The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for the introduction of non-indigenous species. Among them, invasive alien species can seriously affect areas they colonize, not only by altering marine food webs and community structure, but also harming certain economic activities, such as fishing, tourism, aquaculture infrastructure. Rugulopteryx okamurae brown macroalga considered fourth most harmful among 10 reported in Mediterranean; fact, it has recently been included list Union concern due to its...

Fucales (Phaeophyceae) are ecosystem engineers and forest-forming macroalgae whose populations declining dramatically. In the Mediterranean Sea, Cystoseira sensu lato (s.l.)-encompassing genera stricto, Ericaria, Gongolaria-is most diverse group, many species have been shown to be locally extinct in areas, resulting a shift toward structurally less complex habitats with consequent loss of functions services. this study, we report on extensive occurrence healthy dense marine forests formed by...

This study provides new insights regarding the ecology and phenology of likely non-indigenous canopy-forming species Sargassum furcatum on central-eastern coast Sicily (Italy, Central Mediterranean). was described for St. Thomas (Virgin Islands), it reported first time in Mediterranean 1995 Chafarinas islands (Spain, western After report, this found 2021 several sites located along eastern (Italy), French coastline, Corsica, recently also Aeolian Islands (Italy). No phenological studies have...

Canopy-forming brown algae support highly productive ecosystems whose decline has been attributed to the interplay of several anthropogenic disturbances. Climate change could have disruptive effects on biology these species, but role temperature in development early life stages is poorly understood. The aim this study was assess response Ericaria giacconei , a winter-reproducing Southern–Mediterranean endemic thermal stress by testing five temperatures (12, 15, 18, 24, and 28°C) adults...

A gas-chromatographic study of the essential oil origanum has been carried out with both capillary and packed columns. Furthermore, some new components were found by coupling preparative analysis infrared spectroscopy.

In the Mediterranean Sea, coralligenous is an extremely important habitat for its biodiversity and role in carbon sequestration. However, biocenosis sensitive to many anthropogenic impacts, among which one of major threats marine litter. The aim present work was evaluate litter Marine Protected Area (MPA) Isole Ciclopi (Sicily, Italy). Through analysis frames obtained by Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) videos, data on type litter, grade organisms’ coverage, litter-organism interactions,...

For almost all the Sicilian islands, there are no faunistic data concerning marine Heterobranchia, which is one of most sought-after groups critters by photographers and diving enthusiasts over world. With present study, carried out through underwater photography at various dive sites stretches coastline in island Marettimo, we made first contribution to knowledge Heterobranchia fauna on this Egadi archipelago. Through collection, it was possible document presence 43 species Heterobranchia....

The first updated list of the marine Heterobranchia for central-eastern coast Sicily (Italy) is here reported.This study was carried out, through a total 271 scuba dives, from 2017 to beginning 2020 in four sites located along Ionian coasts Sicily: Catania, Aci Trezza, Santa Maria La Scala and Tecla.Through photographic data collection, 95 taxa, representing 17.27% all Mediterranean Heterobranchia, were reported.The order with highest number found species that Nudibranchia.Among areas, Tecla...

In the past, only a few studies were carried out on marine vegetation of Island Pantelleria, reporting high level biodiversity in this island. However, most recent study, performed about 20 years ago, documented total loss Fucales below ca. 12 m depth and their substitution with morphologically simpler species. present current presence distribution Cystoseira s.l. Sargassum around Pantelleria assessed, comparing data previous Through monitoring activities (both snorkelling scuba diving), 19...

Abstract Lead accumulates in grapes exposed to automobile exhaust gases, the concentration of metal diminishing parabolically with logarithm distance from source pollution. The maximum extrapolated figure was 4 6 ug per g dried grapes, or about 10 times normal content. pollution falls zero 100 120 m away roadway.

Abstract Lead accumulation in vineyards exposed to automobile exhaust gases has been studied by means of three indicator materials (grapes, leaves and soil) sampled at increasing distance from the source. The regression analysis concentration data on logarithm distance, based an accepted model, shows that these are suitable for detecting extent pollution. Far source, where polluting effect is negligible, mean typical levels lead 0.43, 6.7 16.2 μg/g dry weight respectively. contribution...

Ericaria zosteroides is a canopy-forming macroalga belonging to the order Fucales, which dominates Mediterranean deep-water stands. In present research, populations of E. from three locations (Santa Maria La Scala, Scalo Pennisi and Acque Fredde) along central-eastern coast Sicily (Italy, central Mediterranean) were monitored for five years (from 2017 2021). all in this area share common phenology: recruits start appear between January-February; then during spring frond grows becomes...

A rapid method is described for the polarographic determination of chlorine, bromine and iodine in algae after a single combustion procedure. For chlorine iodine, anodic waves their ions were recorded. bromine, on other hand, bromide oxidised quantitatively to bromate ions, cathodic wave these was The has been tested several species from Gulf Trieste.

Marine forests are experiencing a severe decline in many Mediterranean areas. One of the major causes loss canopy-forming species is overgrazing by herbivorous fishes. In present study, status Treptacantha ballesterosii and Carpodesmia zosteroides populations was checked two areas located along central-eastern sector Sicily. addition, impact fishes, native or alien, on realized during monitoring fish communities. It observed that T. C. regression, particularly . Probably, growth this latter...

The coralligenous habitat represents one of the most important hotspots Mediterranean biodiversity. However, along Ionian coast Sicily (Italy) macroalgal assemblages have always been poorly studied. present study was carried out in Marine Protected Area (MPA) Isole Ciclopi, located central-eastern Sicily. Previously, only a few floristic studies, including some data on flora, were conducted within this MPA 1970s and 2001. Therefore, aimed to gain an updated knowledge flora compare current...

Macroalgal forests play a crucial ecological role, providing important ecosystem services, but are also among the most vulnerable marine habitats. In Mediterranean Sea, of Cystoseira sensu lato ( s.l. ) undergoing drastic decline due to presence multiple stressors, and these species, Gongolaria barbata is one threatened. Despite various attempts restore macroalgal forests, success interventions limited by availability fertile apices promote zygotes release embryo development for subsequent...