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The spatial distribution of harmful microalgal taxa along the coasts of the Apulia region (Mediterranean Sea) based on results of eight years (2012-2019) of routine monitoring program and a series of sporadic observations is presented. A total number of 69 potentially harmful taxa were found during the study period. Occurrence, abundance and richness of harmful taxa (toxic, potentially toxic and high biomass producers) varied along the Apulian coasts. The occurrence of harmful species was significantly higher where most of anthropogenic pres-sures overlap than only a few or no pressures existed. The physical alteration of coast is the most important pressure determining this pattern. Despite the variety and the abundances of the harmful microalgae, to our knowledge, no human health problems or risks have been ever recorded, nor were full-blown consequences on marine organisms such as fish kills during algal blooms. However, blooms coupled with water discoloration phenomena could become a big issue to tourism and recreational activities that have locally important socio-economic value.

PURPOSE We aimed to describe the global and localized correlations among visual field (VF) sensitivity, optic nerve head (ONH) perfusion measured by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and neural structure measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and to compare the floor effect for LSFG and OCT. METHODS Cross-sectional, multicenter study including one eye each from fifty OAG patients (mean age 69.3 years; average VF mean deviation, MD, -8.5 dB, range -25.17 to 0.85 dB) and fifty-one controls. Patients underwent SITA standard 24-2 automated perimetry and measurement of ONH perfusion, peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (GCIPLT). We tested the presence of a significant change (breakpoint) in the correlation slope with VF sensitivity to assess floor effect. RESULTS The correlation between the LSFG parameter Mean All (MA) of the global disc area and MD (r = 0.56, p

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in South Africa in November 2021, and has later been identified worldwide, raising serious concerns. A real-time RT-PCR assay was designed for the rapid screening of the Omicron variant, targeting characteristic mutations of the spike gene. The assay was used to test 737 sewage samples collected throughout Italy (19/21 Regions) between 11 November and 25 December 2021, with the aim of assessing the spread of the Omicron variant in the country. Positive samples were also tested with a real-time RT-PCR developed by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), and through nested RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Overall, 115 samples tested positive for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. The first occurrence was detected on 7 December, in Veneto, North Italy. Later on, the variant spread extremely fast in three weeks, with prevalence of positive wastewater samples rising from 1.0% (1/104 samples) in the week 5-11 December, to 17.5% (25/143 samples) in the week 12-18, to 65.9% (89/135 samples) in the week 19-25, in line with the increase in cases of infection with the Omicron variant observed during December in Italy. Similarly, the number of Regions/Autonomous Provinces in which the variant was detected increased from one in the first week, to 11 in the second, and to 17 in the last one. The presence of the Omicron variant was confirmed by the JRC real-time RT-PCR in 79.1% (91/115) of the positive samples, and by Sanger sequencing in 66% (64/97) of PCR amplicons. In conclusion, we designed an RT-qPCR assay capable to detect the Omicron variant, which can be successfully used for the purpose of wastewater-based epidemiology. We also described the history of the introduction and diffusion of the Omicron variant in the Italian population and territory, confirming the effectiveness of sewage monitoring as a powerful surveillance tool.

The ADRIREEF project was targeted to valorization of the natural and artificial reefs in the Adriatic Sea according to the principles of the Blue Growth. ARPA Puglia identified the coralligenous reef in the Torre Guaceto MPA (Brindisi, Italy) as a case study for the project purposes. According to the project objectives, the Agency selected some low-impact monitoring methods, like a standard photographic sampling method for the benthic communities and the visual census method to describe the fish assemblages and finally a R.O.V. to test the applied methods and compare the obtained data.

Plastic debris carry fouling a variety of class-size organisms, among them harmful microorganisms that potentially play a role in the dispersal of allochthonous species and toxic compounds with ecological impacts on the marine environment and human health. We analyzed samples of marine plastics floating at the sea surface using a molecular qPCR assay to quantify the attached microalgal taxa, in particular, harmful species. Diatoms were the most abundant group of plastic colonizers with maximum abundance of 8.2 x 10(4) cells cm(-2) of plastics, the maximum abundance of dinoflagellates amounted to 1.1 x 10(3) cells cm(-2) of plastics. The most abundant harmful microalgal taxon was the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp., including at least 12 toxic species, and the dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata with 6606 and 259 cells cm(-2), respectively. The abundance of other harmful microalgal species including the toxic allochthonous dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum ranged from 1 to 73 cells cm(-2). In the present study, a direct relationship between the abundance of harmful algal species colonizing the plastic substrates and their toxin production was found. The levels of potential toxins on plastic samples ranged from 101 to 10(2) ng cm(-2), considering the various toxin families produced by the colonized harmful microalgal species. We also measured the rate of adhesion by several target microalgal species. It ranged from 1.8 to 0.3 day(-1) demonstrating the capacity of plastic substrate colonizing rapidly by microalgae. The present study reports the first estimates of molecular quantification of microorganisms including toxin producing species that can colonize plastics. Such findings provide important insights for improving the monitoring practice of plastics and illustrate how the epi-plastic community can exacerbate the harmful effects of plastics by dispersal, acting as an alien and toxic species carrier and potentially being ingested through the marine trophic web. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: At global level, the vulnerability of aquifers is deteriorating at an alarming rate due to environmental pollution and intensive human activities. In this context, Local Health Authority ASL Lecce has launched the M.I.N.O.Re. (Not Compulsory Water Monitoring Activities at Regional level) project, in order to assess the vulnerability of the aquifer in Salento area (Puglia Region) by performing several non-compulsory analyses on groundwater samples. This first paper describes the quali-quantitative approach adopted under the M.I.N.O.Re. project for the assessment of environmental pressures suffered by groundwater and determines the number of wells to be monitored in specific sampling areas on the basis of the local potential contamination and vulnerability of the aquifer. Methods: We created a map of the entire Lecce province, interpolating it with a grid that led to the subdivision of the study area in 32 quadrangular blocks measuring 10 km &times, 10 km. Based on current hydrogeological knowledge and institutional data, we used GIS techniques to represent on these 32 blocks the 12 different layers corresponding to the main anthropic or environmental type of pressures potentially impacting on the aquifer. To each kind of pressure, a score from 0 to 1 was attributed on the basis of the potential impact on groundwater. A total score was assigned to each of the 32 blocks. A higher number of wells was selected to be monitored in those blocks presenting higher risk scores for possible groundwater contamination due to anthropic/environmental pressures. Results: The range of total scores varied from 2.4 to 42.5. On the basis of total scores, the 10 km &times, 10 km blocks were divided into four classes of environmental pressure (1st class: from 0,1 to 10,00, 2nd class: from 10,01 to 20,00, 3rd class: from 20,1 to 30,00, 4th class: from 30,01 to 42,50). There were 11 areas in the 1st class, 9 areas in the 2nd class, 8 areas in the 3rd class and 4 areas in the 4th class. We assigned 1 monitoring well in 1st class areas, 2 monitoring wells in 2nd class areas, 3 monitoring wells in 3rd class areas and 4 monitoring wells in 4th class areas. Conclusion: The methodology developed under the M.I.N.O.Re. project could represent a useful model to be used in other areas to assess the environmental pressures suffered by aquifers and the quality of the groundwater.

Eutrophication represents one of the most impacting threats for the ecological status and related ecosystem services of transitional waters; hence, its assessment plays a key role in the management of these ecosystems. A new multi-index method for eutrophication assessment, based on the ecological index MaQI (Macrophyte Quality Index), the trophic index TWQI (Transitional Water Quality Index), and physicochemical quality elements (sensu Dir. 2000/60/EC), was developed including both driver and impact indicators. The study presents a large-scale implementation of the method, which included more than 100 Italian lagoon sites, covering a wide variability of lagoon typologies and conditions. Overall, 35% of sites resulted in eutrophic status, 45% in mesotrophic, and 25% in oligotrophic status.

Rhodolith beds represent a key habitat worldwide, from tropical to polar ecosystems. Despite this habitat is considered a hotspot of biodiversity, providing a suite of ecosystem goods and services, still scarce quantitative information is available thus far about rhodolith beds occurrence and ecological role, especially in the Mediterranean Sea. This study reports the composition and patterns of distribution of rhodolith assemblages found in four study areas along ca. 860 km of coast in the Central Mediterranean Sea. These rhodolith beds were studied for the first time and significant differences at all spatial scales have been highlighted, documenting the high variability of this habitat. Rhodolith species composition, morphology and distribution have been discussed considering the potential role of environmental factors in driving these patterns. The need for improving their protection is discussed to complement present conservation and management initiatives, particularly in the frame of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

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.

Data generated by long-term monitoring programs for coastal areas are intricate and require advanced tools able to identify the factors, natural or anthropogenic, responsible for the observed quality status. In the present study, data stemming from a 5-year monitoring programme of the Apulian coast were utilized for validating a speedy and comprehensive approach to assess the environmental quality of the marine-coastal area. Selecting 12 indicator contaminants controlling the pollution degree of the bottom sediments and attributing to each of them a weighted relevance according to their hazard potential, two multimetric indexes were calculated, helping to establish how and to what extent the selected contaminants could affect the achievement of good chemical and ecological status of coastal area. The relationships between calculated hazard degree values and the main natural factors loading on the study area were addressed through multivariate analyses. The variability of hazard degree values over time was explained by means of combined use of multivariate analyses and multimetric indexes, affording a handy method that allows to differentiate the role of natural factors, such as hydrodynamic and morphological features of the coastal track versus that of anthropogenic pressures. The combined approach adopted supports a reliable hazard assessment at long-term period and at a large spatial scale.

A bloom of putatively non-indigenous species (NIS) Prorocentrum shikokuense was detected for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea at the Brindisi harbor (Southern Adriatic Sea) on September 2016, in the context of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring in the ports. This species is usually observed in the East China Sea and Japanese and Korean waters. In the Brindisi harbor this dinoflagellate reached the concentration 105 cell/L and represented from 30 to 50% of the total phytoplankton population. Besides this event, Prorocentrum shikokuense has not been found blooming until today in Mediterranean waters. This study suggests the necessity to improve the monitoring surveys in areas that are known vulnerable systems to alien and invasive species, such as ports.

Geostatistic analysis was applied to the dataset from multi-year monitoring, in the Apulian marine-coastal zone (Mediterranean Sea, Italy), on the presence and abundance of intestinal Enterococci and Escherichia coli, microbiological indicators of faecal contamination at the sea. The same faecal contamination can be considered as the main cause of pollution phenomenon under current Italian and European regulations for the bathing waters (Italian Government Decree 116/2008, European Directive 2006/7/CE). The main objective of the study is to verify, taking into the account the anthropic pressures acting on the coastal zone, the efficiency of the Apulian regional monitoring plan currently in force for the assessment of bathing waters quality, with a view to a hypothetical reduction of sample collection points.

Size spectra exhibit common patterns of variation and predictable responses to pressures across ecosystem types, functional guilds and taxonomic groups. Here, we extend the size spectra approach to phytoplankton ecological status assessment in transitional waters by developing, testing and validating a multi-metric index of size spectra sensitivity (ISS-phyto), which integrates size structure metrics with others such as phytoplankton diversity, biomass and sensitivity of size classes to anthropogenic disturbance. The ability of various theoretical models of size spectra sensitivity to discriminate between disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems and levels of anthropogenic stress was evaluated. We used data on phytoplankton samples collected in 14 Mediterranean and Black sea transitional water ecosystems (coastal lagoons) from Italy, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, and compared the models’ efficiency by looking at their pressure–impact response along salinity and enrichment gradients, the latter quantified as variations in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP). Data from a fifteenth Mediterranean lagoon was used for external validation purposes. Right asymmetric models of size class sensitivity, implying higher sensitivity of smaller cell size classes, were found to contribute to the ISS-phyto multimetric tool more effectively than symmetric and left asymmetric models, distinguishing disturbed from undisturbed lagoons and disturbed from undisturbed stations within the same lagoon. When based on right asymmetric sensitivity models, i.e., those that were most efficient in identifying anthropogenic impacts, ISS-phyto also showed the best fit of pressure–response relationships along the salinity and enrichment gradients; at low to high levels of impact ISS response was driven by size class sensitivity and at very high impacts by phytoplankton biomass. A scheme for the classification of Ecological Quality Status based on ISS-phyto is proposed and validated. The validation procedure found that ISS-phyto is an effective and sensitive monitoring tool, robust, easy to apply and to inter-calibrate among laboratories.

Spread of alien species (AS) is a serious threat to marine habitats and analysis of principal descriptors of their occurrence is pivotal to set reliable conservation strategies. 2. In order to assess the susceptibility of marine habitats to biological invasions, a dataset was gathered of the occurrence of 3899 species from 29 phyla, taken from 93 marine sites located along the Italian coast in the period 2000-2012.

Purpose: To evaluate pattern-evoked retinal and cortical responses [pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and visual-evoked potential (VEP), respectively] after treatment with coenzyme Q10 in conjunction with vitamin E in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. Methods: Forty-three OAG patients (mean age, 52.5±5.29 y; intraocular pressure 0.05). After 6 and 12 months, PERG and VEP response parameters of GP patients were unchanged when compared to baseline. In GC patients, PERG P50 and VEP P100 implicit times were decreased, whereas PERG P50-N95 and VEP N75-P100 amplitudes were increased (P

Introduction of alien species is one of the major threats to aquatic biota and knowledge of the major correlates of their occurrence is pivotal in planning reliable conservation strategies. 2. To understand whether specific freshwater habitats are more likely to be invaded than others, a dataset on the occurrence of 1604 species in 54 taxonomic groups from 181 sites across the Italian peninsula was gathered. 3. TheEUNIShabitatclassificationwas used, selectingfor the study's seven habitat types at thesecondEUNIS level, including lentic (EUNIS C1; 64 sites), lotic (EUNIS C2; 99 sites) and highly artificial (EUNIS J5; 18 sites) habitats. 4. The aim of the study was to test whether the overall number of alien species and the proportion of alien species for each taxonomic group differed between habitat types and could be explained by environmental, human-mediated, or climatic factors. 5. Using generalized linear mixed effect models to account for potential confounding factors, only average air temperature of the site was a significant positive predictor of the occurrence of alien species, regardless of habitat type, species richness, and other climatic variables. 6. A direct effect of temperature could be excluded given the origin of alien species, mostly from colder areas than Italy. Thus, an indirect effect could be hypothesized at the Italian latitudes, with warmer areas potentially

This project was carried out to assess the levels and spatial distribution of organochlorine compounds in the coastal marine environment, using mussels as bioindicators to evaluate the coastal water quality. Levels of polychlorobiphenils (PCB), chlorinated pesticides (DDT isomers, HCH isomers, Aldrin, Dieldrin, alfa-Endosulfan, Hexachlorobenzene, Pentachlorobenzene) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in tissues from mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected along the Apulia Region coasts (Mediterranean Sea). Results indicate that contamination by organochlorine compounds is higher in mussels sampled in the Ionian Sea than in those from the Adriatic Sea, with PCB levels up to seven times higher in mussels from Ionian than from the Adriatic Sea. Although PCB levels were above the maximum values indicated by both European Community (EC) and National regulation in several sample sites, the PCB concentrations were particularly high in some stations, suggesting that these locations require a much specific attention. Conversely, results on the mussel contamination by PBDEs highlight their ubiquitous environmental distribution, and underline the need to establish the maximum level for these compounds in foodstuff, according to European Regulations.

In the last decades, blooms of Ostreopsis ovata are increasingly frequent in several Mediterranean coastal areas, sometimes causing problems to the public health. The quantification of O. ovata abundances is generally performed by quantifying the number of cells per gram of macroalga, often preventing the comparison of abundances from different sites if cell quantifications are performed on different algal species. In this paper we propose a sampling method based on the use of a modified plastic syringe designed to quantify benthic cells abundances independently from the type of substratum. The method was tested in the O. ovata monitoring carried out in the Gulf of La Spezia (Ligurian Sea) and along the Apulian coasts (Southern Italy) since 2007. In 2009 the “syringe” method was compared with the classic methodology used in national monitoring of O. ovata. The syringe method seems interesting in terms of time costs and effectiveness, both for sample collection and processing, allowing quick and s...

Heavy metals (Al, Fe, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) content was evaluated in suspended particulate matter and sediment samples collected from Vlora Bay (Albania) in the framework of Centro Internazionale di Scienze del Mare (CISM) Project activities. The trend of the metals (in general, overlapping that showed by the suspended particulate matter distribution), together with the linear correlation values found between metals, suggested the pivotal role of the Vjosa River and of the inner circulation scheme of Vlora Bay on their distribution. The geoaccumulation index, Igeo, was calculated as a criterion to assess if a metal concentration found in the sediment represents contamination level or can be considered as background level. The results show that metals concentrations in sediments can be considered near the background levels found in the Mediterranean Sea, even if some accumulation was found in several stations. The data were compared to Sediment Quality Guidelines considering the ERL ...

Recent theoretical and field studies conducted in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems have suggested that diversity could be a more complex and multi-component concept than previously thought. However, it is still poorly understood to what extent the information provided by the various indices is complementary with regard to diversity, and to what extent this complementarity is reproducible in different situations or at different scales of observation. In the present work, we have analysed the reproducibility of the empirical relationships between 11 diversity indices related to four major aspects (components) of species diversity (species richness, rarity, evenness and species taxonomy) in order to determine whether there is a general pattern of redundancy or complementarity in diversity measures that holds across years, areas and spatial scales. We have applied this approach to groundfish diversity through the analysis of 2404 trawl hauls collected during the first large-scale annual surveys carried out using a single sampling design throughout the northern Mediterranean Sea (ranging from 36.3 to 45.7 degrees N, and 5.3 degrees W to 28 degrees E). Whatever the years, areas and scales studied, we found a strong reproducibility in the number and the nature of the main complementary components of diversity. The whole set of diversity indices considered may be roughly split into 6 complementary groups of descriptors. This result highlights that, in contrast to what is still the usual practice, monitoring diversity should not be based on only one or two of the most widely used components, even at large scale. Finally, in a context where developing tools for monitoring diversity is considered as a high priority worldwide, the strong reproducibility of the relationships between diversity indices we observed offers a basis for discussion of the feasibility and relevance of proposing a general shortlist of indices for monitoring diversity at different management scales.

The state of demersal fishery in the Southern Adriatic Sea (GFCM-GSA 18, Central Mediterranean), years 1996–2003, from a biological, social and economic point of view was analysed using 47 indicators: 22 biological indicators obtained from fishery-independent data through yearly experimental bottom trawl surveys (“Medits” Programme), and 25 socio-economic indicators estimated from fishery-dependent data, available from the monitoring system of the Italian Institute for Economic Research on Fisheries and Aquaculture (IREPA). Biological indicators were applied for “single-species” (Eledone cirrhosa, E. moschata, Illex coindetti, Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Nephrops norvegicus, Parapenaeus longirostris, Raja clavata, Zeus faber) and for “multi-species” analysis. Economic indicators describing economic performance, productivity, costs and prices, and the overall economic sustainability of fishery were estimated. Social indicators and a general indicator summarising social sustainability were also considered. Indicators’ values were displayed using the Traffic Light system. Both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent indicators highlighted a progressive decline of the trawl fishery system in the GSA 18. This decline was mainly related to the ongoing depletion of the traditional fishery target species (mostly long-living, late-maturing species) partially replaced by the increase of traditional accessory species (generally short-living species), as well as to the reduction of productivity and increasing costs. The whole procedure was proposed as a contribution to the identification and applicability of bio-economic indicators for fishery management purposes.

While numerous quality guidelines unquestionably drive the management of harbour sediments, port managers increasingly require easy-to-use tools supporting them in assessing the sediment quality. In this work, a new hazard index, named cumulative Normalized and Weighted Average Concentration (c_NWAC), is proposed, considering the concentrations of main hazardous, toxic and bio-accumulative sediment contaminants. This index is an upgraded version of the previously introduced NWAC index, which considered only the metal concentrations. The c_NWAC values range from 0 to 10 scores, and their visualization on a colour base code map leads to an easy identification of hotspots. The applicability of the new index was verified using a dataset derived from the analyses of 42 samples collected at different depths of the seabed of the Port of Bari (Italy). The concentrations of 58 parameters were considered, namely 11 metals and metalloids, 17 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 16 congeners of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), further 11 organic micropollutants, total organic carbon (TOC) and nutrients (Ntot, Ptot). For the study area, the obtained c_NWAC values resulted well correlated to the corresponding values of the commonly used mean Effects Range Median quotient (mERMq), and similar hazard categories were developed for the new index, even if the latter do not necessarily explain the real sediment toxicity, because they were derived from a different sediment dataset and different test species. Moreover, the hazard predictive ability of the new index was verified (with satisfactory results) by testing the considered samples by eco-toxicological assays, using three different biological species, and comparing the obtained results to the corresponding hazard categories developed for c_NWAC.

According to the Water Framework Directive (WFD), a specific monitoring of Posidonia oceanica meadows was carried out along the Apulian coasts by the Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection (ARPA Puglia). A total of 17 sites, 11 in the Southern Adriatic Sea and 6 in the Northern Ionian Sea were investigated during two consecutive monitoring cycles (2009-2011 and 2012-2014). Sampling procedures as well as laboratory analyses (phenology and lepidochronology) were carried out according to a common methodological protocol shared at Italian national level (D.M. 260/2010) for the final ecological classification (sensu WFD) using the PREI index. In each meadow, two sampling stations were investigated by scuba divers at the fixed depth of 15 m and in correspondence of the lower bathymetric distribution limit. For each station, 9 shoots counting (40x40 cm square) and 3 covering estimates (around 5 m of radius) were carried out. In addition, 18 orthotropic shoots and a sediment sample were collected as well as some other bio-ecological data (meadow continuity, dead matte presence, bottom type, invasive algae presence, flowering, disturbance sources, lower limit type and depth). The results showed that 29% of sites were classified as “GOOD”, 59% were classified as ”MODERATE” while the remaining 12% as “POOR”, with a general slight improvement of the classification in the last monitoring cycle (2012-2014). Although the ecological quality status of the Apulian Posidonia oceanica meadows (summarized by the PREI index values) reflects the distribution of anthropic pressures on the coast (harbours, industrial and urbanized areas, river’s outlets) along a latitudinal gradient, the classification based on the rules (reference conditions and EQR boundaries for the PREI index) reported in the Italian law (D.M. 260/2010) seems to underestimate the real ecological status. Consequently, a revision of both the actual reference conditions and EQR boundaries is suggested for the BQE Posidonia oceanica in the Apulian marine waters, in order to taking account of the environmental features of two different marine basins as the south-western Adriatic Sea and the north-western Ionian Sea.

A multi-indicator system and the Traffic Light methodology (TL) to provide the first description of the Illex coindetii (Verany 1839) stock in the GFCM geographical sub-area (GSA) 18 (southern Adriatic Sea; Central Mediterranean) were applied using independent fishery data (“Mediterranean Bottom Trawl Survey”, “Medits”, programme, years 1996–2004). The trajectories of nine population indicators of Frequency of Occurrence (F), Biomass (BI), Density (DI), Recruit Strength (RS), Spawner Strength (SS), Mean Body Weight (MBW), Mantle Length (ML), Mantle Length Excluding Recruits fraction (MLER), Mean mantle Length-Females Length at maturity ratio (MLLm), were analysed using statistical estimators as arithmetic and geometric mean, median, and 75th percentile. The TL methodology was applied to analyse the resulting multiple-indicator panel. Results describe a significant trend of the I. coindetii stock (in number) in the GSA 18 related to a shift within its structure due to a greater proportion of small specimens in the population. Factors that may be contributing to the observed changes are sea temperature, the reduction of possible predators, the recovery of some prey species mostly due to the fishing pressure occurring in the area, and the fast growth and short life span of I. coindetii. In a dynamic system like the Adriatic Sea, the capability to respond quickly to the “environmental” or “ecosystem” changes seem to give I. coindetii an advantage in competition with the long lived finfish species. Accordingly, there is potential to use squid population dynamics as recorders to track environmental and ecological changes, as well as overexploitation. The adopted methodology drew attention to changes occurring within the stock of I. coindetii, and could provide an opportunity for managers to consider action at an early stage. The multi-indicator system and the TL methodology are illustrated as means to follow dynamic changes within squid stock, and to provide useful information for the assessment of the resource.

Distribution, length frequency structure, sex-ratio, maturity and dorsal mantle length–total weight relationship for Illex coindetii (Verany, 1839) were described for the first time in the South-Western Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean). Samples came from six experimental bottom trawl surveys carried out within the framework of the Medits programme from 1997 to 2002. Although specimens have been collected at a wide depth range, I. coindetii concentrates between 50 and 200 m. The population had a smaller squid size and length at first maturity with respect to other Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, probably due to the interaction of some environmental factors (sea temperature and fishing pressure) and the biological characteristics of the species. There was no difference in males/females ratio by year, but there was a general dominance of females over males at larger sizes and of males over females at smaller sizes. The different proportion of juveniles and mature individuals in the catch suggested the possibility of a prolonged spawning season with a spring spawning peak. There was a pronounced sexual dimorphism, females mature at larger mantle length attaining larger size in respect of males. Length–weight relationship revealed a difference between sexes in maturing and mature individuals only, with males resulting heavier and more robust than females at the same size. There were no differences in body proportions between unsexed and immature individuals of both sexes, which were considerably slimmer than maturing and mature counterparts.

Histamine content in fish may increase by decarboxylation of free histidine to values that can be toxic, if storage conditions are not well controlled. We have studied the influence of storage temperature and time of freezing on histamine formation in the anchovy, Engraulis encrasicholus (L., 1758), for which little information is available. Analysis, carried out by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) without sample pre-treatment, was very simple, fast and reproducible. Results indicate that temperatures above 20 degrees C notably increase histamine production, whereas freezing can clearly prevent or slow down the process.

Deep-water fish are becoming an interesting object of studies and research due to the development of deep fishery activities. This paper analyses the chemical composition and nutritional value of the fish species Mora moro (Risso, 1810) inhabiting deep Mediterranean waters. The fatty acid profile and the principal water-soluble proteins present in the white muscle of this fish species have also been determined. The major fatty acids were 22 : 6n-3, 16 : 0, 18 : 1n-9, 20 : 4n-6 and 20 : 5n-3. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content was higher than that of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids, but the ratio PUFA/SFA was lower than the value reported in other studies. Both the atherogenic index and thrombogenic index were very low. Water-soluble proteins were characterised by monodimensional native PAGE and 2-D SDS-gel electrophoresis. Protein patterns showed the presence of parvalbumins and of the principal myofibrillar proteins. Therefore, the deep-water fish M. moro could represent an interesting target for deep-sea fishery and commercial exploitation.

The composition and spatial distribution of the cephalopods in the eastern Adriatic and the eastern Ionian Sea were analysed based on the trawling campaigns performed in spring-summer period during 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000 in the framework of the MEDITS Project "International Bottom Trawl Survey in the Mediterranean Sea". Cephalopod samples were collected with an experimental bottom trawl net, at sea depths ranging between 21 and 800 meters. A total of 32 species was registered, out of which 26 were found in the northern and central Adriatic, 21 in the south Adriatic region and 26 in the eastern Ionian area. Results of the multivariate analysis revealed the existence and persistence of three main species assemblages related to the depth gradient, with minor differences between regions. Eledone moschata, Loligo vulgaris and Alloteuthis media were dominant in the assemblage related to the upper continental shelf. Eledone cirrhosa, Illex coindetii and A. media were most abundant in the group related to the transition zone and the third assemblage, observed only on the middle slope of the south-eastern Adriatic, was characterized by the highest biomass percentage of the species L. vulgaris, Todaropsis eblanae and Pteroctopus tetracirrhus. Abundance indices calculated for commercially important species L. vulgaris, I. coindetii, T. eblanae, E. cirrhosa and E. moschata, showed that the depth, sub-area and annual recruitment were important factors affecting the total variation of the abundance of these species.

Rajidae (colloquially known as skates and rays) experienced multiple and parallel adaptive radiations allowing high species diversity and great differences of species composition between regional faunas. Nevertheless, they show considerable conservation of bio-ecological, morphological and reproductive traits. The evolutionary history and dispersal of North-east Atlantic and Mediterranean rajid fauna were investigated throughout the sequence analysis of the control region and 16S rDNA mitochondrial genes. Molecular estimates of divergence times indicated recent origin and rapid dispersal of the present species. Compared with the ancient origin of the family (Late Cretaceous), the present species diversity arose in a relatively narrow time-window (12 Myr) from Middle Miocene to Early Pleistocene, likely by speciation processes related to dramatic geological and climatic events in the Mediterranean. Nucleotide substitution rates and phylogenetic relationships indicated Mediterranean endemic skates derived from sister species with wider distribution during Late Pliocene–Pleistocene. Skate phylogeny and systematics obtained using mitochondrial gene variation were largely consistent with those based on morpho-anatomical data.

In the semienclosed Adriatic Sea, the shared stocks of the cephalopods Loligo vulgaris and Sepia officinalis represent important marine fisheries resources exploited by all coastal countries. The improving of knowledge on the demographic features of these shared stocks is internationally relevant for adopting responsible management and conservation of these marine resources. Analyses of microsatellite variation in geographical samples collected from all parts of the Adriatic Sea were performed using arrays of species-specific di-nucleotide and tri-nucleotide loci. In L. vulgaris the level of genetic variability was consistent with that observed in other loliginid species, whereas the S. officinalis stock showed a microsatellite variation markedly lower than that estimated for the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations collected around the Iberian peninsula. The weak spatial genetic differentiation, the discordant results of the genetic divergence estimators and the lack of any geographical cline in the spatial genetic differences suggest the occurrence of single genetically homogeneous populations within the Adriatic stocks of both species, recommending a coordinated management of the squid and cuttlefish by the Adriatic fishing countries. On the contrary, significant differences detected in temporal replicates of S. officinalis might suggest that allelic frequency can change relating to reproductive behaviour.

The Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean skates (Rajidae) showed remarkable species diversity but with high morphological and ecological conservatism. Since skates are particularly vulnerable to the bottom trawl fishery, species-specific demographic surveys as well as studies defining life history and evolutionary traits are important in prioritising conservation programs. However, the identification of juveniles and adults of some species may be difficult using referenced guidelines and identification keys. Therefore, we attempt to develop markers for species identification through the parallel analysis of a 16S rDNA gene sequence and of several morphological characters on 135 individuals collected by trawl surveys in the Adriatic Sea and putatively assigned to six taxa. Species-specific haplotypes were defined for Raja miraletus, Raja montagui, Dipturus oxyrinchus, since a solid accordance between species boundaries and well-differentiated haplotypes was observed. Comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences allowed the identification of three juvenile specimens of Leucoraja circularis, a species that rarely occurs in the Adriatic Sea. On the contrary, morphological traits and haplotype distribution were largely discordant in Raja asterias and R. clavata. While all putative R. clavata individuals showed a unique haplotype (H-CLA), only 8 of 30 putative R. asterias individuals possessed a second weakly divergent haplotype (H-AST). The remaining 22 R. asterias carried the H-CLA. The multivariate analyses of morphometric and meristic characters in putative R. clavata and R. asterias revealed the clustering of individuals regardless of haplotypes. However, a bimodal distribution of R. asterias and R. clavata samples would suggest that two separated taxa might exist, both sharing the two 16S rDNA haplotypes. The haplotype distribution appeared to be significantly correlated only to the standardised disc length/total length (DL/TL) variation. Three alternative explanations may support this scenario: (i) an incomplete lineage sorting process in two morphologically yet distinct taxa; (ii) a recent hybridisation between the two taxa; (iii) the two taxa are morphologically plastic species and all considered morphological characters may be misleading in discriminating between them at all maturity stages, except for the DL/TL. However, further analyses on larger data sets and using molecular key markers (i.e. nuclear genes) will be needed to definitely resolve the status of these taxa. Molecular relationships among rajid taxa are largely consistent with systematics based on internal and external anatomical features. This multidisciplinary study contributed to defining the pattern of species diversity and abundance of rajids in the Adriatic Sea.