scholarly journals Morphological Traits and Capture Depth of the Norwegian Skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis (Storm, 1881)) from Two Mediterranean Populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1462
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Carbonara ◽  
Andrea Bellodi ◽  
Walter Zupa ◽  
Marilena Donnaloia ◽  
Palma Gaudio ◽  
...  

The Norwegian skate Dipturus nidarosiensis (Storm, 1881) has only recently been recorded in the western-central Mediterranean Sea. It was hypothesized a more ancient presence of the species, which has not been detected due to a misidentification with other species of the same genus. This situation could lead to underestimate the risk of a dramatic decline of the spawning stock. In the IUCN Red List, the species is listed as near threatened and considered rare in both the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean areas. In the Mediterranean Sea, Norwegian skates were repeatedly caught mostly in two areas between 2005 and 2020: Sardinia Seas and Adriatic-Ionian Seas. In total, 58 specimens were caught, and 28 morphological length measurements were taken on all specimens. The Canonical Discriminant Analysis proved the presence of significant differences only for assemblages made on the basis of the specimen’s area of capture, but not on the basis of sex or ontogenetic development. This analysis could be the first step to highlight the differences between the populations of Norwegian skate in the Mediterranean basin. Moreover, a preliminary analysis of depth of capture was performed as a first step to study this species vertical distribution.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Vaccher ◽  
Stefano Furlani ◽  
Sara Biolchi ◽  
Chiara Boccali ◽  
Alice Busetti ◽  
...  

<p>The Mediterranean basin displays a variety of neotectonics scenarios leading to positive or negative vertical displacement, which change the vertical position of former coastlines. As a result, the best locations to evaluate former sea levels and validate sea-level models are tectonically stable areas. There are a number of coastal areas considered to be stable based on the elevation of paleo sea-level markers, the absence of historical seismicity, and by their position far from major Mediterranean faults. We report here the results of swim surveys carried out at such locations following the Geoswim approach described by Furlani (2020) in nine coastal sectors of the central Mediterranean Sea (Egadi Island - Marettimo, Favignana, Levanzo, Gaeta Promontory, Circeo Promontory, North Sardinia - Razzoli, Budelli, Santa Maria, NW Sardinia – Capocaccia, Maddalena Archipelago, Tavolara Island, East of Malta - Ahrax Point, Bugibba-Qawra, Delimara, Addura, Palermo, Ansedonia Promontory). All the sites are considered to be tectonically stable, as validated by the elevation of sea-level indicators. In fact, modern and MIS5.5 (last interglacial) m.s.l. altitudes fit well with accepted figures based upon field data and model projections. Starting from precise morphometric parameters such as the size of tidal notches and indicative landforms and biological structures, we have developed a procedure that integrates multiple geomorphological and biological descriptors applicable to the vast spectrum of locally diverse coastal situations occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. We took detailed measurements of features such as modern and MIS5.5 tidal notches at 146 sites in all the areas, the absence of modern tidal notch at Circeo promontory, shore platforms, and MIS5.5 marine terraces at Egadi islands, Malta, and Palermo. Biological structures were also measured. In particular, vermetid platforms at Egadi, Palermo and Malta. The morphometric characteristics of these indicators depend on 1) local geological and structural constraints, 2) local geomorphotypes, 3) climate, sea, and weather conditions that affect geomorphic and biological processes, and 4) the sea level change history.</p>


2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. MIFSUD ◽  
M. TAVIANI ◽  
S. STOHR

The MARCOS cruise, which took place in the South Central Mediterranean Sea on board the RV ‘Urania’, resulted in the collection of 27 species of Echinodermata from shallow to bathyal depths, many from around Malta (the Fisheries Management Zone). The fauna is represented by common to rare taxa already reported from the Mediterranean with the exception of the amphi-Atlantic ophiuroid Ophiotreta valenciennesi rufescens (Koehler, 1896), recorded from the Mediterranean Basin for the first time. Odontaster mediterraneus (von Marenzeller, 1893) and Luidia sarsi Lutken, 1858 are also first records for the Maltese Islands.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 307-315
Author(s):  
Özgür Güçlü ◽  
Bülent Bozdoğan

The Nile soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis) is distributed between Dalyan and Samandağ throughout the Mediterranean coast in Turkey. The Mediterranean subpopulation of the Nile soft-shelled turtle is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List Categories. This investigation aimed to determinate levels of genetic variations and patterns of genetic structures among Mediterranean populations in Turkey by using T. triunguis-specific microsatellite primers. A total of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci were studied among samples of 121 individuals collected from five populations in Turkey. Of 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci used, 3 new were identified in this study. The genetic differentiation among the 5 studied populations of T. triunguis was significant (p 0.001). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that genetic variations occurred mainly within populations (89.7%) rather than among populations (10.3%). Structure analysis showed presence of two main groups among the Mediterranean T. triunguis populations. However genetic variations among populations were not correlated with geographic distance between the locations. Analysis of data showed that one of the populations (Dalyan) had undergone a bottleneck effect. Migration analysis indicates that T. triunguis migrates between five Mediterranean populations in Turkey. We concluded that based on our results the status of ‘critically endangered’ of T. triunguis should be maintained. Long term population genetic survey studies should be undertaken and changes in habitats of T. triunguis populations, as well as their population size and structure should be monitored for each population to be able to establish a clear strategy for protection of T. triunguis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Débora Silva Raposo ◽  
Raphaël Morard ◽  
Christiane Schmidt ◽  
Michal Kucera

<p>In recent decades the “Lessepsian” migration caused a rapid change in the marine community composition due to the invasion of alien species from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean Sea. Among these invaders is the large benthic foraminifera <em>Amphistegina lobifera</em>, a diatom-bearing species that recently reached the invasion front in Sicily. There it copes with colder winters and broader temperature than in its original source, the Red Sea. It is not yet known how (or if) the population from the invasion front has developed adaptation to this new thermal regime. Understanding the modern marine invasive patterns is a crucial tool to predict future invasive successes in marine environments. Therefore, in this study we aim to evaluate the physiological responses to cold temperatures of <em>A. lobifera</em> populations at three different invasive stages: source (Red Sea), early invader (Eastern Mediterranean) and invasion front (Sicily). For this, we conducted a culturing experiment in which we monitored the responses of the foraminifera (growth, motility) to temperatures of 10, 13, 16, 19°C + control (25°C) over four weeks. To address what is the role of their endosymbionts in the adaptation process, we also monitored their photosynthetic activity (Pulse Amplitude Modulation - PAM fluorometer) during the experiment. The growth rate of the foraminifera was reduced for all populations below 19°C as well as the motility, reduced until 16°C and dropping to zero below 13°C. The response of the endosymbionts was however different. There was a reduced photosynthetic activity of the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean populations at colder temperatures observed by the lower maximum quantum yield (Fv:Fm) and effective quantum yield (Y(II)), when compared to their initial levels and to the other treatments. In the meantime, the endosymbionts of the Sicily population stood out with the highest photosynthetic activity (Fv:Fm and Y(II)) in the treatments bellow 13 °C (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we observed that while the host responses were similar between the three populations, the endosymbionts from the invasion front population shows the best performance at colder temperatures. This suggests that the photo-symbiosis has an important role in adaptation, most likely being a key factor to the success of past and future migrations.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-218
Author(s):  
Carlo Pipitone ◽  
Gianni Insacco ◽  
Daniela Massi ◽  
Bruno Zava

Two specimens of the uncommon calappid crab Calappa tuerkayana Pastore, 1995 are reported from the central Mediterranean. One juvenile individual was caught in a trawl net at about 105 m depth on a detritus bottom, and one adult male was caught in a trammel net at 50 m depth in a similar habitat. Details about carapace ornamentation and fresh color of the adult, which complement previous descriptions are provided. Family Calappidae includes four species in the Mediterranean Sea. C. tuerkayana has been recorded a few times from its known geographic range. These are the southernmost records to date.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (17) ◽  
pp. 11123-11142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc D. Mallet ◽  
Barbara D'Anna ◽  
Aurélie Même ◽  
Maria Chiara Bove ◽  
Federico Cassola ◽  
...  

Abstract. Measurements of aerosol composition and size distributions were taken during the summer of 2013 at the remote island of Lampedusa in the southern central Mediterranean Sea. These measurements were part of the ChArMEx/ADRIMED (Chemistry and Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment/Aerosol Direct Radiative Forcing on the Mediterranean Climate) framework and took place during Special Observation Period 1a (SOP-1a) from 11 June to 5 July 2013. From compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (cToF-AMS) measurements in the size range below 1 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM1), particles were predominately comprised of ammonium and sulfate. On average, ammonium sulfate contributed 63 % to the non-refractory PM1 mass, followed by organics (33 %). The organic aerosol was generally very highly oxidized (f44 values were typically between 0.25 and 0.26). The contribution of ammonium sulfate was generally higher than organic aerosol in comparison to measurements taken in the western Mediterranean but is consistent with studies undertaken in the eastern basin. Source apportionment of organics using a statistical (positive matrix factorization) model revealed four factors: a hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA), a methanesulfonic-acid-related oxygenated organic aerosol (MSA-OOA), a more oxidized oxygenated organic aerosol (MO-OOA) and a less oxidized oxygenated organic aerosol (LO-OOA). The MO-OOA was the dominant factor for most of the campaign (53 % of the PM1 OA mass). It was well correlated with SO42-, highly oxidized and generally more dominant during easterly air masses originating from the eastern Mediterranean and central Europe. The LO-OOA factor had a very similar composition to the MO-OOA factor but was more prevalent during westerly winds, with air masses originating from the Atlantic Ocean, the western Mediterranean and at high altitudes over France and Spain from mistral winds. The MSA-OOA factor contributed an average 12 % to the PM1 OA and was more dominant during the mistral winds. The HOA, representing observed primary organic aerosol, only contributed 8 % of the average PM1 OA during the campaign. Even though Lampedusa is one of the most remote sites in the Mediterranean, PM1 concentrations (10 ± 5 µg m−3) were comparable to those observed in coastal cities and sites closer to continental Europe. Cleaner conditions corresponded to higher wind speeds. Nucleation and growth of new aerosol particles was observed during periods of north-westerly winds. From a climatology analysis from 1999 to 2012, these periods were much more prevalent during the measurement campaign than during the preceding 13 years. These results support previous findings that highlight the importance of different large-scale synoptic conditions in determining the regional and local aerosol composition and oxidation and also suggest that a non-polluted surface atmosphere over the Mediterranean is rare.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinet ◽  
Bigot ◽  
Petrucci ◽  
Papagiannaki ◽  
Llasat ◽  
...  

Recent events in Western Attica in Greece (24 deaths in November 2017), in the Balearic Islands (13 deaths in October 2018), and in southern France (15 deaths in October 2018) show that flood-related mortality remains a major concern in Mediterranean countries facing flash floods. Over the past several years, many initiatives have arisen to create databases on flood-related mortality. An international initiative started in 2011 pooling regional and national databases on flood mortality from region and/or countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The MEditerranean Flood Fatality Database (MEFF DB) brings together, in 2018, six Mediterranean regions/countries: Catalonia (Spain), Balearic Islands (Spain), Southern France, Calabria (Italy), Greece, and Turkey, and covers the period 1980–2018. MEFF DB is on progress and, every year, new data are included, but for this study, we kept only the preliminary data that were geolocated and validated on 31st of December 2018. This research introduces a new step in the analysis of flood-related mortality and follows the statistical description of the MEFF DB already published. The goals of this paper are to draw the spatial distribution of flood mortality through a geographical information system (GIS) at different spatial scales: country, NUTS 3 (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics. Level 3) regions, catchment areas, and grid. A fatality rate (F: number of deaths/year/million of inhabitants) is created to help this analysis. Then, we try to relate mortality to basic (human or physical) drivers such as population density, rainfall seasonality, or rainfall frequency across the Mediterranean Basin. The mapping of F shows a negative mortality gradient between the western and the eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea. The south of France appears to be the most affected region. The maps also highlight the seasonality of flood-related deaths with the same west–east gradient. It confirms that flood mortality follows the climatological seasonal patterns across the Mediterranean Basin. Flood-related fatalities mainly occur during the early fall season in the western part of the Mediterranean area, while the Easter Basin is affected later, in November or during the winter season. Eastern Turkey introduces another pattern, as mortality is more severe in summer. Mortality maps are then compared with factors that potentially contribute to the occurrence of flood fatalities, such as precipitation intensity (rainfall hazard), to explain geographical differences in the fatality rate. The density of a fatal event is correlated to the population density and the rainfall frequency. Conversely, the average number of deaths per event depends on other factors such as prevention or crisis management.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. E. Huertas ◽  
A. F. Ríos ◽  
J. García-Lafuente ◽  
A. Makaoui ◽  
S. Rodríguez-Gálvez ◽  
...  

Abstract. The exchange of both anthropogenic and natural inorganic carbon between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea through Strait of Gibraltar was studied for a period of two years under the frame of the CARBOOCEAN project. A comprehensive sampling program was conducted, which was design to collect samples at eight fixed stations located in the Strait in successive cruises periodically distributed through the year in order to ensure a good spatial and temporal coverage. As a result of this monitoring, a time series namely GIFT (GIbraltar Fixed Time series) has been established, allowing the generation of an extensive data set of the carbon system parameters in the area. Data acquired during the development of nine campaigns were analyzed in this work. Total inorganic carbon concentration (CT) was calculated from alkalinity-pHT pairs and appropriate thermodynamic relationships, with the concentration of anthropogenic carbon (CANT) being also computed using two methods, the ΔC* and the TrOCA approach. Applying a two-layer model of water mass exchange through the Strait and using a value of −0.85 Sv for the average transport of the outflowing Mediterranean water recorded in situ during the considered period, a net export of inorganic carbon from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic was obtained, which amounted to 25±0.6 Tg C yr−1. A net alkalinity output of 16±0.6 Tg C yr−1 was also observed to occur through the Strait. In contrast, the Atlantic water was found to contain a higher concentration of anthropogenic carbon than the Mediterranean water, resulting in a net flux of CANT towards the Mediterranean basin of 4.20±0.04 Tg C yr−1 by using the ΔC* method, which constituted the most adequate approach for this environment. A carbon balance in the Mediterranean was assessed and fluxes through the Strait are discussed in relation to the highly diverse estimates available in the literature for the area and the different approaches considered for CANT estimation. This work unequivocally confirms the relevant role of the Strait of Gibraltar as a controlling point for the biogeochemical exchanges occurring between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and emphasizes the influence of the Mediterranean basin in the carbon inventories of the North Atlantic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Sabia ◽  
Estrella Olmedo ◽  
Giampiero Cossarini ◽  
Aida Alvera-Azcárate ◽  
Veronica Gonzalez-Gambau ◽  
...  

<p>ESA SMOS satellite [1] has been providing first-ever Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) measurements from space for over a decade now. Until recently, inherent algorithm limitations or external interferences hampered a reliable provision of satellite SSS data in semi-enclosed basin such as the Mediterranean Sea. This has been however overcome through different strategies in the retrieval scheme and data filtering approach [2, 3]. This recent capability has been in turn used to infer the spatial and temporal distribution of Total Alkalinity (TA - a crucial parameter of the marine carbonate system) in the Mediterranean, exploiting basin-specific direct relationships existing between salinity and TA.</p><p>Preliminary results [4] focused on the differences existing in several parameterizations [e.g, 5] relating these two variables, and how they vary over a seasonal to interannual timescale.</p><p>Currently, to verify the consistency and accuracy of the derived products, these data are being validated against a proper ensemble of in-situ, climatology and model outputs within the Mediterranean basin. An error propagation exercise is also being planned to assess how uncertainties in the satellite data would translate into the final products accuracy.</p><p>The resulting preliminary estimates of Alkalinity in the Mediterranean Sea will be linked to the overall carbonate system in the broader context of Ocean Acidification assessment and marine carbon cycle.</p><p>References:</p><p>[1] J. Font et al., "SMOS: The Challenging Sea Surface Salinity Measurement From Space," in Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 98, no. 5, pp. 649-665, May 2010. doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2009.2033096</p><p>[2] Olmedo, E., J. Martinez, A. Turiel, J. Ballabrera-Poy, and M. Portabella,  “Debiased non-Bayesian retrieval: A novel approach to SMOS Sea Surface Salinity”. Remote Sensing of Environment 193, 103-126 (2017).</p><p>[3] Alvera-Azcárate, A., A. Barth, G. Parard, J.-M. Beckers, Analysis of SMOS sea surface salinity data using DINEOF, In Remote Sensing of Environment, Volume 180, 2016, Pages 137-145, ISSN 0034-4257, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2016.02.044.</p><p>[4] Sabia, R., E. Olmedo, G. Cossarini, A. Turiel, A. Alvera-Azcárate, J. Martinez, D. Fernández-Prieto, Satellite-driven preliminary estimates of Total Alkalinity in the Mediterranean basin, Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 21, EGU2019-17605, EGU General Assembly 2019, Vienna, Austria, April 7-12, 2019.</p><p>[5] Cossarini, G., Lazzari, P., and Solidoro, C.: Spatiotemporal variability of alkalinity in the Mediterranean Sea, Biogeosciences, 12, 1647-1658, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-1647-2015, 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p>


Author(s):  
Daria Sanna ◽  
Paolo Merella ◽  
Tiziana Lai ◽  
Sarra Farjallah ◽  
Paolo Francalacci ◽  
...  

The bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii) is an Indo-Pacific species that in the last ten years colonized a large part of the Mediterranean basin. The aim of this study was to sequence some portions of the mitochondrial DNA (D-loop II, 16S, 12S and Cyt b) of this fish from different localities of the Mediterranean Sea, in order to evaluate the level of its genetic variability in this area. The genetic analysis performed on specimens from seven localities of Sardinia, Tunisia and Libya revealed the presence of at least five mitochondrial lineages. The results obtained, compared with previous studies, indicate that the use of a sufficient number of mitochondrial regions may allow a more accurate estimate of genetic variability in lessepsian invasions.


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