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We present here the first results of the analysis and interpretation of the swath bathymetry and side scan sonar data collected along the southeastern outer shelf and upper slope regions of the Cyprus insular margin (offshore Cape Greco). The resultant bathymetric model and the derivatives (e.g.: slope, aspect, benthic position index) are presented and analyzed in order to describe the morphology of the seabed and the main geomorphological features through quantitative indicators including morphometric indexes and statistical descriptors. The presence of deep sea coral communities (Dendrophylia ramea) in a particular location of the surveyed area is also discussed and tentatively related to the landscape morphology where the colonies are settled

La perforación de recto se produce como resultado de una complicación bajo condiciones patológicas que comprometen la pared rectal. Rara vez ocurre espontáneamente. En casi todos los casos reportados de lesión rectal asociada a evisceración intestinal, el intestino delgado es el órgano involucrado. Las técnicas de reparación son variables, desde una rafia primaria en lesiones poco extensas, hasta resección de segmento lesionado y colostomía para los casos más graves. La decisión de la técnica a utilizar dependerá de la extensión y otras características de la lesión, del compromiso de estructuras vecinas, del tiempo de evolución y del grado de contaminación. El cirujano general debe estar preparado para el manejo de estas lesiones ya que son de resolución en los servicios de urgencias. Presentamos un caso, poco frecuente, de evisceración del epiplón mayor, transanal, posterior a lesión rectal de dudosa etiología. Rectal perforation rarely occurs spontaneously. We report a 44 years old male consulting for abdominal pain lasting 12 hours. Abdominal muscular resistance was observed on physical examination. A plain abdominal X ray film showed a pneumoperitoneum. The patient was operated finding a perforation in the lower rectum, with omentum sliding through it and exiting through the anus. The omentum was sectioned and ligated and a derivative colostomy was performed. The cause of the rectal perforation was not ascertained.

Cold-water corals are recognised as a key component of Mediterranean deep-sea ecosystems but the knowledge of their associated biodiversity is still limited. To date, the fauna associated to the Central Mediterranean cold-water coral habitats is the best known (e.g. the cold-water coral provinces of Santa Maria di Leuca, Bari canyon and Strait of Sicily) but such knowledge should be extended to the whole Mediterranean Basin. The combined biodiversity censed so far for Mediterranean cold-water coral habitats and those of adjacent areas (Strait of Gibraltar-Gulf of Cádiz) includes a conspicuous number of species (ca. 520 spp.) with a high representation of sponges (ca. 90 spp.), polychaetes (ca. 90 spp.), cnidarians (ca. 80 spp.), bryozoans (ca. 75 spp.), crustaceans (ca. 60 spp.), molluscs (ca. 50 spp.), fishes (ca. 50 spp.), echinoderms (ca. 20 spp.) and brachiopods (7 spp.). Most species are not univocally linked to cold-water corals, but they benefit from the complex and diverse microhabitats provided by them. There is a clear need to continue the investigation of Mediterranean cold-water coral habitats to fully document the faunistic inventory, biogeographic connections and functions of the many species connected to such emblematic ecoystems of the deep-sea.

Outreach is fundamental to disseminate scientific knowledge and approach the general public. The cold-water coral ecosystems are not an exception. During the last 15 years many efforts have been made to make more familiar these complex ecosystems to the society. Technology (which allow the possibility to reach deepest locations) but also the engagement of scientists made this approach possible. In this short contribution we highlight several ways to promote the knowledge and the sensitisation on these fragile deep water ecosystems, showing previous experiences and discussing some ways to effectively transfer the information needed to protect and manage these fragile ecosystems.