A5031584024- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Echinoderm biology and ecology
- Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Marine and fisheries research
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Aquatic life and conservation
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- Heavy metals in environment
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Food Industry and Aquatic Biology
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
University of Cagliari
2019-2025
Abstract We investigated in mesocosm the feeding behavior and prey preference of invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus for different commercially exploited Mediterranean native bivalves. No-choice size video-recorded prey-choice experiments were designed to test following null hypotheses: (i) mortality do not vary when species are provided singularly nor with size; (ii) predator does have preferences simultaneously; (iii) manipulating, consuming, handling times among species. show that...
The fan mussel, Pinna nobilis, represents the largest bivalve endemic to Mediterranean Sea. Since 2016, dramatic mass mortality of this species has been observed in several areas. first surveys suggested that Haplosporidium pinnae (currently considered species-specific) was main etiological agent, but recent studies have indicated a multifactorial disease may be responsible for phenomenon. In study, we performed molecular diagnostic analyses on P. rudis, and heterologous host from island...
Abstract Objective The overexploitation of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus stock, as a consequence growing market demand for roe, has boosted research echinoderm rearing. chemical, physical, and microbiological characteristics land-based facilities are crucial urchins’ health human consumption their products. In Italy, health–hygienic regulations P. rearing still to be perfected by authorities. this context, we characterized quality pilot facility production at University Cagliari...
Paracentrotus lividus is a widely distributed species in the Mediterranean Sea and North-East Atlantic Ocean, where it plays an important ecological commercial role. The growing demand for its delicious gonads has rapidly led to overexploitation of natural populations around Sardinia (western Mediterranean). present research aimed at understanding population genetics within area, gathering data on juveniles produced experimental 'conservation hatchery' facility. A multilocus approach was...
The microalgae Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is cultivated on a large scale, with global production of approximately 18,000 tons year-1. Its high nutritional content and health-promoting properties have led to its establishment as key ingredient in dietary supplements. However, the efficient extraction bioactive compounds remains challenging. present study aims develop an eco-innovative method enhance spirulina’s antioxidant values. protocol involved maceration step phosphate-buffered...
Introduction Holothuria tubulosa is one of the most common sea cucumbers in Mediterranean Sea, generally associated with organically enriched coastal sediments and seagrass beds. As a deposit-feeder, it responsible for strong bioturbation processes plays putative key role sedimentary carbon cycling benthic trophodynamics. With aim exploring potential use holothuroids as tool remediating eutrophicated sediments, we investigated effects H. on organic matter quantity, biochemical composition,...
Abstract Eutrophication affects coastal oceans worldwide, modifies primary production and sediment biogeochemistry and, overall, is progressively compromising marine ecosystems’ integrity. Because of their known bioturbation ability, sea cucumbers are supposed to be candidates for mitigating benthic eutrophication. To provide insights on this, we investigated differences in organic matter quantity biochemical composition (as proxies trophic status) sediments feces the cucumber Holothuria...
Data are available upon request to the corresponding author.
Holothuria tubulosa is one of the most common sea cucumber species inhabiting Mediterranean Sea. Due to its commercial interest for international market, it has been harvested without proper management causing overexploitation stocks. Inadequate also caused by lack information on basic biology and ecology not allowing estimating vulnerability resilience growing anthropogenic pressures. In this paper, we have investigated life-history traits H. (population structure reproductive cycle) in a...
Establishing the age of cephalopods is crucial for understanding their life history, which can then be used assessment and management. This particularly true common cuttlefish
We investigated the effects of different temperature anomalies (up to +12 °C) on biochemical features sediments offered specimens sea cucumber Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa (Gmelin, 1788) and its feces. also estimated ingestion assimilation rates classes organic compounds after treatments. The exposure influenced metabolism matter efficiency H. tubulosa. Counterintuitively, our results would suggest that tubulosa, irrespectively temperature, might not be best option for removing excess...
The increasing harvesting of low trophic level organisms is rising concern about the possible consequences on ecosystem functioning. In particular, continuous demand sea cucumbers from international market lead to overexploitation either traditionally harvested and new target species, including Mediterranean ones. Sea are mostly deposit feeders able consume sedimentary organic matter and, thus, ideal candidate for remediation eutrophicated sediments, like those beneath aquaculture plants....
Abstract Mussels close their shell as a protective strategy and the quantification of this behavioral marker may represent an alarm signal when they are exposed to environmental stressors. In present study, we investigated ability Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis recover then resilience or inertia valve activity after pulsing exposition diverse levels salinity (5, 10, 20, 35 PSU reference value). The trial simulated event drastic sudden reduction seawater thus mimicking flash...
The aim of this study was to provide new insights into the stability in water prepared feeds for echinoculture. tests four were carried out laboratory two different trials corresponding temperature levels (24°C and 19°C) times immersion (up 72 h). Temperature duration significantly affected feeds. Feed 1 most stable whereas 3 least feed, as it started dissolve a few hours. 2 4 remained at 19°C all along trial, 24°C intact only 30 h. To optimize echinoculture practice >19°C, we recommend...
Bottarga is a high-priced delicacy with high nutritional value, and, in Italy, bottarga from mullets has been recognized to be traditional food product. The flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus and the thinlip Liza ramada are main cultured Mediterranean Sea. In this study, fresh roe these two species were investigated evaluate influence of technological process on their biochemical composition health advantages. 1 h/200 g salting-out step did not increase levels NaCl bottarga, although it...
Like other animals, echinoderms rely on chemical senses to detect and localize food resources. Here, we evaluate the sensitivity of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus a number stimuli possibly related food, such as few sugars, compared blue-green algae Spirulina ( Arthrospira platensis ). To do this developed simple, innovative method based recording “urchinograms” estimating movements spines, pedicellariae, tube feet, eventually whole urchin, in response chemicals, while keeping both animal...
Abstract The green seaweed Ulva is close to becoming popular due its suitability as potential feedstock production and for food items. However, there a general lack of studies on the aversion or acceptability this alga by marine organisms, particularly role chemoattractant and/or phagostimulant activity. Here we tested effect compressa other biochemicals chemostimulating compounds valuable sea urchin species, Paracentrotus lividus , selected model species our tests. Sea urchins’ chemical...
Strong rainfalls and river floods are becoming increasingly frequent intense in southern Europe. Mediterranean coastal lagoons, due to their hydrological characteristics, could mitigate the consequences of such events, whose effects on sediment biogeochemistry poorly studied, yet. To provide insights this, we investigated short-term changes organic matter quantity, composition, nutritional quality, degradation rates, turnover time a lagoonal benthocosm. Both flooding recovery phases...
Sea urchins rely on chemical senses to localize suitable food resources, therefore representing model species for chemosensory studies. In the present study, we investigated sensitivity of Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, namely “Klamath”, and a few amino acids chosen from biochemical composition same algae. To this end, used “urchinogram” method, which estimates movement rate in response chemicals. Our results showed that Klamath...
Abstract The fan shell Pinna nobilis is the largest bivalve endemic to Mediterranean and actually a strongly endangered species. Due biological, ecological, historical relevance of this species, research non-lethal method relate element content in organism’s tissues environment can provide information potentially useful evaluate environmental pollution organism physiological status. In study, screening on concentration animal growing (seawater sediments) four soft (hepatopancreas, gills,...