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We studied the bioaccumulation of metals and PAHs, the pathological conditions, regressive phenomena and pathogens in wild Mytilus galloprovincialis taken along the North Pier facing the former second Italian largest steelworks of Bagnoli. There was no Cd and Pb bioaccumulation with respect to the EU role 221/2002. Metal shell index decreased as follows: Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu and correlates with the pollution state. The level of BaP was up to thirtysixfold higher the EU rule 835/2011. The sum of 4 hydrocarbons, PAH4, were up to seventeen-fold the rule. PAH levels increased toward the coast. Prevalence values of tissue necrosis and inflammatory lesions were between 50 and 100%. In May animals showed lesion like granulocytomas and inflammatory capsules. Signs of atresia, necrotic oocytes and diffused cases of hermaphroditism were detected. An appropriate localization of farming to avoid contamination from sediment turbulence and risks for consumer health is needed.

In different species of mollusks has been reported that the endocrine disruptors compounds (EDCs) interfere with the endocrine system mimicking the action of sex steroid hormones. Prosobranchs are usually used as a reliable bioindicator to evaluate the EDCs exposure. In this paper we evaluate the effects of xenoestrogens 4-n-nonylphenol (NP) in the prosobranch gastropod Patella caerulea that exhibits as reproductive strategy a protandrous hermafroditism. We isolated a partial sequence of a GnRH like molecule from the gonads of Patella caerulea. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous to that reported for the Lottia gigantea GnRH. The Patella caerulea GnRH (pGnRH) mRNA expression is wide spread in both male and female germinal lines during gametogenesis. In this paper we candidate the pGnRH as a novel biomarker to early asses the EDCs presence and monitor the short and long-term impact on Patella caerulea community structure

The Mediterranean freshwater ichthyofauna includes many interesting but poorly known species, because of little interest for sport fishing and culinary purposes. Salaria fluviatilis is the most widespread freshwater blenny of the Mediterranean. This species is found in rivers, brooks and low altitude lakes rich in branches and with stone bottom. Average lifespan is up to 5 years; larvae are planktonic until the size of about 1.5 cm and live in quiet waters. They reach a size of 12 cm on average and males are larger than females, and have a small ridge on the head. S. fluviatilis feeds on benthic organisms like small snails and shrimps, on fish and all kinds of insect larvae; it is itself prey of birds (migratory and resident), tortoise (e.g. Emys orbicularis) and snakes (e.g. Natrix spp). The population is very fragmented, and few data are available due to the difficulties to catch or to observe this fish; consequently, it is difficult to know its conservation status. It is included in Annex III of the Bern Convention and is considered a locally endangered species, listed by the IUCN Red List. The species is included in the overall plan of action for the conservation of freshwater Italian fishes. In South Italy, the main threat factors are water pollution, habitat destruction (gravel extraction, damming, canalization of rivers, etc.) and introduction of non-native predatory fish species like catfish (Ameiurus melas), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), of two allochthonous decapod crustaceans (Procambarus clarkii and Orconectes limosus) and two Testudines (Trachemys spp.). Due to their important ecological and trophic role of connection between benthic invertebrates, migratory birds and reptiles, we started a monitoring scientific program, capture of breeding animals, setting up of dedicated mesocosms and reproduction as well as rearing of juveniles for, local or in larger scale, restocking purpose allowed by the low genetic divergence of the species.

Questo volume nasce con l’intento di colmare, anche se solo parzialmente, una lacuna che per quanto ci è noto, appare evidente nel contesto della bibliografia scientifica nazionale: la mancanza di testi di riferimento aggiornati, in lingua italiana, di patologia degli organismi acquatici. Tra questi, i molluschi rappresentano organismi modello sempre più considerati rispetto ad altri, sia per la loro importanza bio-medica ed ecologica che per quella socio-economica. Il testo è diretto non solo agli studenti dei corsi di laurea in discipline Biologiche e Veterinarie, ma anche ai professionisti (Biologi, Medici, Veterinari) che lavorano nei settori della Ricerca, della Sanità Pubblica, dell’Acquacoltura, dell’Ecologia. La Patologia comparata dei molluschi, nel contesto del volume, viene sempre trattata nell’ottica di una comprensione più generale del rapporto tra salute e ambiente, oggi aspetto imprescindibile della “filosofia” di fondo che caratterizza le linee guida della Unione Europea per lo sfruttamento sostenibile delle risorse biologiche acquatiche vive e l’ottimizzazione del contributo sostenibile dell’acquacoltura alla sicurezza alimentare. La struttura del libro prevede una prima parte di patologia generale comparata (vertebrati - invertebrati - molluschi) ed una seconda parte di patologia speciale che include una breve trattazione delle principali malattie batteriche, virali, parassitarie e micotiche dei molluschi nonché alcune note legislative redatte dal dott. Giuseppe Arcangeli, Responsabile del Laboratorio di Riferimento Nazionale per le malattie dei Molluschi all’Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie.

In the present study we used the computerized imaging analysis (CIA) for the evalauation of both morphometrical parameters (area, perimeter, minimal and maximal diameters and roundness) and fractal dimension (FD) of the cytoplasm of buffalo COCs