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Despite a high species diversity, skates (Rajiformes) exhibit remarkably conservative morphology and ecology. Limited trait variations occur within and between species, and cryptic species have been reported among sister and non-sister taxa, suggesting that species complexes may be subject to stabilising selection. Three sibling species are currently recognised in the Raja miraletus complex: (i) R. miraletus occurring along the Portuguese and Mediterranean coasts, (ii) R. parva in the Central-Eastern Atlantic off West Africa and (iii) R. ocellifera in the Western Indian Ocean off South Africa. In the present study, the genetic variation at mitochondrial and nuclear markers was estimated in the species complex by analysing 323 individuals sampled across most of its geographical distribution area to test the hypothesis that restricted gene flow and genetic divergence within species reflect known climate and bio-oceanographic discontinuities. Our results support previous morphological studies and confirm the known taxonomic boundaries of the three recognised species. In addition, we identified multiple weakly differentiated clades in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean, at least two additional cryptic taxa off Senegal and Angola, a pronounced differentiation of ancient South African clades. The hidden genetic structure presented here may represent a valuable support to species’ conservation action plans.

Between 2007 and 2022, 112 specimens of newborn and young pelagic sharks were recorded in the waters of Tuscany Region, in the South Ligurian–North Tyrrhenian Seas (north-western Mediterranean basin). The sharks belonged to the Carcharhinus plumbeus (n = 14), Prionace glauca (n = 66), Isurus oxyrinchus (n = 16), Mobula mobular (n = 5) Alopias vulpinus (n = 7) and Hexanchus griseus (n = 4) species. Each animal was correctly identified thanks to the photographs or videos collected. All specimens were incidentally captured with set nets in inshore shallow waters, except bluntnose six-gill sharks, which were bycatch of deep-water bottom-trawl fishery. Body mass, sex, total length and biometric measurements were recorded in 34 baby sharks following the Mediterranean Large Elasmobranches Monitoring (MEDLEM) protocol. The presence of very evident and often non-healed umbilical scar confirmed that some of the sample specimens were newborn. Further confirmation came from the comparison between the total length observed and the size at birth known for the sampled species as reported in the literature. Some baby sharks were preserved in the Museums of Natural History of Pisa and Florence University collections. The importance of the coastal area studied as a possible shark nursery is discussed.

Marine litter is one of the main sources of anthropogenic pollution in the marine ecosystem, with plastic representing a global threat. This paper aims to assess the spatial distribution of plastic macro-litter on the seafloor, identifying accumulation hotspots at a northern Mediterranean scale. Density indices (items km–2) from the MEDITS trawl surveys (years 2013-2015) were modelled by generalized additive models using a Delta-type approach and several covariates: latitude, longitude, depth, seafloor slope, surface oceanographic currents and distances from main ports. To set thresholds for the identification of accumulation areas, the percentiles (85th, 90th and 95th) of the plastic spatial density distribution were computed on the raster data. In the northern Mediterranean marine macro-litter was widespread (90.13% of the 1279 surveyed stations), with plastic by far the most recurrent category. The prediction map of the plastic density highlighted accumulation areas (85th, 90th and 95th percentiles of the distribution, respectively, corresponding to 147, 196 and 316 items km–2) in the Gulf of Lions, eastern Corsica, the eastern Adriatic Sea, the Argo-Saronic region and waters around southern Cyprus. Maximum densities were predicted in correspondence to the shallower depths and in proximity to populated areas (distance from the ports). Surface currents and local water circulation with cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies were identified as drivers likely facilitating the sinking to the bottoms of floating debris, Sí

FOSSR - FOSTERING OPEN SCIENCE IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH AIMS AT RAISE AWARENESS AND ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF DATA AND METHODOLOGIES WHILE PROMOTING FAIRNESS PRINCIPLES IN ITALY'S SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH KEY HIGHLIGHTS Integrating Renowned Research Infrastructures FOSSR collaborates with three prestigious research infrastructures - CESSDA-ERIC, SHARE-ERIC, and RISIS - to establish a framework of tools and services, amplifying the impact of Open Science in Italy's social science academic community. CESSDA ERIC is an European consortium that brings together social science data archives to support high-quality research. The consortium provides researchers with resources, tools, and diverse datasets for conducting social science research. Italy's membership in CESSDA by 2021 strengthens collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing social sciences. SHARE ERIC conducts the largest social science panel study in Europe, focusing on individuals aged 50+ in 27 European countries and Israel. The survey comprehensively examines economic, social, health, and well-being conditions, providing extensive data on European citizens. SHARE's data empowers policymakers to address socio-economic and public health challenges, improving the overall living situation of Europeans. RISIS provides data and services for studying science, technology, and innovation processes in R&I policy studies. Italian nodes - EFIL, JOREP, CHEETAH, VICO - offer respectively databases on research funding, joint R&D programs, mid-sized firms, and start-ups. These resources enable the development of analytical tools to analyze research, innovation, and industry dynamics. Advancing Open Science Practices FOSSR establishes a centralized knowledge-sharing platform and streamlined access to essential resources. Researchers and policymakers gain access to curated data and tools, fostering Open Science practices and driving impactful research outcomes. Sustainable Infrastructure for Long-Term Impact The network of research infrastructures, connected to energy-efficient data centers through an Open Cloud, ensures lasting sustainability. With optimized workflows, efficient cooling, and remote work capabilities, FOSSR empowers researchers with ample computing resources for further research and innovation. A new generation of Researchers By investing in skilled professionals and providing resources, FOSSR will drive cutting-edge advancements in data science. The collaboration with universities, focused on Ph.D. positions and Master's Degrees, is reshaping social science research, addressing critical challenges, and expanding knowledge boundaries., http://www.fossr.eu/

Aim: Determine the evolutionary origin of the heretofore poorly characterized contemporary Great White Shark (GWS; Carcharodon carcharias) of the Mediterranean Sea, using phylogenetic and dispersal vicariance analyses to trace back its global palaeo-migration pattern. Location: Mediterranean Sea. Taxon: Carcharodon carcharias. Methods: We have built the largest mitochondrial DNA control region (CR) sequence dataset for the Mediterranean GWS from referenced historical jaws spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Mediterranean and global GWS CR sequences were analysed for genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and divergence time. A Bayes factor approach was used to assess two scenarios of GWS lineage divergence and emergence of the Mediterranean GWS line using fossil records and palaeo-geographical events for calibration of the molecular clock. Results: The results confirmed a closer evolutionary relationship between Mediterranean GWS and populations from Australia–New Zealand and the North-eastern Pacific coast rather than populations from South African and North-western Atlantic. The Mediterranean GWS lineage showed the lowest genetic diversity at the global level, indicating its recent evolutionary origin. An evaluation of various divergence scenarios determined the Mediterranean GWS lineage most likely appeared some 3.23 million years ago by way dispersal/vicariance from Australian/Pacific palaeo-populations. Main conclusion: Based on the fossil records, phylogeographic patterns and divergence time, we revealed that the Mediterranean GWS population originated in the Pliocene following the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Colonization of the Mediterranean by GWS likely occurred via an eastward palaeo-migration of Australian/eastern Pacific elements through the Central American Seaway, before the complete closure of the Isthmus of Panama. This Pliocene origin scenario contrasts with a previously proposed scenario in which Australian GWS colonized the Mediterranean via antipodean northward migration resulting from navigational errors from South Africa during Quaternary climatic oscillations.

14 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, supplementary material https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.953895/full#supplementary-material.-- Data availability statement: The data presented in this study are included in the supplementary material (SM1; SM10), further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors, Among the main measures adopted to reduce anthropogenic impacts on elasmobranch communities, understanding the ecology of deep-sea sharks is of paramount importance, especially for potentially vulnerable species highly represented in the bycatch composition of commercial fisheries such as the blackmouth catshark Galeus melastomus. In the present work, we unravelled the first indication of population genetic structure of G. melastomus by using a novel and effective panel of nuclear, and polymorphic DNA markers and compared our results with previous findings supporting high genetic connectivity at large spatial scales. Given the lack of species-specific nuclear markers, a total of 129 microsatellite loci (Simple Sequence Repeats, SSRs) were cross-amplified on blackmouth catshark specimens collected in eight geographically distant areas in the Mediterranean Sea and North-eastern Atlantic Ocean. A total of 13 SSRs were finally selected for genotyping, based on which the species exhibited signs of weak, but tangible genetic structure. The clearcut evidence of genetic differentiation of G. melastomus from Scottish waters from the rest of the population samples was defined, indicating that the species is genetically structured in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent North-eastern Atlantic. Both individual and frequency-based analyses identified a genetic unit formed by the individuals collected in the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Strait of Sicily, distinguished from the rest of the Mediterranean and Portuguese samples. In addition, Bayesian analyses resolved a certain degree of separation of the easternmost Aegean sample and the admixed nature of the other Mediterranean and the Portuguese samples. Here, our results supported the hypothesis that the interaction between the ecology and biology of the species and abiotic drivers such as water circulations, temperature and bathymetry may affect the dispersion of G. melastomus, adding new information to the current knowledge of the connectivity of this deep-water species and providing powerful tools for estimating its response to anthropogenic impacts, This research was funded by RFO and Canziani grants given to FT and AC, and by the RFO grant of the University of Bologna for the research fellowships of AF, With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Centrophorus uyato (Rafinesque, 1810) has a complicated nomenclatural history which has led to multiple scientific names being ascribed to this species. In the Mediterranean Sea, and elsewhere in its range, this species was previously referred to as C. granulosus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801). The first paper in this revision series clarified that C. granulosus refers to a much larger species of gulper shark which attains at least 1.7 m length and is absent from the Mediterranean Sea. Further complicating the nomenclature of this species is the fact that the original description clearly refers to a Squalus species, and not a Centrophorus species. In this third part of the revision of the genus Centrophorus, this problematic species is redescribed. A detailed synonymy is provided and it is confirmed that C. machiquensis, C. bragancae and C. zeehaani are junior synonyms of this species. To preserve nomenclatural stability within the genus, the name Centrophorus uyato is retained for this species with a neotype from close to the original type locality off Italy being designated. Intraspecific variation within Centrophorus uyato is also discussed, particularly relating to denticle morphology and body morphology.

The actual occurrence of Squalus megalops in the Mediterranean Sea has recently been questioned. Several research works which sought to assess available morphological and meristic features that differentiate S. megalops from other Squalus species in the Mediterranean Sea, revealed poor discriminatory power and high variability of the assessed characters, especially when comparing S. megalops and S. blainville. The application of molecular tools does not support the presence of S. megalops. In the present study, we screened spurdog species from the Strait of Sicily using a molecular taxonomy approach based on two mitochondrial DNA markers and we report the occurrence of two Squalus lineages characterizing specimens collected from the stretch of sea between Tunisia, southern Sicily, Malta and Libya. The results support the hypothesis that a common species, S. blainville, currently inhabits the Mediterranean Sea, while a second and rare species is probably an occasional visitor with high morphological similarity to the S. megalops and S. blainville but is genetically distinct from both. Within this perspective, the occurrence of S. megalops in the Mediterranean Sea is not confirmed and our study highlights the taxonomic uncertainties in relation to the occurrence and distribution of Squalus species in this region. We encourage the establishment of a coordinated international effort to implement a comprehensive and integrated taxonomic assessment on this genus which represents an irreplaceable component of the biodiversity of the area.

In this paper a rare case of a double swordfish mortal attack against an adult blue shark (Prionace glauca) is reported. A female blue shark, with a total length of 3 m, was found stranded along the southern Sicilian coast (Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea) on 30 May 2018. The analysis of this carcass revealed the presence of two swordfish bill fragments, impaled in the shark head; the former on the snout, the latter near the eye. The results of anatomical and computed tomography scanning analysis on the head of the blue shark showed that the larger bill fragment (19.7 cm) probably determined the death of this animal, having been impaled in a vital point, just behind the right eye. The analysis of both these events and other similar swordfish-shark interactions reported in the literature makes possible the hypothesis that young swordfish specimens put in place a precise defensive strategy against their potential predators or competitors, aimed at hitting vulnerable and vital points and delivering a mortal blow.

Species diversity assessments are an important step to evaluate the conservation status of a community, both in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. These assessments are pivotal if related to both, the constant increase of human pressure on ecosystems and the anthropogenic climate change occurring nowadays. Sharks and rays are globally threatened, and the situation is particularly alarming in the Mediterranean Sea where more than 50% of species are listed at risk of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In this paper, we revise and discuss the chondrichthyan species richness of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Through an accurate review of published taxonomic studies, historical data on species occurrence, analyses of scientific survey data and biodiversity databases and other scientific papers, we produced a revised list of species whose presence in the Mediterranean Sea is confirmed or highly probable and discussed on current taxonomic and occurrence disputes on the species that are instead rarer or claimed to be locally extinct. We listed a total of 88 species, representing 30 families and 48 genera that are currently present in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. This number includes 48 shark species, 38 batoids, and 2 chimaeras. The review represents a reference for future conservation assessments of cartilaginous fish in the region and a guide for decision-makers when promoting the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resource within an ecosystem-based framework. This paper can help to set a baseline of the Mediterranean species and thus resolve some uncertainties regarding their conservation status, explaining the reasons for their prolonged absence in the reports. Indeed, failure to record over time may not be due to grubbing up, but because after careful review this species was not really part of the Mediterranean fauna.

26 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, supporting information https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab110.-- Data availability: Sequences and data on specimens are available on GenBank and Bold databases, as specified in the main text, The current shift of fishery efforts towards the deep sea is raising concern about the vulnerability of deep-water sharks, which are often poorly studied and characterized by problematic taxonomy. For instance, in the Mediterranean Sea the taxonomy of genus Centrophorus has not been clearly unravelled yet. Since proper identification of the species is fundamental for their correct assessment and management, this study aims at clarifying the taxonomy of this genus in the Mediterranean Basin through an integrated taxonomic approach. We analysed a total of 281 gulper sharks (Centrophorus spp.) collected from various Mediterranean, Atlantic and Indian Ocean waters. Molecular data obtained from cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and a portion of a nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA gene region (28S) have highlighted the presence of a unique mitochondrial clade in the Mediterranean Sea. The morphometric results confirmed these findings, supporting the presence of a unique and distinct morphological group comprising all Mediterranean individuals. The data strongly indicate the occurrence of a single Centrophorus species in the Mediterranean, ascribable to C. cf. uyato, and suggest the need for a revision of the systematics of the genus in the area, This research was partially funded by the University of Bologna through ‘RFO’ and ‘Canziani’ grants given to FT and AC and by the European Commission Directorate – General Fisheries in the framework of the MEDITS survey. RM and LC acknowledge the support for their research grants to funds granted by the Università degli Studi di Cagliari ‘UNICA-RICCAR_2013_CAU_02’ and Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca ‘PON AIM 1854833 - PON Ricerca e Innovazione 2014-2020 – Azione I.2 - D.D. n. 407, 27/02/2018 – Attraction and International Mobility’, respectivel, With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

A specimen of Synagrops japonicus was collected in the north-western Mediterranean during an exploratory cruise using bottom trawl nets, aimed at the evaluation of possible consequences of lost- at-sea drums containing toxic materials. The discovery of this specimen follows the first record that occurred in the same area 28 years previously, fished by a bottom trawler in the waters of Portofino (Genoa, Italy) in 1987. The morphometric and meristic details of the new specimen are provided. The presence of this individual in the north-western portion of the Mediterranean is likely related to an accidental transport of larvae via ballast water by ships coming from outside the Mediterranean basin., Uzorak Synagrops japonicus sakupljen je u sjeverozapadnom Mediteranu tijekom istraživačkog krstarenja pridnenim povlačnim mrežama, s ciljem procjene mogućih posljedica izgubljenih u moru bubnjeva koje sadrže otrovne materijale. Otkriće ovog primjerka slijedi prvi zapis koji se dogodio na istom području prije 28 godina, a primjerak je bio ulovljen pridnenom koćaricom u vodama Portofina (Genova, Italija) 1987. godine. Navedeni su morfometrijski i meristički detalji novog uzorka. Prisutnost ove jedinke u sjevero- zapadnom dijelu Sredozemnog mora je vjerojatno povezana sa slučajnim transportom ličinki balast- nom vodom u brodovima koji dolaze izvan mediteranskog bazena.

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a "Green List of Species" (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species' progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species' viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics (conservation legacy, conservation dependence, conservation gain, and recovery potential). We tested the framework with 181 species representing diverse taxa, life histories, biomes, and IUCN Red List categories (extinction risk). Based on the observed distribution of species' recovery scores, we propose the following species recovery categories: fully recovered, slightly depleted, moderately depleted, largely depleted, critically depleted, extinct in the wild, and indeterminate. Fifty-nine percent of tested species were considered largely or critically depleted. Although there was a negative relationship between extinction risk and species recovery score, variation was considerable. Some species in lower risk categories were assessed as farther from recovery than those at higher risk. This emphasizes that species recovery is conceptually different from extinction risk and reinforces the utility of the IUCN Green Status of Species to more fully understand species conservation status. Although extinction risk did not predict conservation legacy, conservation dependence, or conservation gain, it was positively correlated with recovery potential. Only 1.7% of tested species were categorized as zero across all 4 of these conservation impact metrics, indicating that conservation has, or will, play a role in improving or maintaining species status for the vast majority of these species. Based on our results, we devised an updated assessment framework that introduces the option of using a dynamic baseline to assess future impacts of conservation over the short term to avoid misleading results which were generated in a small number of cases, and redefines short term as 10 years to better align with conservation planning. These changes are reflected in the IUCN Green Status of Species Standard.Reconociendo que era imperativo evaluar la recuperación de especies y el impacto de la conservación, la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN) convocó en 2012 al desarrollo de una “Lista Verde de Especies” (ahora el Estatus Verde de las Especies de la UICN). Un marco de referencia preliminar de una Lista Verde de Especies para evaluar el progreso de las especies hacia la recuperación, publicado en 2018, proponía 2 componentes separados pero interconectados: un método estandarizado (i.e., medición en relación con puntos de referencia de la viabilidad de especies, funcionalidad y distribución antes del impacto) para determinar el estatus de recuperación actual (puntuación de recuperación de la especie) y la aplicación de ese método para estimar impactos en el pasado y potenciales de conservación basados en 4 medidas (legado de conservación, dependencia de conservación, ganancia de conservación y potencial de recuperación). Probamos el marco de referencia con 181 especies representantes de diversos taxa, historias de vida, biomas, y categorías (riesgo de extinción) en la Lista Roja de la IUCN. Con base en la distribución observada de la puntuación de recuperación de las especies, proponemos las siguientes categorías de recuperación de la especie: totalmente recuperada, ligeramente mermada, moderadamente mermada, mayormente mermada, gravemente mermada, extinta en estado silvestre, e inderterminada. Cincuenta y nueve por ciento de las especies se consideraron mayormente o gravemente mermada. Aunque hubo una relación negativa entre el riesgo de extinción y la puntuación de recuperación de la especie, la variación fue considerable. Algunas especies en las categorías de riesgo bajas fueron evaluadas como más lejos de recuperarse que aquellas con alto riesgo. Esto enfatiza que la recuperación de especies es diferente conceptualmente al riesgo de extinción y refuerza la utilidad del Estado Verde de las Especies de la UICN para comprender integralmente el estatus de conservación de especies. Aunque el riesgo de extinción no predijo el legado de conservación, la dependencia de conservación o la ganancia de conservación, se correlacionó positivamente con la potencial de recuperación. Solo 1.7% de las especies probadas fue categorizado como cero en los 4 indicadores de impacto de la conservación, lo que indica que la conservación ha jugado, o jugará, un papel en la mejoría o mantenimiento del estatus de la especie la gran mayoría de ellas. Con base en nuestros resultados, diseñamos una versión actualizada del marco de referencia para la evaluación que introduce la opción de utilizar una línea de base dinámica para evaluar los impactos futuros de la conservación en el corto plazo y redefine corto plazo como 10 años.

This paper aims at collating and reviewing all data collected using the ESCA (Ecological Status of Coralligenous Assemblages) index from 2009 to 2018 during different local applications, in order to evaluate at large spatial scale its effectiveness and temporal variability. To this scope, the large-scale response of ESCA to anthropogenic disturbance was tested comparing ESCA values calculated at 42 sites of the Western Mediterranean Sea with the anthropization index. Moreover, the sensitivity of ESCA to punctual human disturbance and the robustness of the index across the natural space and time variability were evaluated. The large spatial scale study showed significant correlation between ESCA and the anthropization index, while very low correlation was detected when descriptors of ESCA (i.e., sensitivity levels, α-diversity, and β-diversity) were considered separately. The three impact evaluation studies highlighted significantly lower values of the ESCA index in disturbed conditions than in the control ones. The coastal monitoring study confirmed the robustness of the index which showed a high ecological quality of coralligenous reefs in reference conditions compared to more anthropized sites, and this pattern was maintained throughout the ten years study period. Application of the ESCA index to different situations tested positively its sensibility to different levels and type of human disturbance and its stability with respect to regional spatio-temporal variability. This confirm the reliability of the ESCA index already tested on the local and annual scale, thus broadening its range of application and validating it on a wider space–time scale.

This contribution summarizes the reference framework and main features of the online survey launched by CNR-IRCrES as part of the project Agile working in research institutions: organisational factors and individual behaviours in the production of knowledge. The survey aims to explore the individuals’ effects of the massive activation of agile working, due to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, within selected Italian Public Research Organisations (PROs). These organisations belong to a peculiar work sector, mainly characterized by intellectual and creative work performances, which include highly innovative activities. Considering the extensive implementation of this work mode in emergency circumstances, the investigation deals with specific dimensions of the individual’s scientific work, such as productivity, collaborations, and other research routines. The survey has a specific interest in the value of the organisational autonomy of the research workers and considers side aspects connected to personal and social well-being as well. An overview on the literature on agile working and on the Italian legislation will introduce the main analytical dimensions treated. The survey design is outlined retracing the stages of the research implementation, like the definition of the target population (researchers and technologists from the PROs) and the strategy for contacting the respondents. As regard both to the public and the private sector, the investigations on the effects of the implementation of agile working are at the early stages. Thus, the strategy presented configures as a methodological proposal to be applied for studying the adaptation processes and the eventual changes in intellectual or creative jobs. &nbsp

Chondrichthyan egg cases are important elements for species-specific identification and also provide a valuable aid in determining a species spatial distribution, as well as for defining spawning areas. Considering the absence of a general key for the identification of the egg cases of the Mediterranean Chondrichthyes, this work aims to fill this gap by presenting a species-specific key based on morphological features of the egg case. The key was developed primarily analysing fresh egg cases dissected from the oviduct, egg cases collected from the seabed or found dried lying on the seashore, after species confirmation by DNA analysis. Original data were integrated with information scrutinized from literature. In order to improve species identification, a protocol for the standardized acquisition of morpho-biometric and meristic features is also provided as a pre-requisite for the appropriate use of the identification key. The total width and length included the horns, when they are not broken, are the parameters that best explain the assignment of the egg case to a specific species.

Questo Capitolo si focalizza sulle diverse reti di conoscenza, in particolare quelle generate dalle collaborazioni di ricerca in Horizon 2020 e quelle collegate alle pubblicazioni in collaborazione internazionale. Vengono presentati alcuni indicatori sulla partecipazione italiana ai Programmi Quadro europei e un'analisi delle differenze territoriali esistenti nella produzione e condivisione di conoscenza scientifica. La conoscenza condivisa e creata a livello provinciale si riferisce al posizionamento nella rete dei progetti e pubblicazioni considerando finanziamenti ricevuti e numero di collaborazioni misurate attraverso la Social Network Analysis (SNA). Sulla base di diversi indicatori di produttività (tra cui le pubblicazioni scientifiche), la ricerca italiana è risultata sempre fra le prime al mondo, nonostante abbia una posizione decisamente inferiore per quel che riguarda i finanziamenti ordinari in R&S e numero di ricercatori. Osservando la geografia interna, invece, i risultati rivelano notevoli differenze tra le reti di conoscenza nelle province italiane. Esiste una non uniforme distribuzione della conoscenza nei diversi territori e un disallineamento tra centralità generate dai progetti e centralità generate dalle pubblicazioni scientifiche. Inoltre, troviamo effetti significativi delle condizioni economiche generali delle province sulla performance delle organizzazioni in Horizon 2020. Le conclusioni presentano alcuni suggerimenti per il decisore politico che derivano dall'analisi svolta.

This paper presents a first result of an IRCrES research project on the effects of smart working in public research organizations. The study aims at understanding the value of autonomous organization of individual work relatively to the production of new scientific knowledge in public research institutions (OECD, 2011), with a focus on the forms of smart working implemented in public research institutions also with reference to the social containment measures deriving from the pandemic due to COVID-19. The organizations examined in this first phase are the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF), the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which have introduced regulations of smart working before the pandemic emergency. In addition to these, the National Research Council (CNR) which had not yet activated smart working at the time of the emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic, and had to face problems connected to its regulation. For each of these organizations, authors analyze the implementation of smart working through rules and regulations.

Background. The decline of the populations of the three Critically Endangered species Squatina aculeata Cuvier, 1829, Squatina oculata Bonaparte, 1840, and Squatina squatina (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Mediterranean basin is mainly attributed to overexploitation by demersal fisheries, in particular bottom trawls, but also artisanal and recreational. The survey of their occurrence in the basin in parallel with the collection of biological information are essential in order to develop or improve conservation strategies. For that reason, the presently reported study aimed to enrich knowledge on today’s distribution and biology of one of the above-mentioned endangered species, S. aculeata. Materials and methods. Information on the incidental capture of twenty specimens of S. aculeata in various Mediterranean regions was provided between 2011 and 2020 by professional fishermen and citizen scientists. Thirteen specimens were identified through examination of photos taken directly on board, or at the fish market while seven specimens were deposited at scientific collections and studied in the laboratory. Sex, total length, and total weight were determined, whenever possible. The TW–TL relation was calculated and the stomach content of one specimen was examined. Results. The findings document the presence of this rare and endangered angelshark in the deep waters of a wide area of the Mediterranean covering six Geographical Subareas (GSAs) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), from the west to the central and eastern sectors of the basin. The total length in 17 individuals ranged from 54 cm to 190 cm, the total weight in 12 individuals from 2100 g to 49 000 g. Fifteen specimens were caught by bottom trawlers, four by trammel nets, one with longline. Conclusion. The reported recent findings document the occurrence of S. aculeata in various Mediterranean areas, some of which lacked records for many years. A continuous survey on the occurrence of this endangered species is recommended in order to assess the actual status of its population, but also of huge importance is the improvement of fishermen education and awareness aimed at the protection of the species as well as the inflexible application of international recommendations and regulations both for the professional and non-professional or recreational fishery.

Few stock assessments of elasmobranchs have been conducted in the Mediterranean due to the lack of available detailed and precise information. In recent years, in the Mediterranean Sea a major concern on the status of this group does exist and consequently scientists and managers have paid a major attention on the collection of data of fisheries in which they are involved as by-catch, on the impact of different fishing techniques, and on management issues aiming at reducing undesired removals. Information on landings for the more important species is now available in some Mediterranean countries but time series are still too short. Data on age structure of catches is often partial and does not regard all the fisheries in which the species are involved making difficult the reconstruction of the demographic structure of the commercial catches. So far such difficulties made almost impossible the use of age-based analytical models or surplus production models for stock assessment. Recently, stock assessments using simple approaches suitable for data poor stocks were performed for Raja asterias and Raja clavata, Scyliorhinus canicula and Galeus melastomus in the GFCM-GSA9. R. asterias is caught especially by trawlers fleet segments targeting flat fish (15-100 m of depth). R. clavata and S. canicula are in general part of the by-catch of a fishery operating at deeper waters (about 100-200 m) mainly targeting Parapenaeus longirostris, Eledone cirrhosa and Merluccius merluccius. G. melastomus is mainly found in the depth range 200-1200 m and is exclusively caught with bottom trawlers. It constitutes an important by-catch fraction of the Nephrops norvegicus fishery (250-500 m of depth) and the deep-sea shrimps fishery.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of multiple environmental descriptors through an asymmetrical sampling design to detect possible impacts related to the Costa Concordia event on the coastal marine environment. The Costa Concordia shipwreck occurred on a submerged rocky reef in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and the wreck was removed 2 years later. To achieve the proposed objective two main coastal ecosystems, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and coralligenous assemblages were studied using two ecological indices, PREI and ESCA, respectively. Both indices show a lower ecological quality in the disturbed sites compared with the control ones. Differences between the disturbed and control sites observed in both studied ecosystems would seem to indicate an increase of turbidity around the shipwreck as the most plausible cause of impact. The concurrent use of different ecological indices and asymmetrical sampling designs allowed detection of differences in ecological quality of the disturbed sites compared with the controls. This approach may represent an interesting tool to be employed in impact evaluation studies.

The ESCA (Ecological Status of Coralligenous Assemblages) index was developed to assess the ecological quality of coralligenous habitat using macroalgae as a biological indicator. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to human-induced pressures of macroalgae and sessile macro-invertebrates shaping the coralligenous habitat and to integrate their sensitivity into the ESCA index. Coralligenous assemblages were sampled at 15 locations of the NW Mediterranean Sea classified into three groups: i) marine protected areas; ii) low urbanized locations; and iii) highly urbanized locations. A sensitivity level value was assigned to each taxon/group on the basis of its abundance in each environmental condition, the data available in the literature and the results of an expert judgement survey. The index that includes the totality of the assemblages (named ESCA-TA), calculated using both macroalgae and sessile macro-invertebrates, detected the levels of human pressure more precisely than the index calculated with only macroalgae or with only invertebrates. The potential for assessing the ecological quality of marine coastal areas was thus increased with the ESCA-TA index thanks to the use of a higher variety of descriptors., El índice ESCA (Estado Ecológico de las Comunidades Coralígenas) ha sido desarrollado para determinar el estado ecológico de los hábitats coralígenos utilizando macro-algas como indicador biológico. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la respuesta, ante presiones antropogénicas, de macro-algas y macro-invertebrados sésiles moldeadores de la comunidad coralígena y su sensibilidad al índice ESCA. Se muestrearon comunidades coralígenas en 15 localizaciones del Mediterráneo Nord-Occidental clasificadas en 3 grupos: i) áreas marinas protegidas; ii) poco urbanizadas; iii) muy urbanizadas. Un valor de Nivel de Sensibilidad fue asignado a cada taxón/grupo en base a su abundancia en cada condición medioambiental, a información bibliográfica disponible y a los resultados de juicios por parte de expertos. El índice que integra la totalidad de las comunidades (llamado ESCA-TA), calculado usando tanto macro-algas como macro-invertebrados sésiles, detectó los diferentes niveles de presión humana de manera más precisa que el índice calculado solo con macro-algas o solo con invertebrados. El potencial para determinar el estado ecológico de las áreas marinas protegidas se incrementó con el índice ESCA-TA gracias al uso de una mayor variedad de descriptores.

The genetic structure and population connectivity of the Mediterranean endemic speckled skate Raja polystigma were investigated in 10 population samples (N = 232) at seven exon-primed nuclear microsatellites and at three mitochondrial DNA sequence markers. The phylogeographical and population genetic analyses revealed that R. polystigma in Western and Central Mediterranean represents a near-panmictic population, with a subtle but significant mitochondrial divergence of the Adriatic deme. Nuclear genotypes revealed that 2.5% of the total individuals exhibited an admixed ancestry with the sibling species R. montagui (spotted ray). Individuals with admixed ancestry were detected along with purebred individuals in the Algerian, Southern Tyrrhenian, Sicilian and Adriatic R. polystigma population samples, but they were absent or rare in Sardinian and Northern Tyrrhenian ones. Since the two species co-occurs in the South-Western Mediterranean, we suggested that this area may act as a secondary hybrid zone.

Le tecnologie dell'informazione e della comunicazione rientrano tra le Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) individuate dal Programma Horizon 2020 della Commissione Europea e il loro sviluppo è considerato un elemento chiave per promuovere l'innovazione e la competitività di un paese. Questo capitolo presenta dati utili a comprendere in che misura in Italia tali tecnologie siano in grado di svolgere un ruolo abilitante rispetto alla realizzazione di processi innovativi. Le analisi sulla penetrazione sociale delle tecnologie digitali e sul loro uso per ragioni connesse all'attività lavorativa o formativa, nonché l'approfondimento sull'investimento in R&S delle imprese nel settore ICT, mostrano una condizione di debolezza da parte dell'Italia rispetto ad altri paesi europei ed extraeuropei, particolarmente accentuata nelle regioni del Sud. I dati mostrano livelli di accesso e utilizzo da parte della popolazione e di spesa delle imprese non allineati a quelli di alcune realtà tra cui Regno Unito, Germania e Francia. Come evidenziato dall'Indice DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index), elaborato dalla Commissione Europea, l'Italia presenta un consistente ritardo in termini di competitività digitale, in particolare per l'implementazione dell'infrastruttura a banda larga e le competenze "digitali" della popolazione. Si tratta di risultati empirici la cui portata non può essere sottovalutata, considerati gli effetti che le tecnologie dell'informazione e della comunicazione producono sull'economia e sulla società nel breve e nel lungo periodo.