A5020091611- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Karst Systems and Hydrogeology
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Fungal Biology and Applications
- Echinoderm biology and ecology
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Mercury impact and mitigation studies
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
National Research Council
2017-2025
Water Research Institute
2020-2025
Sardegna Ricerche (Italy)
2024
Mae Fah Luang University
2023
University of Pavia
2011-2021
University of Turin
2015-2020
Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute
2018
Institute of Ecosystem Study
2017
Algae-inhabiting marine fungi represent a taxonomically and ecologically interesting group of microorganisms still largely neglected, especially in temperate regions. The aim this study was to isolate identify the culturable mycobiota associated with Flabellia petiolata, green alga frequently retrieved Mediterranean basin. Twenty algal thalli were collected from two different sampling sites Sea (Elba Island, Italy). A polyphasic approach showed presence relevant alga-associated 64 taxa...
The emergence of antibiotic resistance and viruses with high epidemic potential made unexplored marine environments an appealing target source for new metabolites. Marine fungi represent one the most suitable sources discovery compounds. Thus, aim this work was (i) to isolate identify associated Atlantic sponge
Abstracts of talks presented at ParAqua Conference held in Dubrovnik (Croatia), 16-17 April 2024
ABSTRACT Amplicon sequencing tools such as metabarcoding are commonly used for thorough characterisation of microbial diversity in natural samples. They mostly rely on the amplification conserved universal markers, mainly ribosomal genes, allowing taxonomic assignment barcodes. However, linking classification with functional traits is not straightforward and requires knowledge each group to confidently assign taxa a given trait. Zoosporic parasites highly diverse yet understudied, many...
Covering 70 % of Earth, oceans are at the same time most common and environment least studied by microbiologists. Considering large gaps in our knowledge on presence marine fungi oceans, aim this research was to isolate identify culturable fungal community within three species sponges, namely Dysidea fragilis, Pachymatisma johnstonia Sycon ciliatum, collected Atlantic Ocean never for their associated mycobiota. Applying different isolation methods, incubation temperatures media, attempting...
Summary Fungi populate deep Oceans in extreme habitats characterized by high hydrostatic pressure, low temperature and absence of sunlight. Marine fungi are potential major contributors to biogeochemical events, critical for marine communities food web equilibrium under climate change conditions a valuable source novel extremozymes small molecules. Despite their ecophysiological biotechnological relevance, fungal deep‐sea biodiversity has not yet been thoroughly characterized. In this study,...
Although attention on crayfish diseases has recently proliferated, the focus is mainly a single host-parasite relationship rather than analyzing entire mycoflora, probably due to fact that (1) some are occasional (pathogens of which difficult collection) and (2) economic impact more relevant in aquaculture (i.e., controlled environment where only few parasites occur) natural conditions. Contrary this viewpoint, fungal ectoparasites assume great importance since they integral components...
Identification of the mycobiota associated to marine echinoderm Holothuria poli and investigation cytotoxic pro-osteogenic potential isolated strains.Fungal strains were from animal's body-wall, intestine faeces. The species identification was based on DNA barcoding morphophysiological observations. Forty-seven identified, all are Ascomycota mainly belonging Aspergillus Penicillium genera. Sixteen grown three media for chemical extraction. Cytotoxic activity tested a hepatic cancer cell line...
Abstract This study is the first to investigate and characterize mycobiota associated with alien species Asparagopsis taxiformis , a rhodophyte classified as one of ‘100 worst invasive species’ in Mediterranean Sea by Hellenic Center for Marine Research, it threatens biodiversity. Fungal endophyte epiphyte communities were investigated on algal specimens from two sampling sites island Linosa (Marine Protected Area Isole Pelagie, Italy). 87% 24 that analysed epiphytes displayed microfungal...
Microorganisms, microbiomes, and their products (e.g., enzymes, metabolites, antibiotics, etc.) are key players in the functioning of both natural anthropized Earth ecosystems; they can be exploited for research purposes biotechnological applications, including fighting big challenges our era, such as climate change. Culture collections (CCs) microbial Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs) repositories microorganisms that investigate safeguard biodiversity facilitate scientific industrial...
This paper represents the first attempt to study microfungal flora contained in digestive system of most widespread aquatic invasive invertebrate world: Procambarus clarkii (Cambaridae, Decapoda). Understanding its bioinvasion, terms ecological risk and environmental impact, requires a multidisciplinary approach that considers consequences on all levels, from macroscopic microscopic. In this study, we investigated both population dynamics dietary habits red swamp crayfish captured within...
The potential invasiveness of alien macroinvertebrate species in the Italian/Swiss hydrographic system Lake Maggiore (NW Italy) was assessed through Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit, a risk assessment tool developed for quantifying impacts on commercial, environmental, and traits sectors. Data were collected using databases provided by two regional environmental agencies northern Italy (Lombardy Piedmont regions) governmental monitoring program Switzerland, which integrated with...
Although no mass mortality has been recorded so far, the precise demographic effect of white-nose syndrome (WNS) on European bats still remains to be ascertained. Following first isolation P. destructans in Italy, further surveys were performed assess distribution fungus NW Italy and its effects bats. Data collected from March 2019 April 2020 at sites used for hibernation (six sites) and/or reproduction (four Piedmont Aosta Valley. A total 138 bats, belonging 10 species, examined identify...
We report the first occurrence record of spiny-cheek crayfish Faxonius limosus in two North-western Italian lakes: Orta and Mergozzo.We also confirm species Lake Maggiore.Faxonius is native to east coast USA.Since end 19 th century, it was introduced Europe, where rapidly spread Poland, Russia, France, Germany.In 1991, recorded for time Italy Iseo (Lombardy region; NW Italy), soon has Northern Central Italy.Although included list European Union Concern, only reports suggested this lakes...
Invasive alien species are a major threat to biodiversity. Thus, it is fundamental implement control strategies at the early stages of invasions. In framework Italian-Swiss Alien Species in Lake Maggiore cooperative programme, we performed an extensive study on occurrence and ecology crayfish, one most significant invaders freshwater habitats. From April 2017 July 2018, inspected seventy-five sites along coastline verify crayfish occurrence. We recorded, for first time, signal Pacifastacus...
Abstract The global decline in insect biomass has far‐reaching implications for terrestrial and freshwater food webs, impacting species reliant on insects as a crucial component of their diet. This issue extends to traditionally considered agricultural pests, such the common cockchafer Melolontha melolontha . In race combat cockchafers through collection, insecticide use, other control methods, repercussions numerical fluctuations predators, including high conservation importance like bats,...