This study was performed to analyse the genetic and morphological diversity of the sabellid annel... more This study was performed to analyse the genetic and morphological diversity of the sabellid annelid genus Branchiomma, with special emphasis on a taxon so far identified as Bran-chiomma bairdi. This species, originally described from Bermuda, has frequently been reported as an invader in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific, but recent observations have raised some taxonomic questions. Samples of this taxon were collected from five sites in the Mediterranean Sea, two sites in the original distribution area of B. bairdi in the Gulf of Mexico and four localities in the east Pacific and Atlantic Oceans where B. bairdi has been reported as invasive. The molecular results revealed a conspicuous genetic divergence (18.5% K2P) between the sampled Mediterranean populations and all the other ones that led to a re-evaluation of their morphological characters. The latter showed that the Mediterranean and extra-Mediterranean populations also differ in some discrete morphological and reproductive features. Consequently, the Mediterranean samples were re-designated as B. boholense, another non-indigenous species originally described from Philippines. Branchiomma bairdi and B. boholense differ in body size, development and shape of micro and macrostylodes, size of radiolar eyes and body pigmentation. Genetic diversity was high in B. boholense from the Mediterranean as well as in B. bairdi from the Gulf of Mexico, but low in B. bairdi populations outside their native range. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of connections between the Mediterranean localities as well as between native and introduced B. bairdi populations that focus the attention on the Pan-ama Canal as important passage for the introduction of the species from the Gulf of Mexico to the northeast Pacific Ocean.
Tidal channels are crucial for the functioning of wetlands, though their morphological properties... more Tidal channels are crucial for the functioning of wetlands, though their morphological properties, which are relevant for seafloor habitats and flow, have been understudied so far. Here, we release a dataset composed of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) extracted from a total of 2,500 linear kilometers of high-resolution multibeam echosounder (MBES) data collected in 2013 covering the entire network of tidal channels and inlets of the Venice Lagoon, Italy. The dataset comprises also the backscatter (BS) data, which reflect the acoustic properties of the seafloor, and the tidal current fields simulated by means of a high-resolution three-dimensional unstructured hydrodynamic model. The DTMs and the current fields help define how morphological and benthic properties of tidal channels are affected by the action of currents. These data are of potential broad interest not only to geomorphologists, oceanographers and ecologists studying the morphology, hydrodynamics, sediment transport and benthic habitats of tidal environments, but also to coastal engineers and stakeholders for cost-effective monitoring and sustainable management of this peculiar shallow coastal system.
While many studies of non-native species have examined either soft-bottom or hard-bottom marine c... more While many studies of non-native species have examined either soft-bottom or hard-bottom marine communities, including artificial structures at docks and marinas, formal comparisons across these habitat types are rare. The number of non-indigenous species (NIS) may differ among habitats, due to differences in species delivery (trade history) and susceptibility to invasions. In this study, we quantitatively compared NIS to native species richness and distribution and examined community similarity across hard-bottom and soft-sediment habitats in San Francisco Bay, California (USA). Benthic invertebrates were sampled using settlement panels (hard-bottom habitats) and sediment grabs (soft-bottom habitats) in 13 paired sites, including eight in higher salinity areas and five in lower salinity areas during 2 years. Mean NIS richness was greatest in hard-bottom habitat at high salinity, being significantly higher than each (a) native species at high salinity and (b) NIS richness at low salinity. In contrast, mean NIS richness in soft-bottom communities was not significantly different from native species richness in either high- or low-salinity waters, nor was there a difference in NIS richness between salinities. For hard-bottom communities, NIS represented an average of 79% of total species richness per sample at high salinity and 78% at low salinity, whereas the comparable values for soft bottom were 46 and 60%, respectively. On average, NIS occurred at a significantly higher frequency (percent of samples) than native species for hard-bottom habitats at both salinities, but this was not the case for soft-bottom habitats. Finally, NIS contributed significantly to the existing community structure (dissimilarity) across habitat types and salinities. Our results show that NIS richness and occurrence frequency is highest in hard-bottom and high-salinity habitat for this Bay but also that NIS contribute strongly to species richness and community structure across each habitat evaluated.
Serpulids are an important component of fouling communities. This paper provides an overview of t... more Serpulids are an important component of fouling communities. This paper provides an overview of the serpulid species found in North America, as part of a broader study of fouling invertebrates focused on NIS (non-indigenous species) in United States coastal ecosystems. Almost 4400 serpulid specimens were examined from selected fouling plates. Fouling plates were deployed in 26 bays and coastal lagoons along the continental coasts of the United States and Hawaiian islands, primarily in bays and lagoons with salinities averaging 20‰ or greater. Twenty-fi ve serpulid species were identifi ed, including four new records for the United States (Ficopomatus uschakovi, Hydroides cf. brachyacantha, H. longispinosa and Protula longiseta), three known NIS, two presumed NIS, three cryptogenic serpulids, and several range extensions. Crucigera websteri extends its northward range from Santa Barbara Island to Humboldt Bay, California; Ficopomatus enigmaticus, fi rst recorded in North America from San Francisco, California in 1920, Rockport, Texas in 1952 and Barnegat Bay, New Jersey in 1980, is now recorded at additional localities on the east coast (Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and Indian River, Florida) and the northern Gulf of Mexico (Galveston Bay, Texas); F. miamiensis extends its westward range from Louisiana to Texas; F. uschakovi, an Indo-Pacifi c and Western African species, was recorded formally for the fi rst time from the northern Gulf of Mexico (Galveston Bay and Corpus Christi, Texas) and the east coast of Florida (Jacksonville). Hydroides cf. brachyacantha extends its northward range from Curaҫao to Pensacola Bay, Florida; H. dirampha from Veracruz, Mexico to Corpus Christi, Texas; H. fl oridana extends its westward range from Louisiana to Texas; H. gracilis extends its northward range from Pacifi c Grove to San Francisco,
Clarifying taxonomic status is essential to understanding invasion source and the spread of invas... more Clarifying taxonomic status is essential to understanding invasion source and the spread of invasive species. Here we used barcoding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I to explore the issue in a common fouling invasive species Hydroides dianthus. The species was originally described from off New England, USA, reported along the east coast of North America down to Florida and the Caribbean region, introduced to China, Europe, Japan and West Africa via anthropogenic transport and is now collected in Brazil for the first time. Unlike most congeners, H. dianthus has tolerance for a wide temperature range, being distributed from temperate to subtropical waters. Our results based on 112 specimens collected from 17 localities worldwide confirmed that H. dianthus sensu stricto is indeed a global invader. Observed higher haplotypes diversity in the Mediterranean seems to contradict the currently accepted native range of H. dianthus sensu stricto in the USA. The study also revealed the existence of a potential cryptic species H. cf. dianthus with a genetic distance of 5.6%. The cryptic lineage found in Texas was evidently introduced to the Black Sea only recently. Given that both lineages within H. dianthus are invasive, a greater emphasis on adequate monitoring and management of the routes responsible for introductions of this species is needed.
1.The uncertainty or the provisional status of a taxonomic identification can be expressed by a s... more 1.The uncertainty or the provisional status of a taxonomic identification can be expressed by a set of terms and abbreviations known as Open Nomenclature (ON) qualifiers. This approach is widely applied across biological disciplines, and a high amount of biodiversity data left in ON can be found in literature and databases. However, there is no consensus about ON qualifiers and their meaning.
2.The use of ON qualifiers has been reviewed in order to provide a summary and guide to current practice in zoology. Some recommendation is given to avoid inconsistencies or vagueness. A flowchart is proposed to clarify the sources of uncertainties during identification and to facilitate the application of ON qualifiers.
3.This review provides a guide for taxonomists and ecologists currently involved in biomonitoring and biodiversity programs, as well as for researchers dealing with biodiversity data infrastructures and tools, offering a starting point for a methodological harmonization.
The seafloor of Venice Lagoon channels is a relatively unexplored environment. A first attempt of... more The seafloor of Venice Lagoon channels is a relatively unexplored environment. A first attempt of benthic habitat mapping is presented, based on high resolution acoustic surveys carried out in 2013. Specific protocols were developed and tested on a study site (Scanello channel). Main seafloor features were identified on bathymetries and backscatter data. Ground-truthing included grab samples and photographic surveys. A number of benthic habitats were recognised, including biogenic habitats characterised by high biomass and diversity. Preliminary results and main perspectives are presented.
We propose a new conceptual framework for the interpretation of lagoonal biodiversity. We briefly... more We propose a new conceptual framework for the interpretation of lagoonal biodiversity. We briefly review differences and similarities between classical conceptual models describing benthic community and their diversity along a gradient of organic matter. Consequently, we unified them under the single concept of habitat saprobity. In this view, saprobity is considered as the state of an aquatic ecosystem resulting from the input of organic matter, its biodegradation and the removal of catabolites. In coastal lagoons, these processes are strongly driven by hydrodynamics. Saprobity is then viewed as a structuring and selection factor for species diversity in coastal transitional ecosystems.
ABSTRACT In order to assist decision-makers towards the management of coastal transitional waters... more ABSTRACT In order to assist decision-makers towards the management of coastal transitional waters, we tested the potential of three benthic indices (AMBI, M-AMBI and BITS) in hundreds stations from Italian CTEs, from the Northern Adriatic to Sardinia. Our study highlights i) a high correlation between AMBI and BITS results, despite the different level of taxonomic identification needed, ii) a high correlation between M-AMBI and species’ diversity and richness, iii) that M-AMBI overweights the number of species since in its calculation they are counted twice, iv) that M-AMBI acts as a “diversity-corrected AMBI”, and, thus, v) it suffers of the reduction of species number along the transitional gradient. This study suggests that in such environments M-AMBI classification seems unable to capture some peculiarities of benthic assemblages in transitional waters. The unmodified use of these indices might impair accurate assessment of ecological quality status and decision-making on the managers’ point of view.
Sabellidae are among the most visible polychaetes of the hard substrate fouling communities and a... more Sabellidae are among the most visible polychaetes of the hard substrate fouling communities and are colonizing new geographic areas. The fouling community was surveyed in 25 shallow coastal estuaries on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States with the specific goal of detecting non–indigenous species. During surveys in 2012 and 2014, specimens of Branchiomma coheni Tovar-Hernández and Knight-Jones, 2006 were found for the first time in Tampa Bay, Florida, occurring at the same marina site (27°53'7.58"N, 82°32'2.29"W) each year and suggesting it is established here. The species was not detected at other sites surveyed in the United States, and has not been reported from the eastern Atlantic or the Mediterranean basin. Type material of B. coheni, specimens from southern Gulf of California, and specimens from the Pacific coast of Mexico, were used to corroborate identification. The transfer of this species by ships via the Panama Canal is a probable mechanism of introduction, based on the current known distribution and shipping traffic patterns. This represents the first record of the species in the Atlantic Ocean. A worldwide update of the records of this species and a list of valid species of the genus Branchiomma with notes on introduced populations are provided, as well as recommendations for accurate identification and sampling.
Several individuals of Paranthura japonica, a non-indigenous isopod species, recently recorded on... more Several individuals of Paranthura japonica, a non-indigenous isopod species, recently recorded on Italian coasts, have been collected from the Mar Piccolo basin, Taranto (Italy). This finding extends the distributional range of the species southwards in the Mediterranean, including a semi-enclosed coastal basin, which is considered the second Italian hotspot for the introduction of alien species. The characteristics of the place reinforce the hypothesis that its introduction is linked to shellfish trade and farming. Remarks on the morphology and ecology are included.
Polychaetes represent one of the most diversified and abundant taxa associated with seagrass mead... more Polychaetes represent one of the most diversified and abundant taxa associated with seagrass meadows. These organisms show various feeding habits at different levels of the complex seagrass food web, representing suitable bioindicators of meadow structure and environmental status and disturbances. Ocean acidification (OA) is today considered one of the most pervasive stressors for marine biota at the level of species, communities and ecosystems. Naturally acidified systems, such as CO2 vents, represent suitable natural laboratories to study the effects of OA on benthic organisms. An analysis of polychaetes associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows located around shallow CO2 vents off the island of Ischia, is presented here. Polychaetes were collected in November 2011 with an airlift sampler (40x40 cm; 4 replicates per station) along a gradient of OA at the Castello's vent system at six stations (3 on the south and 3 on the north side), ranging from extreme low pH conditions (mean pH 7.5 occurring only on the south side) to control, normal pH conditions (8.12); a further control station was considered, 600 m from the Castello in similar environmental conditions and ambient pH (S. Anna meadow). A total of 99 taxa and about 4200 individual polychaetes were collected. Taxa richness showed higher values in the acidified stations, especially on the south side; similarly abundances were from two-to four-fold higher under low and extreme low pH conditions, in respect to control ones, due to relatively few dominant taxa. These are represented by Amphiglena mediterranea, Syllis gerlachi, S. prolifera, Exogone dispar, Sphaerosyllis pirifera, Polyophthalmus pictus and Kefersteinia cirrata. Multivariate analysis showed a separation between control and low pH assemblages and a separation between low pH and the extreme low pH site on the south side. Control stations showed higher variability among replicates, while acidified stations, especially those under extreme low pH conditions, showed a more homogeneous assemblage structure. These results demonstrate that many species of polychaetes are robust to OA, however, the high seagrass shoot density, occurring at acidified stations, may buffer the negative effect of this stressor on the biota, and explain both the high diversity and abundance observed there.
The Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) network, now a global reality, was founded on a
combinat... more The Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) network, now a global reality, was founded on a
combination of long-term ecological studies, short-term experiments, and comparisons among sites
and eco-domains.
The LTER-Italy network was officially established as a formal member of the LTER international
network in 2006, following a wider on-going process in Europe; it currently consists of 22 sites
representing the main ecosystem typologies of Italy. Four coastal transitional ecosystem sites are
included in the LTER-Italy network: on the northern Peninsula, these include the Venice Lagoon and
the lagoons of the Po River Delta, which are characterized by a temperate climate and the influence
of tides; and in the southern sector, these include the coastal ecosystems of Sardinia and the Mar
Piccolo of Taranto, which are characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the absence of sensible
tides.
In this paper, we present and discuss three main issues: (1) the LTER-International and LTER-Europe
context, emphasising the most practical issues and activities that must be addressed for the effective
organization and maintenance of LTER networks; (2) the history, structure, and perspectives of
the national LTER-Italy network; and (3) the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses related to
participation of the LTER-Italy network in the study of coastal transitional ecosystems.
M-AMBI is a multimetric index for assessing the ecological quality status of marine and transitio... more M-AMBI is a multimetric index for assessing the ecological quality status of marine and transitional waters. It is based on benthic macroinvertebrates and integrates AMBI, a biotic index based on species sensitivity/tolerance, with diversity and richness, making it compliant with the European Water Framework Directive. The success of AMBI paved the way for the introduction of M-AMBI, which was subsequently incorporated into the regulations of several European countries. The M-AMBI algorithm integrates the metrics by means of factor analysis (FA). In this paper, we first reproduced the algorithm using the open source R software. This enabled us to point out that FA is not functional to M-AMBI, and its omission does not appreciably change the results. We then enhanced the applicability of the index, making it independent of the number of samples. In this way, M-AMBI is closely approximated by the simple mean of the normalised metrics with no need for multivariate techniques. Finally, we further simplified the approach, presenting a bivariate version that is still highly correlated with M-AMBI, in which the constitutive metrics are reduced to a diversity measure and a species sensitivity index. The properties of this bivariate version include simplicity, transparency, robustness, and openness.
This article reports the first record of the Nudibranch Polycera hedgpethi in the Lagoon of Venic... more This article reports the first record of the Nudibranch Polycera hedgpethi in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy), as well as its established presence in the Mediterranean Sea after its first record in 1986 in lake Fusaro (Naples). In less than 50 years P. hedgpethi has spread throughout the world's temperate and subtropical waters, preferring protected coastal environments and other semi-enclosed coastal water bodies such as ports, harbours and lagoons. Shipping is the most likely vector. The species distribution shows a temperate–subtropical range, at about 7–45° of latitude both North and South. Polycera hedgpethi was collected during a survey in 2009 and its presence confirmed for the following two years. All individuals collected were found attached to the bryozoan Bugula neritina, to which it is linked trophically, suggesting a determined pattern of distribution. The present finding is the northernmost record for the species.
This study was performed to analyse the genetic and morphological diversity of the sabellid annel... more This study was performed to analyse the genetic and morphological diversity of the sabellid annelid genus Branchiomma, with special emphasis on a taxon so far identified as Bran-chiomma bairdi. This species, originally described from Bermuda, has frequently been reported as an invader in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific, but recent observations have raised some taxonomic questions. Samples of this taxon were collected from five sites in the Mediterranean Sea, two sites in the original distribution area of B. bairdi in the Gulf of Mexico and four localities in the east Pacific and Atlantic Oceans where B. bairdi has been reported as invasive. The molecular results revealed a conspicuous genetic divergence (18.5% K2P) between the sampled Mediterranean populations and all the other ones that led to a re-evaluation of their morphological characters. The latter showed that the Mediterranean and extra-Mediterranean populations also differ in some discrete morphological and reproductive features. Consequently, the Mediterranean samples were re-designated as B. boholense, another non-indigenous species originally described from Philippines. Branchiomma bairdi and B. boholense differ in body size, development and shape of micro and macrostylodes, size of radiolar eyes and body pigmentation. Genetic diversity was high in B. boholense from the Mediterranean as well as in B. bairdi from the Gulf of Mexico, but low in B. bairdi populations outside their native range. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of connections between the Mediterranean localities as well as between native and introduced B. bairdi populations that focus the attention on the Pan-ama Canal as important passage for the introduction of the species from the Gulf of Mexico to the northeast Pacific Ocean.
Tidal channels are crucial for the functioning of wetlands, though their morphological properties... more Tidal channels are crucial for the functioning of wetlands, though their morphological properties, which are relevant for seafloor habitats and flow, have been understudied so far. Here, we release a dataset composed of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) extracted from a total of 2,500 linear kilometers of high-resolution multibeam echosounder (MBES) data collected in 2013 covering the entire network of tidal channels and inlets of the Venice Lagoon, Italy. The dataset comprises also the backscatter (BS) data, which reflect the acoustic properties of the seafloor, and the tidal current fields simulated by means of a high-resolution three-dimensional unstructured hydrodynamic model. The DTMs and the current fields help define how morphological and benthic properties of tidal channels are affected by the action of currents. These data are of potential broad interest not only to geomorphologists, oceanographers and ecologists studying the morphology, hydrodynamics, sediment transport and benthic habitats of tidal environments, but also to coastal engineers and stakeholders for cost-effective monitoring and sustainable management of this peculiar shallow coastal system.
While many studies of non-native species have examined either soft-bottom or hard-bottom marine c... more While many studies of non-native species have examined either soft-bottom or hard-bottom marine communities, including artificial structures at docks and marinas, formal comparisons across these habitat types are rare. The number of non-indigenous species (NIS) may differ among habitats, due to differences in species delivery (trade history) and susceptibility to invasions. In this study, we quantitatively compared NIS to native species richness and distribution and examined community similarity across hard-bottom and soft-sediment habitats in San Francisco Bay, California (USA). Benthic invertebrates were sampled using settlement panels (hard-bottom habitats) and sediment grabs (soft-bottom habitats) in 13 paired sites, including eight in higher salinity areas and five in lower salinity areas during 2 years. Mean NIS richness was greatest in hard-bottom habitat at high salinity, being significantly higher than each (a) native species at high salinity and (b) NIS richness at low salinity. In contrast, mean NIS richness in soft-bottom communities was not significantly different from native species richness in either high- or low-salinity waters, nor was there a difference in NIS richness between salinities. For hard-bottom communities, NIS represented an average of 79% of total species richness per sample at high salinity and 78% at low salinity, whereas the comparable values for soft bottom were 46 and 60%, respectively. On average, NIS occurred at a significantly higher frequency (percent of samples) than native species for hard-bottom habitats at both salinities, but this was not the case for soft-bottom habitats. Finally, NIS contributed significantly to the existing community structure (dissimilarity) across habitat types and salinities. Our results show that NIS richness and occurrence frequency is highest in hard-bottom and high-salinity habitat for this Bay but also that NIS contribute strongly to species richness and community structure across each habitat evaluated.
Serpulids are an important component of fouling communities. This paper provides an overview of t... more Serpulids are an important component of fouling communities. This paper provides an overview of the serpulid species found in North America, as part of a broader study of fouling invertebrates focused on NIS (non-indigenous species) in United States coastal ecosystems. Almost 4400 serpulid specimens were examined from selected fouling plates. Fouling plates were deployed in 26 bays and coastal lagoons along the continental coasts of the United States and Hawaiian islands, primarily in bays and lagoons with salinities averaging 20‰ or greater. Twenty-fi ve serpulid species were identifi ed, including four new records for the United States (Ficopomatus uschakovi, Hydroides cf. brachyacantha, H. longispinosa and Protula longiseta), three known NIS, two presumed NIS, three cryptogenic serpulids, and several range extensions. Crucigera websteri extends its northward range from Santa Barbara Island to Humboldt Bay, California; Ficopomatus enigmaticus, fi rst recorded in North America from San Francisco, California in 1920, Rockport, Texas in 1952 and Barnegat Bay, New Jersey in 1980, is now recorded at additional localities on the east coast (Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and Indian River, Florida) and the northern Gulf of Mexico (Galveston Bay, Texas); F. miamiensis extends its westward range from Louisiana to Texas; F. uschakovi, an Indo-Pacifi c and Western African species, was recorded formally for the fi rst time from the northern Gulf of Mexico (Galveston Bay and Corpus Christi, Texas) and the east coast of Florida (Jacksonville). Hydroides cf. brachyacantha extends its northward range from Curaҫao to Pensacola Bay, Florida; H. dirampha from Veracruz, Mexico to Corpus Christi, Texas; H. fl oridana extends its westward range from Louisiana to Texas; H. gracilis extends its northward range from Pacifi c Grove to San Francisco,
Clarifying taxonomic status is essential to understanding invasion source and the spread of invas... more Clarifying taxonomic status is essential to understanding invasion source and the spread of invasive species. Here we used barcoding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I to explore the issue in a common fouling invasive species Hydroides dianthus. The species was originally described from off New England, USA, reported along the east coast of North America down to Florida and the Caribbean region, introduced to China, Europe, Japan and West Africa via anthropogenic transport and is now collected in Brazil for the first time. Unlike most congeners, H. dianthus has tolerance for a wide temperature range, being distributed from temperate to subtropical waters. Our results based on 112 specimens collected from 17 localities worldwide confirmed that H. dianthus sensu stricto is indeed a global invader. Observed higher haplotypes diversity in the Mediterranean seems to contradict the currently accepted native range of H. dianthus sensu stricto in the USA. The study also revealed the existence of a potential cryptic species H. cf. dianthus with a genetic distance of 5.6%. The cryptic lineage found in Texas was evidently introduced to the Black Sea only recently. Given that both lineages within H. dianthus are invasive, a greater emphasis on adequate monitoring and management of the routes responsible for introductions of this species is needed.
1.The uncertainty or the provisional status of a taxonomic identification can be expressed by a s... more 1.The uncertainty or the provisional status of a taxonomic identification can be expressed by a set of terms and abbreviations known as Open Nomenclature (ON) qualifiers. This approach is widely applied across biological disciplines, and a high amount of biodiversity data left in ON can be found in literature and databases. However, there is no consensus about ON qualifiers and their meaning.
2.The use of ON qualifiers has been reviewed in order to provide a summary and guide to current practice in zoology. Some recommendation is given to avoid inconsistencies or vagueness. A flowchart is proposed to clarify the sources of uncertainties during identification and to facilitate the application of ON qualifiers.
3.This review provides a guide for taxonomists and ecologists currently involved in biomonitoring and biodiversity programs, as well as for researchers dealing with biodiversity data infrastructures and tools, offering a starting point for a methodological harmonization.
The seafloor of Venice Lagoon channels is a relatively unexplored environment. A first attempt of... more The seafloor of Venice Lagoon channels is a relatively unexplored environment. A first attempt of benthic habitat mapping is presented, based on high resolution acoustic surveys carried out in 2013. Specific protocols were developed and tested on a study site (Scanello channel). Main seafloor features were identified on bathymetries and backscatter data. Ground-truthing included grab samples and photographic surveys. A number of benthic habitats were recognised, including biogenic habitats characterised by high biomass and diversity. Preliminary results and main perspectives are presented.
We propose a new conceptual framework for the interpretation of lagoonal biodiversity. We briefly... more We propose a new conceptual framework for the interpretation of lagoonal biodiversity. We briefly review differences and similarities between classical conceptual models describing benthic community and their diversity along a gradient of organic matter. Consequently, we unified them under the single concept of habitat saprobity. In this view, saprobity is considered as the state of an aquatic ecosystem resulting from the input of organic matter, its biodegradation and the removal of catabolites. In coastal lagoons, these processes are strongly driven by hydrodynamics. Saprobity is then viewed as a structuring and selection factor for species diversity in coastal transitional ecosystems.
ABSTRACT In order to assist decision-makers towards the management of coastal transitional waters... more ABSTRACT In order to assist decision-makers towards the management of coastal transitional waters, we tested the potential of three benthic indices (AMBI, M-AMBI and BITS) in hundreds stations from Italian CTEs, from the Northern Adriatic to Sardinia. Our study highlights i) a high correlation between AMBI and BITS results, despite the different level of taxonomic identification needed, ii) a high correlation between M-AMBI and species’ diversity and richness, iii) that M-AMBI overweights the number of species since in its calculation they are counted twice, iv) that M-AMBI acts as a “diversity-corrected AMBI”, and, thus, v) it suffers of the reduction of species number along the transitional gradient. This study suggests that in such environments M-AMBI classification seems unable to capture some peculiarities of benthic assemblages in transitional waters. The unmodified use of these indices might impair accurate assessment of ecological quality status and decision-making on the managers’ point of view.
Sabellidae are among the most visible polychaetes of the hard substrate fouling communities and a... more Sabellidae are among the most visible polychaetes of the hard substrate fouling communities and are colonizing new geographic areas. The fouling community was surveyed in 25 shallow coastal estuaries on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States with the specific goal of detecting non–indigenous species. During surveys in 2012 and 2014, specimens of Branchiomma coheni Tovar-Hernández and Knight-Jones, 2006 were found for the first time in Tampa Bay, Florida, occurring at the same marina site (27°53'7.58"N, 82°32'2.29"W) each year and suggesting it is established here. The species was not detected at other sites surveyed in the United States, and has not been reported from the eastern Atlantic or the Mediterranean basin. Type material of B. coheni, specimens from southern Gulf of California, and specimens from the Pacific coast of Mexico, were used to corroborate identification. The transfer of this species by ships via the Panama Canal is a probable mechanism of introduction, based on the current known distribution and shipping traffic patterns. This represents the first record of the species in the Atlantic Ocean. A worldwide update of the records of this species and a list of valid species of the genus Branchiomma with notes on introduced populations are provided, as well as recommendations for accurate identification and sampling.
Several individuals of Paranthura japonica, a non-indigenous isopod species, recently recorded on... more Several individuals of Paranthura japonica, a non-indigenous isopod species, recently recorded on Italian coasts, have been collected from the Mar Piccolo basin, Taranto (Italy). This finding extends the distributional range of the species southwards in the Mediterranean, including a semi-enclosed coastal basin, which is considered the second Italian hotspot for the introduction of alien species. The characteristics of the place reinforce the hypothesis that its introduction is linked to shellfish trade and farming. Remarks on the morphology and ecology are included.
Polychaetes represent one of the most diversified and abundant taxa associated with seagrass mead... more Polychaetes represent one of the most diversified and abundant taxa associated with seagrass meadows. These organisms show various feeding habits at different levels of the complex seagrass food web, representing suitable bioindicators of meadow structure and environmental status and disturbances. Ocean acidification (OA) is today considered one of the most pervasive stressors for marine biota at the level of species, communities and ecosystems. Naturally acidified systems, such as CO2 vents, represent suitable natural laboratories to study the effects of OA on benthic organisms. An analysis of polychaetes associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows located around shallow CO2 vents off the island of Ischia, is presented here. Polychaetes were collected in November 2011 with an airlift sampler (40x40 cm; 4 replicates per station) along a gradient of OA at the Castello's vent system at six stations (3 on the south and 3 on the north side), ranging from extreme low pH conditions (mean pH 7.5 occurring only on the south side) to control, normal pH conditions (8.12); a further control station was considered, 600 m from the Castello in similar environmental conditions and ambient pH (S. Anna meadow). A total of 99 taxa and about 4200 individual polychaetes were collected. Taxa richness showed higher values in the acidified stations, especially on the south side; similarly abundances were from two-to four-fold higher under low and extreme low pH conditions, in respect to control ones, due to relatively few dominant taxa. These are represented by Amphiglena mediterranea, Syllis gerlachi, S. prolifera, Exogone dispar, Sphaerosyllis pirifera, Polyophthalmus pictus and Kefersteinia cirrata. Multivariate analysis showed a separation between control and low pH assemblages and a separation between low pH and the extreme low pH site on the south side. Control stations showed higher variability among replicates, while acidified stations, especially those under extreme low pH conditions, showed a more homogeneous assemblage structure. These results demonstrate that many species of polychaetes are robust to OA, however, the high seagrass shoot density, occurring at acidified stations, may buffer the negative effect of this stressor on the biota, and explain both the high diversity and abundance observed there.
The Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) network, now a global reality, was founded on a
combinat... more The Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) network, now a global reality, was founded on a
combination of long-term ecological studies, short-term experiments, and comparisons among sites
and eco-domains.
The LTER-Italy network was officially established as a formal member of the LTER international
network in 2006, following a wider on-going process in Europe; it currently consists of 22 sites
representing the main ecosystem typologies of Italy. Four coastal transitional ecosystem sites are
included in the LTER-Italy network: on the northern Peninsula, these include the Venice Lagoon and
the lagoons of the Po River Delta, which are characterized by a temperate climate and the influence
of tides; and in the southern sector, these include the coastal ecosystems of Sardinia and the Mar
Piccolo of Taranto, which are characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the absence of sensible
tides.
In this paper, we present and discuss three main issues: (1) the LTER-International and LTER-Europe
context, emphasising the most practical issues and activities that must be addressed for the effective
organization and maintenance of LTER networks; (2) the history, structure, and perspectives of
the national LTER-Italy network; and (3) the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses related to
participation of the LTER-Italy network in the study of coastal transitional ecosystems.
M-AMBI is a multimetric index for assessing the ecological quality status of marine and transitio... more M-AMBI is a multimetric index for assessing the ecological quality status of marine and transitional waters. It is based on benthic macroinvertebrates and integrates AMBI, a biotic index based on species sensitivity/tolerance, with diversity and richness, making it compliant with the European Water Framework Directive. The success of AMBI paved the way for the introduction of M-AMBI, which was subsequently incorporated into the regulations of several European countries. The M-AMBI algorithm integrates the metrics by means of factor analysis (FA). In this paper, we first reproduced the algorithm using the open source R software. This enabled us to point out that FA is not functional to M-AMBI, and its omission does not appreciably change the results. We then enhanced the applicability of the index, making it independent of the number of samples. In this way, M-AMBI is closely approximated by the simple mean of the normalised metrics with no need for multivariate techniques. Finally, we further simplified the approach, presenting a bivariate version that is still highly correlated with M-AMBI, in which the constitutive metrics are reduced to a diversity measure and a species sensitivity index. The properties of this bivariate version include simplicity, transparency, robustness, and openness.
This article reports the first record of the Nudibranch Polycera hedgpethi in the Lagoon of Venic... more This article reports the first record of the Nudibranch Polycera hedgpethi in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy), as well as its established presence in the Mediterranean Sea after its first record in 1986 in lake Fusaro (Naples). In less than 50 years P. hedgpethi has spread throughout the world's temperate and subtropical waters, preferring protected coastal environments and other semi-enclosed coastal water bodies such as ports, harbours and lagoons. Shipping is the most likely vector. The species distribution shows a temperate–subtropical range, at about 7–45° of latitude both North and South. Polycera hedgpethi was collected during a survey in 2009 and its presence confirmed for the following two years. All individuals collected were found attached to the bryozoan Bugula neritina, to which it is linked trophically, suggesting a determined pattern of distribution. The present finding is the northernmost record for the species.
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Papers by ERICA KEPPEL
2.The use of ON qualifiers has been reviewed in order to provide a summary and guide to current practice in zoology. Some recommendation is given to avoid inconsistencies or vagueness. A flowchart is proposed to clarify the sources of uncertainties during identification and to facilitate the application of ON qualifiers.
3.This review provides a guide for taxonomists and ecologists currently involved in biomonitoring and biodiversity programs, as well as for researchers dealing with biodiversity data infrastructures and tools, offering a starting point for a methodological harmonization.
the United States with the specific goal of detecting non–indigenous species. During surveys in 2012 and 2014, specimens of Branchiomma coheni Tovar-Hernández and Knight-Jones, 2006 were found for the first time in Tampa Bay, Florida, occurring at the same marina site (27°53'7.58"N, 82°32'2.29"W) each year and suggesting it is established here. The species was not detected at other sites surveyed in the United States, and has not been reported from the eastern Atlantic or the Mediterranean basin. Type material of B. coheni, specimens from southern Gulf of California, and specimens from the Pacific coast of Mexico, were used to corroborate identification. The transfer of this species by ships via the Panama Canal is a probable mechanism of introduction, based on the current known distribution and shipping traffic patterns. This represents the first record of the species in the Atlantic Ocean. A worldwide update of the records of this species and a list of valid species of the genus Branchiomma with notes on introduced populations are provided, as well as recommendations for accurate identification and sampling.
combination of long-term ecological studies, short-term experiments, and comparisons among sites
and eco-domains.
The LTER-Italy network was officially established as a formal member of the LTER international
network in 2006, following a wider on-going process in Europe; it currently consists of 22 sites
representing the main ecosystem typologies of Italy. Four coastal transitional ecosystem sites are
included in the LTER-Italy network: on the northern Peninsula, these include the Venice Lagoon and
the lagoons of the Po River Delta, which are characterized by a temperate climate and the influence
of tides; and in the southern sector, these include the coastal ecosystems of Sardinia and the Mar
Piccolo of Taranto, which are characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the absence of sensible
tides.
In this paper, we present and discuss three main issues: (1) the LTER-International and LTER-Europe
context, emphasising the most practical issues and activities that must be addressed for the effective
organization and maintenance of LTER networks; (2) the history, structure, and perspectives of
the national LTER-Italy network; and (3) the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses related to
participation of the LTER-Italy network in the study of coastal transitional ecosystems.
2.The use of ON qualifiers has been reviewed in order to provide a summary and guide to current practice in zoology. Some recommendation is given to avoid inconsistencies or vagueness. A flowchart is proposed to clarify the sources of uncertainties during identification and to facilitate the application of ON qualifiers.
3.This review provides a guide for taxonomists and ecologists currently involved in biomonitoring and biodiversity programs, as well as for researchers dealing with biodiversity data infrastructures and tools, offering a starting point for a methodological harmonization.
the United States with the specific goal of detecting non–indigenous species. During surveys in 2012 and 2014, specimens of Branchiomma coheni Tovar-Hernández and Knight-Jones, 2006 were found for the first time in Tampa Bay, Florida, occurring at the same marina site (27°53'7.58"N, 82°32'2.29"W) each year and suggesting it is established here. The species was not detected at other sites surveyed in the United States, and has not been reported from the eastern Atlantic or the Mediterranean basin. Type material of B. coheni, specimens from southern Gulf of California, and specimens from the Pacific coast of Mexico, were used to corroborate identification. The transfer of this species by ships via the Panama Canal is a probable mechanism of introduction, based on the current known distribution and shipping traffic patterns. This represents the first record of the species in the Atlantic Ocean. A worldwide update of the records of this species and a list of valid species of the genus Branchiomma with notes on introduced populations are provided, as well as recommendations for accurate identification and sampling.
combination of long-term ecological studies, short-term experiments, and comparisons among sites
and eco-domains.
The LTER-Italy network was officially established as a formal member of the LTER international
network in 2006, following a wider on-going process in Europe; it currently consists of 22 sites
representing the main ecosystem typologies of Italy. Four coastal transitional ecosystem sites are
included in the LTER-Italy network: on the northern Peninsula, these include the Venice Lagoon and
the lagoons of the Po River Delta, which are characterized by a temperate climate and the influence
of tides; and in the southern sector, these include the coastal ecosystems of Sardinia and the Mar
Piccolo of Taranto, which are characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the absence of sensible
tides.
In this paper, we present and discuss three main issues: (1) the LTER-International and LTER-Europe
context, emphasising the most practical issues and activities that must be addressed for the effective
organization and maintenance of LTER networks; (2) the history, structure, and perspectives of
the national LTER-Italy network; and (3) the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses related to
participation of the LTER-Italy network in the study of coastal transitional ecosystems.