397 results on '"marine caves"'
Search Results
2. Fishes in Marine Caves.
- Author
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Kovačić, Marcelo, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, and Patzner, Robert A.
- Subjects
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CAVES , *MARINE fishes , *FISH diversity , *EYE color , *NUMBERS of species - Abstract
Fishes in marine caves have attracted limited attention by the scientific community in comparison to subterranean fishes which have lost eyes and pigmentation. They constitute a largely unexplored component of marine fish diversity, except for the relatively well-studied marine caves of the Mediterranean Sea. These habitats are characterized by steep environmental gradients of decreasing light and decreasing water exchange. The fishes recorded so far in marine caves are not exclusive residents of this habitat and they are also present at least in the other mesolithial habitats. In the Mediterranean marine caves, 132 fishes have been recorded to date, representing about 17% of the total Mediterranean fish species richness. Most of these species are reported from the anterior cave zones where some light still exists, while a smaller number of species are known from the totally dark zones. Among them, 27.3% are accidental visitors, 53.8% are the regular mesolithial visitors and switchers between mesolithion and open water, 5.3% are permanent residents of the mesolithion, but also occur in other habitats, and 13.6% are exclusive permanent residents of mesolithion. Some mesolithial exclusive permanent residents recorded in marine caves share similar morphology, probably as adaptations to these habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. First Survey of the Sponge Community of a Semi-Submerged Marine Cave along the Adriatic Apulian Coast.
- Author
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Schiavo, Antonella, Oddenino, Muriel, Giménez, Guadalupe, and Longo, Caterina
- Subjects
CAVES ,CAVE animals ,IMAGE analysis ,COASTS ,DEMOSPONGIAE ,MARINE biodiversity ,SPELEOTHEMS - Abstract
Mediterranean marine caves have been categorized as both biodiversity reservoirs and vulnerable habitats. However, only a few studies have focused on Porifera assemblages within marine caves along the Adriatic Apulian coast (southern Italy). In this study, the sponge fauna of the Rondinella cave, a semi-submerged marine cave along the coast of Bari (Southern Adriatic Sea), was investigated for the first time. The use of advanced image analysis in combination with targeted sampling has made it possible to determine the spatial distribution and diversity of Porifera along a transect from the entrance to the end of the cave. Data analysis clustered the stations into two groups, separated according to the distance from the entrance and corresponding to the cave entrance and the semi-dark zone. Sponges were found at all stations covering a considerable part of the substrate, with the highest cover values occurring in the semi-dark zone. A total of 54 sponge taxa were identified: 49 Demospongiae, 3 Homoscleromorpha, and 2 Calcarea. Six species are new records for the Apulian marine caves, one species represents a new record for marine caves, and two species are new findings for the southern Adriatic Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. From caves to seamounts: the hidden diversity of tetractinellid sponges from the Balearic Islands, with the description of eight new species.
- Author
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Díaz, Julio A., Ordines, Francesc, Massutí, Enric, and Cárdenas, Paco
- Subjects
SEAMOUNTS ,ISLANDS ,SPECIES ,BIOLOGICAL classification ,GROUNDFISHES - Abstract
The sponge fauna of the Western Mediterranean stands as one of the most studied in the world. Yet sampling new habitats and a poorly studied region like the Balearic Islands highlights once again our limited knowledge of this group of animals. This work focused on demosponges of the order Tetractinellida collected in several research surveys (2016-2021) on a variety of ecosystems of the Balearic Islands, including shallow caves, seamounts and trawl fishing grounds, in a broad depth range (0-725 m). Tetractinellid material from the North Atlantic and more than twenty type specimens were also examined and, for some, re-described in this work. All species were barcoded with the traditional molecular markers COI (Folmer fragment) and 28S (C1-C2 or C1-D2 fragment). A total of 36 species were identified, mostly belonging to the family Geodiidae (15 species), thereby bringing the number of tetractinellids recorded in the Balearic Islands from 15 to 39. Eight species from this study are new: Stelletta mortarium sp. nov., Penares cavernensis sp. nov., Penares isabellae sp. nov., Geodia bibilonae sp. nov., Geodia microsphaera sp. nov. and Geodia matrix sp. nov. from the Balearic Islands; Geodia phlegraeioides sp. nov. and Caminus xavierae sp. nov. from the North East Atlantic. Stelletta dichoclada and Erylus corsicus are reported for the first time since their description in Corsica in 1983. Pachastrella ovisternata is documented for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, after comparisons of type material, we propose new synonymies: Geodia anceps as a junior synonym of Geodia geodina, Erylus cantabricus as a junior synonym of Erylus discophorus and Spongosorites maximus as a junior synonym of Characella pachastrelloides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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- View/download PDF
5. Paleoecological reconstruction during the Holocene in the Middle Branch of Bue Marino Cave (Sardinia, Italy).
- Author
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Romano, Elena, Sechi, Daniele, Andreucci, Stefano, Bergamin, Luisa, D'Ambrosi, Andrea, De Santis, Chiara, Di Bella, Letizia, Dinelli, Enrico, Frezza, Virgilio, Pascucci, Vincenzo, Pierfranceschi, Giancarlo, and Provenzani, Claudio
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THERMOLUMINESCENCE dating , *CAVES , *PALEOECOLOGY , *HOLOCENE Epoch , *DRILL core analysis , *SEDIMENT sampling - Abstract
This study was conducted in the Middle Branch of Bue Marino Cave (Sardinia, Italy) to reconstruct paleoecological conditions during the Holocene through microfaunal proxies in seven surface sediment samples and a short sediment core (BMD-2018, 18 cm), all collected in 2018 and another core sampled in 2021 (BMD-2021, 28 cm). The first attempt at dating cave sediment through luminescence was conducted on BMD-2021; the derived age was 6.04 ± 0.47 ka at 18 cm depth. Although continuous sedimentation and constant rates are not probable in the cave, this indicates that the sedimentary record dates to the early times after the Holocene flooding of the cave by the sea. Benthic foraminifera and grain size were analyzed in all surface samples and core BMD-2018, while only benthic foraminifera were studied in BMD-2021. The recent foraminiferal assemblages, studied from an ecological point of view, were applied as modern analog to reconstruct the paleoecological conditions in sediment cores. Significant changes in the sedimentary environment were excluded; the two cores showed a similar foraminiferal turnover at a similar depth, from an older assemblage with prevailing indifferent Ammonia inflata to a younger one with prevailing opportunist Eggerelloides advena. This turnover was attributed to changes in the amount and/or quality of available nutrients. Based on these results, this event is likely related to possibly attributable to the effects of climate changes that occurred in the Holocene. However, more extensive studies are necessary to better understand the effects of the climatic/environmental events in the Late-Holocene in the caves. Although it represents a first attempt at paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on sediments from a Mediterranean marine cave, this study demonstrated that benthic foraminifera are refined paleoenvironmental proxies and that the integrated approach with the luminescence dating produces reliable results for studying the effects of global changes in these environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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6. Characteristics of submerged and partially submerged caves (habitat type 8330) in Romania.
- Author
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Drăgușin, Virgil, Vlaicu, Marius, Balan, Sorin Vasile, Baciu, Mihai, Pop, Maria Mirabela, and Orest Sambor, Alexandru
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SONAR imaging ,WATER springs ,SCUBA diving ,HABITATS ,CONTINENTAL shelf - Abstract
Underwater sea caves form a relatively under-examined habitat type within the marine regions of Europe, although they provide unique physical conditions such as reduced light and wave energy, in addition to reduced temperature amplitude. This study aimed at revealing the characteristics of submerged cavities on the southern Romanian continental shelf where six protected areas exist. We used high-resolution bathymetry data and side-scan sonar imaging to identify limestone outcrops where cavities would be most probable to form and then performed visual observation during SCUBA diving activities. We found that submerged cavities appear in all marine-protected areas and their neighboring unprotected areas from the shore to ~20-m depth mostly in the form of caverns, niches, and overhangs that meet the physical requirements of the habitat type 8330 as defined by the European Commission. We propose that habitat type 8330 should be listed in the Natura 2000 Standard Data Forms of the protected areas where it is missing, and we also propose that some protected areas should be expanded to include important areas with the occurrence of this habitat type. Finally, we note here for the first time the occurrence of Movile-type karst and an associated sulfidic water spring on the southern shore of Lake Techirghiol, similar to the region near Mangalia where it was first described in the literature. Although our finding prompts for a more detailed study, it indicates the existence of an underground ecosystem similar to that from the well-studied Movile Cave, but isolated by a distance of over 20 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Fishes in Marine Caves
- Author
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Marcelo Kovačić, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, and Robert A. Patzner
- Subjects
fishes ,marine caves ,mesolithion ,ecology ,adaptation ,diversity ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Genetics ,QH426-470 - Abstract
Fishes in marine caves have attracted limited attention by the scientific community in comparison to subterranean fishes which have lost eyes and pigmentation. They constitute a largely unexplored component of marine fish diversity, except for the relatively well-studied marine caves of the Mediterranean Sea. These habitats are characterized by steep environmental gradients of decreasing light and decreasing water exchange. The fishes recorded so far in marine caves are not exclusive residents of this habitat and they are also present at least in the other mesolithial habitats. In the Mediterranean marine caves, 132 fishes have been recorded to date, representing about 17% of the total Mediterranean fish species richness. Most of these species are reported from the anterior cave zones where some light still exists, while a smaller number of species are known from the totally dark zones. Among them, 27.3% are accidental visitors, 53.8% are the regular mesolithial visitors and switchers between mesolithion and open water, 5.3% are permanent residents of the mesolithion, but also occur in other habitats, and 13.6% are exclusive permanent residents of mesolithion. Some mesolithial exclusive permanent residents recorded in marine caves share similar morphology, probably as adaptations to these habitats.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. First Survey of the Sponge Community of a Semi-Submerged Marine Cave along the Adriatic Apulian Coast
- Author
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Antonella Schiavo, Muriel Oddenino, Guadalupe Giménez, and Caterina Longo
- Subjects
marine caves ,Porifera ,benthic communities ,Mediterranean Sea ,Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering ,VM1-989 ,Oceanography ,GC1-1581 - Abstract
Mediterranean marine caves have been categorized as both biodiversity reservoirs and vulnerable habitats. However, only a few studies have focused on Porifera assemblages within marine caves along the Adriatic Apulian coast (southern Italy). In this study, the sponge fauna of the Rondinella cave, a semi-submerged marine cave along the coast of Bari (Southern Adriatic Sea), was investigated for the first time. The use of advanced image analysis in combination with targeted sampling has made it possible to determine the spatial distribution and diversity of Porifera along a transect from the entrance to the end of the cave. Data analysis clustered the stations into two groups, separated according to the distance from the entrance and corresponding to the cave entrance and the semi-dark zone. Sponges were found at all stations covering a considerable part of the substrate, with the highest cover values occurring in the semi-dark zone. A total of 54 sponge taxa were identified: 49 Demospongiae, 3 Homoscleromorpha, and 2 Calcarea. Six species are new records for the Apulian marine caves, one species represents a new record for marine caves, and two species are new findings for the southern Adriatic Sea.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Sponge Fauna of the Apulian Marine Caves (Southern Italy): Current State of Knowledge.
- Author
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Longo, Caterina, Giménez, Guadalupe, Miscioscia, Francesco, and Corriero, Giuseppe
- Subjects
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MARINE biodiversity , *MARINE animals , *HYDROGRAPHIC surveying , *GREY literature , *SPECIES diversity , *EUROPEAN communities - Abstract
Submerged and semi-submerged marine caves are considered a European habitat of Community Interest as they preserve one of the most important biodiversity heritages in the Mediterranean and serve as refugia for endemic and/or "relict" species. Among sessile benthic taxa, caves represent significant reservoirs of sponge species richness and are well representative of the entire poriferan Mediterranean fauna. In order to assess the current knowledge of sponge species in marine caves along the Apulian coast, this study gathered data from the available literature (national and international scientific publications and grey literature) with original data, surveying 26 marine caves in the area. A total of 145 Porifera species were reported in marine caves on the Apulian coast, including 117 in the Tremiti archipelago, 33 along the Adriatic coast of Bari and 73 along the Salento Peninsula. Original data includes new records for nine species in the Corvine cave, two in the Murene cave and one in the Zinzulusa cave. Our results suggest that marine cave communities along the Apulian coast are not uniformly surveyed, being the caves of the Tremiti Islands and those of the Salento Peninsula among the best studied, while large stretches of the regional coast, although particularly rich in marine caves, are poorly investigated for their sponge fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. From prehistory to a prime minister.
- Author
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Payne, Nancy
- Subjects
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RESTAURANTS , *MARINE caves - Abstract
The article offers travel tips for New Brunswick which offers recommendations for restaurants; Fundy Highlands Motel and Chalets and sea caves.
- Published
- 2024
11. New record and new species of Laubierpholoe Pettibone, 1992 (Annelida, Sigalionidae) from the soft bottom of submarine caves near Marseille (Mediterranean Sea) with discussion on phylogeny and ecology of the genus
- Author
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Anna Zhadan, Alexander Tzetlin, Elena Vortsepneva, Tatiana Neretina, and Pierre Chevaldonné
- Subjects
Polychaeta ,Pholoinae ,identification key ,marine caves ,The Calanques ,Zoology ,QL1-991 ,Botany ,QK1-989 - Abstract
A new species of Laubierpholoe Pettibone, 1992 (Annelida, Sigalionidae), Laubierpholoe massiliana Zhadan sp. nov., was found in two submarine caves near Marseille (France). This is the first record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea. The new species differs from congeners by inhabiting soft sediments instead of having an interstitial lifestyle and by several morphological characters: the ventral tentacular cirri slightly shorter or of similar length to the dorsal tentacular cirri, the presence of bidentate neurochaetae, the body length, and the number of segments. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA sequences confirmed that the new species belongs to the genus Laubierpholoe, as well as the monophyly of the genus. The ecology of the new species and its adaptation to the cave-dwelling lifestyle are discussed. An identification key for all known species of Laubierpholoe is provided.
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- 2023
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12. Baseline for marine cave monitoring strategies in the Alboran Sea using modified Cave Ecosystem-Based Quality Index (CavEBQI).
- Author
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Lanza-Arroyo, Pablo, Sempere-Valverde, Juan, Digenis, Markos, Remón, José Miguel, Moreno, Diego, Barrajón, Agustín, de la Linde, Antonio, del Carmen Arroyo, Maria, Fernández-Casado, Manuel, Mallofret, Eugenio, Sánchez-Tocino, Luis, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, and Navarro-Barranco, Carlos
- Subjects
ENVIRONMENTAL monitoring ,TECHNOLOGICAL innovations ,CAVES ,SPECIES diversity ,BIOTIC communities - Abstract
Marine caves constitute vulnerable habitats with unique and diverse biocoenoses. Monitoring these habitats is still challenging, which hinders the ability to evaluate global and local pressures that threatens their ecological value. In this study, ecological quality is estimated in twenty-one marine caves distributed along the northern and southern coasts of the Alboran Sea, a highly understudied area regarding marine caves. For that purpose, adjustments on the original Cave Ecosystem Based Quality Index (CavEBQI) are suggested in order to efficiently estimate the ecological quality of marine caves. Several methodological aspects regarding the assessment of biotic coverage, the visual census of motile fauna and the plasticity of the index usability were evaluated. Ecological quality of marine caves was in average "good" although it ranged between "poor", "moderate" and "good" depending on the features of each cave. This study emphasizes the importance of adapting biotic indicators to biogeographical differences and technological advancements. • Twenty-one marine caves in the Alboran Sea showed positive results in biotic coverage, species richness, and quality. • The CavEBQI indicator was adapted, offering a reliable, efficient method for assessing marine cave quality. • Adapted index streamlined biotic coverage analysis from photoquadrats and included an array of target motile species. • The adapted CavEBQI provided more precise results, making it more sensitive to changes in cave-dwelling communities. • A good insight into cave-dwelling communities of the Alboran Sea is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Marine Habitats of Special Importance Along the Montenegrin Coast
- Author
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Petović, Slavica, Mačić, Vesna, Barceló, Damià, Series Editor, de Boer, Jacob, Editorial Board Member, Kostianoy, Andrey G., Series Editor, Garrigues, Philippe, Editorial Board Member, Hutzinger, Otto, Founding Editor, Gu, Ji-Dong, Editorial Board Member, Jones, Kevin C., Editorial Board Member, Knepper, Thomas P., Editorial Board Member, Negm, Abdelazim M., Editorial Board Member, Newton, Alice, Editorial Board Member, Nghiem, Duc Long, Editorial Board Member, Garcia-Segura, Sergi, Editorial Board Member, Joksimović, Aleksandar, editor, Đurović, Mirko, editor, Zonn, Igor S., editor, and Semenov, Aleksander V., editor
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. New and interesting records of marine fishes (Actinopterygii) from the Maltese Islands (central Mediterranean).
- Author
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BORG, Joseph A., EVANS, Julian, KNITTWEIS, Leyla, and SCHEMBRI, Patrick J.
- Subjects
MARINE fishes ,OSTEICHTHYES ,ACTINOPTERYGII ,SCIENTIFIC literature ,LEOPARD ,TERRITORIAL waters ,GOBIIDAE - Abstract
The occurrence of three bony ray-finned fishes, Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe, 1839), Chlopsis bicolor Rafinesque, 1810, and Grammonus ater (Risso, 1810) is reported for the first time in the scientific literature from Maltese coastal waters. The leopard-spotted goby, T. ephippiatus, was mostly recorded within the 8-32 m depth range on soft sediment and rocky bottoms within caves, but one individual was recorded on a rocky bottom with a thin layer of silt at a depth of 117 m where no cave was present. The bicolour eel, C. bicolor, was recorded within the 318-518 m depth range on rocky bottoms covered with a thin layer of muddy-detritic sediment; and the cusk-eel G. ater was recorded at a depth of 10 m within a cave. Notes on these three species as well as on another bony fish, the Azores rockling, Gaidropsarus granti (Regan, 1903), including new information on their bathymetric range and habitat association, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Sponge Fauna of the Apulian Marine Caves (Southern Italy): Current State of Knowledge
- Author
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Caterina Longo, Guadalupe Giménez, Francesco Miscioscia, and Giuseppe Corriero
- Subjects
Porifera ,marine caves ,Apulian coast ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Submerged and semi-submerged marine caves are considered a European habitat of Community Interest as they preserve one of the most important biodiversity heritages in the Mediterranean and serve as refugia for endemic and/or “relict” species. Among sessile benthic taxa, caves represent significant reservoirs of sponge species richness and are well representative of the entire poriferan Mediterranean fauna. In order to assess the current knowledge of sponge species in marine caves along the Apulian coast, this study gathered data from the available literature (national and international scientific publications and grey literature) with original data, surveying 26 marine caves in the area. A total of 145 Porifera species were reported in marine caves on the Apulian coast, including 117 in the Tremiti archipelago, 33 along the Adriatic coast of Bari and 73 along the Salento Peninsula. Original data includes new records for nine species in the Corvine cave, two in the Murene cave and one in the Zinzulusa cave. Our results suggest that marine cave communities along the Apulian coast are not uniformly surveyed, being the caves of the Tremiti Islands and those of the Salento Peninsula among the best studied, while large stretches of the regional coast, although particularly rich in marine caves, are poorly investigated for their sponge fauna.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. One on Top of the Other: Exploring the Habitat Cascades Phenomenon in Iconic Biogenic Marine Habitats.
- Author
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Kazanidis, Georgios, Guido, Adriano, Rosso, Antonietta, Sanfilippo, Rossana, Roberts, J. Murray, and Gerovasileiou, Vasilis
- Subjects
- *
MARINE habitats , *SCIENTIFIC knowledge , *DEEP-sea corals , *CORAL reefs & islands , *CORALS , *HABITATS , *MARINE biodiversity , *CAVES - Abstract
Biogenic habitats often form hot spots of biodiversity. However, the role of epibiosis and the 'habitat cascades' phenomenon in enhancing structural heterogeneity and biodiversity in biogenic habitats in remote and difficult-to-access areas is little known. In this work, we provide the first insight by exploring epibiosis across remote habitats that often support high levels of biodiversity, i.e., cold-water coral reefs and marine caves. The present study acts as a stepping-stone for the further exploration of 'habitat cascades' in habitats where scientific knowledge about this phenomenon is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Sponges from rhodolith beds surrounding Ustica Island marine protected area (southern Tyrrhenian Sea), with a comprehensive inventory of the island sponge fauna
- Author
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Caterina Longo, Giuseppe Corriero, Frine Cardone, Maria Mercurio, Cataldo Pierri, and Carlotta Nonnis Marzano
- Subjects
porifera ,ustica island ,mediterranean sea ,rhodolith beds ,coralligenous formations ,photophilous hard substrates ,marine caves ,Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling ,SH1-691 - Abstract
The sponge fauna colonizing rhodolith beds from Ustica Island marine protected area was studied. Moreover, an inventory of the sponge species present along the island’s coasts was carried out for the first time. Analysis of rhodoliths trapped in nets used by local fishermen at two sites and data obtained from underwater video images were used to identify 25 sponge taxa, 22 of them at species level. The classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha were present with 24 and 1 species, respectively. Most of the specimens were small-sized and represented by thick crusts or short erect branches. Few specimens were insinuating or excavating. Furthermore, qualitative sampling was performed on Ustica’s coralligenous formations, photophilous hard substrates and in marine caves, and the results obtained were added to the literature data. The overall checklist of sponges from Ustica encompassed 97 taxa, 90 named at species level, subdivided into 6 taxa of Calcarea, 3 of Homoscleromorpha and 88 of Demospongiae. Eleven of the species were endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, mainly concentrated on rhodoliths and in marine caves. This research adds a fundamental element to the knowledge of invertebrates associated with rhodoliths, and updates the checklist of sponges colonizing Ustica’s waters, facilitating its future monitoring.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. First report of the order Mysida (Crustacea) in Antarctic marine ice caves, with description of a new species of Pseudomma and investigations on the taxonomy, morphology and life habits of Mysidetes species.
- Author
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Wittmann, Karl J. and Chevaldonné, Pierre
- Subjects
- *
ANTARCTIC ice , *CAVES , *CRUSTACEA , *SCUBA diving , *GASTROINTESTINAL contents , *STARVATION , *LARVAE - Abstract
SCUBA diving explorations of three islands off Dumont d’Urville Station at the coast of Adélie Land, East Antarctica, enabled the observation of marine ice caves. Sampling in this unusual habitat yielded a total of three species of Mysidae, altogether previously poorly known or unknown to science. Pseudomma kryotroglodytum sp. nov. is described, based on the structure of the antennal scale, telson and on cornealike lateral portions set off against the main body of eyeplates. Mysidetes illigi is re-established at species level after almost a century in synonymy. Re-descriptions are provided for M. illigi and M. hanseni, based on types and ice cave materials. Keys to the Southern Ocean species of Pseudomma and to the world-wide species of Mysidetes are given. Phylogenetic trees are provided for the genera Pseudomma and Mysidetes. 18S rDNA sequences of P. kryotroglodytum differ from GenBank sequences of other Pseudomma species. First sequence data are given for species of the genus Mysidetes: 18S differs between the two examined species and COI is quite diverse between and within species. We found previously unknown, probably sensorial structures in these ice cave species: in P. kryotroglodytum, the basal segment of the antennula shows a pit-like depression with striated pad on the bottom and a median cyst, connected with the bottom of the eyeplate cleft. M. illigi shows a female homologue of the appendix masculina bearing a field of modified setae. Subsequent investigations demonstrated these structures also in species from other habitats. The feeding apparatus and stomach contents of the three ice cave species point to brushing of small particles (detritus, microalgae) from available surfaces, such as sediment, rock and the ice surface. Differences in the feeding apparatus are very subtle between the two Mysidetes species. The high content of fat bodies in M. hanseni could help it to survive periods of starvation. The large storage volume of the foregut in P. kryotroglodytum points to the collection of food with low nutritional quality and could help to balance strongly fluctuating food availability. Summer specimens of M. hanseni showed a bimodal frequency of developmental stages in the marsupium and bimodal size-frequency distribution of free-living stages. The females with younger brood (embryos) were, on average, larger and carried more marsupial young than those with older brood (nauplioid larvae). All examined incubating and spent females showed (almost) empty foreguts and empty ovarian tubes, suggesting possible semelparity and death following the release of young. The absence of juveniles and immature females from summer samples suggests that growth and accumulation of fat and yolk occur outside ice caves, while such caves could be used by fattened adults as shelter for brooding. A provisional interpretation proposes a biannual life cycle for M. hanseni, superimposed with shifted breeding schedules, the latter characterised by early breeding and late breeding females, probably in response to harsh physical and trophic conditions along the continental coast of Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. New records of the Indo-Pacific shrimp Urocaridella pulchella Yokes & Galil, 2006 from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
- Author
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Digenis, Markos, Ragkousis, Michail, Vasileiadou, Katerina, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, and Katsanevakis, Stelios
- Subjects
GENETIC barcoding ,SPECIES distribution ,CAVES ,SHRIMPS ,INTRODUCED species ,SPECIES - Abstract
Urocaridella pulchella Yokeş & Galil, 2006 is a palaemonid cleaner-shrimp of Indo-Pacific origin that was first described from the Mediterranean Sea in 2006. However, limited information is available about its distribution and ecology due to the small size and cryptic habit of the species. We hereby report the first records of U. pulchella in marine caves and crevices of Greece, updating the species distribution that now spreads from the Levantine Sea to the South Aegean. Species identification was based on morphological examination and DNA barcoding of collected samples and in situ photographs. We also report on the fish cleaning behaviour of the species (based on observations of cleaning behaviour to the native Mediterranean moray eel, Muraena helena), the finding of an ovigerous-female and a wide distribution range, attesting to the establishment of the species in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Lithistid Demosponges of Deep-Water Origin in Marine Caves of the North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea
- Author
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Andrzej Pisera and Vasilis Gerovasileiou
- Subjects
Porifera ,demosponges ,lithistids ,marine caves ,deep sea ,Mediterranean Sea ,Science ,General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution ,QH1-199.5 - Abstract
Desmas-bearing demosponges known as lithistids have heavily silicified skeleton and occur typically in bathyal environments of warm and tropical areas but may be found in certain shallow marine caves. Here we report, for the first time two lithistid species, i.e., Neophrissospongia endoumensis, and N. cf. nana, that were earlier known from Western Mediterranean marine caves, from four marine caves in the north-eastern Mediterranean, and their congener Neophrissospongia nolitangere from deep waters (ca. 300 m) of the Aegean Sea. All marine caves, and sections within these caves, where lithistids occur, have freshwater springs. We interpret this surprising association between lithistids and freshwater input by elevated concentration of silica in water in cave sections where such springs occur, being 8–11 times higher in comparison with shallow water outside caves, and comparable to that of deep waters, that promoted lithistids’ development. One of the studied caves harbored an abundant population of N. endoumensis which formed large masses. The age estimation of these lithistids, based on known growth rate of related deep-water sponges, suggest that they could be approximately 769–909 years old in the case of the largest specimen observed, about 100 cm large. These sponges could have colonized the caves from adjacent deep-water areas not earlier than 7,000–3,000 years ago, after the last glaciation, because earlier they were emerged. High variability of spicules, especially microscleres, and underdevelopment of megascleres may be related to silicic acid concentration.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Benthic foraminifera as environmental indicators in extreme environments: The marine cave of Bue Marino (Sardinia, Italy)
- Author
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Elena Romano, Luisa Bergamin, Letizia Di Bella, Virgilio Frezza, Giancarlo Pierfranceschi, Andrea Marassich, and Claudio Provenzani
- Subjects
Marine caves ,Benthic foraminifera ,Ecological indicators ,Cave sediment ,Sardinia ,Ecology ,QH540-549.5 - Abstract
The coast of the Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia, Italy) consists of impressive cliffs set up on dolostones and limestones characterized by wide karst systems connected to the sea. Marine caves, which are part of these system flooded by seawater through marine entrances, may be considered as extreme environments because of wide spatial and temporal environmental variability due to changing marine and terrestrial contributions. This study presents the results of the third survey carried out in summer 2016 in the Bue Marino cave, as part of a research project started in 2014 aimed at the application of Benthic Foraminifera (BF) as ecological indicators in Mediterranean marine caves for the identification of different habitats and their environmental interpretation. Sediment and water samples were collected from a total of 25 stations from two distinct sectors of the cave (North Branch and Middle Branch); sediments were analysed for living and dead BF and grain size, while Temperature, Salinity, pH and Dissolved Oxygen were measured in water samples collected close to sediment water interface. Two main foraminiferal assemblages, with distinct characteristics with respect to the typical Mediterranean shallow-water ones, were recognized by means of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling, and a Canonical Correspondence Analysis deduced their environmental significance. A well oxygenated, less saline environment with coarse bottom sediment, correlated with a mixed calcareous-agglutinated assemblage (Gavelinopsis praegeri, Rosalina spp., Eggerelloides advenus and Reophax dentaliniformis) with high species diversity (H-index 2.32–3.57) and low foraminiferal density, was exclusive of the North Branch. A scarcely oxygenated, more saline environment with fine bottom sediment enriched in vegetal debris was related to a prevalently agglutinated assemblage characterized by low species diversity (H-index 1.60–2.68), with high dominance of E. advenus (up to 83.6%) associated to Ammonia tepida, and high foraminiferal density, recognized in the Middle Branch. These different environments were interpreted considering the different modes of feeding the karst systems of the two branches. They also corresponded to two distinct ecozones, Entrance and Confluence, already recognized in earlier studies. The environmental significance of the foraminiferal ecozones recognized in this study and their comparison with the ones identified in the previous years, helped to consider the ecological zonation as a tool for detecting seasonal and, possibly, long term annual environmental variability in the marine system.
- Published
- 2021
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- View/download PDF
22. One on Top of the Other: Exploring the Habitat Cascades Phenomenon in Iconic Biogenic Marine Habitats
- Author
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Georgios Kazanidis, Adriano Guido, Antonietta Rosso, Rossana Sanfilippo, J. Murray Roberts, and Vasilis Gerovasileiou
- Subjects
epibiosis ,cold-water coral reefs ,deep sea ,biostalactites ,marine caves ,habitat engineers ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Biogenic habitats often form hot spots of biodiversity. However, the role of epibiosis and the ‘habitat cascades’ phenomenon in enhancing structural heterogeneity and biodiversity in biogenic habitats in remote and difficult-to-access areas is little known. In this work, we provide the first insight by exploring epibiosis across remote habitats that often support high levels of biodiversity, i.e., cold-water coral reefs and marine caves. The present study acts as a stepping-stone for the further exploration of ‘habitat cascades’ in habitats where scientific knowledge about this phenomenon is limited.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Benthic Foraminifera as Environmental Indicators in Mediterranean Marine Caves: A Review
- Author
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Elena Romano, Luisa Bergamin, and Mario Parise
- Subjects
benthic foraminifera ,marine caves ,ecological indicators ,paleoecological reconstruction ,Mediterranean Sea ,Geology ,QE1-996.5 - Abstract
Marine caves are characterized by wide environmental variability for the interaction between marine and continental processes. Their conditions may be defined as extreme for inhabiting organisms due to the enclosed morphology, lack of light, and scarcity of nutrients. Therefore, it is necessary to identify reliable ecological indicators for describing and assessing environmental conditions in these habitats even more than elsewhere. This review aims to provide the state of art related to the application of benthic foraminifera as proxies in the (paleo)ecological characterization of different habitats of marine caves. Special attention was addressed to a research project focused on Mediterranean marine caves with different characteristics, such as extent, morphology, freshwater influence, salinity, sediment type, oxygenation, and organic matter supply. This review aims to illustrate the reliability of foraminifera as an ecological and paleoecological indicator in these habitats. They respond to various environmental conditions with different assemblages corresponding to a very detailed habitat partitioning. Because marine caves may be considered natural laboratories for environmental variability, the results of these studies may be interpreted in the perspective of the global variability to understand the environmental drivers of future changes in marine systems.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Benthic foraminifera as proxies of marine influence in the Orosei marine caves, Sardinia, Italy.
- Author
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Romano, Elena, Bergamin, Luisa, Di Bella, Letizia, Frezza, Virgilio, Marassich, Andrea, Pierfranceschi, Giancarlo, and Provenzani, Claudio
- Subjects
FORAMINIFERA ,CAVES ,LIFE zones ,BIOINDICATORS ,HYDRAULICS ,ECOLOGICAL zones ,SPELEOTHEMS - Abstract
As a result of their location at the boundary between marine and continental domains, marine caves are affected by wide spatial and seasonal environmental changes. Only recently have benthic foraminifera been recognized as reliable indicators for the ecological zonation of these environments.The present study is focused on two marine caves of the Orosei Gulf, Sardinia, Italy: Bue Marino and Bel Torrente. It investigates the spatial and seasonal variability of benthic foraminiferal assemblages relative to sediment grain size and water parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen) collected during two campaigns in August 2014 and April 2015. The results from 2014 have been partially published.Based on a comparison of the results of the two campaigns, the considerable reduction of foraminiferal abundance in Bel Torrente was deduced to occur because of the strong freshwater flows occurring during the rainy season; in Bue Marino, the less severe water flow allowed the identification of both living and dead foraminifera, although strongly reduced in number. These identifications allowed benthic foraminifera to be used to define the ecological zonation.Entrance, confluence, and transitional ecozones were identified in Bue Marino cave on the basis of species abundance. The second ecozone, not recognized in 2014, was correlated with plant debris at the confluence of the two cave branches. The other two ecozones, which are characterized by the faunal shift from hyaline‐ to agglutinated‐prevalent assemblages, were attributed to the gradient of abiotic parameters detected from the outer to the inner portions of the cave. In both campaigns the same ecozones were recognized in terms of species composition, with exceptions being found to different extents as a result of seasonal variability.As the distribution of foraminiferal ecozones is conditioned by a decreasing gradient of marine influence, long‐term monitoring may be regarded as a promising tool for future studies on sea‐level change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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25. Rarely Reported Cryptobenthic Fish in Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
- Author
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Michail Ragkousis, Markos Digenis, Marcelo Kovačić, Stelios Katsanevakis, and Vasilis Gerovasileiou
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cryptobenthic fish ,marine caves ,cryptic habitats ,mobile species ,visual census ,Pisces ,Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering ,VM1-989 ,Oceanography ,GC1-1581 - Abstract
Data on the distribution and ecology of cryptobenthic fish of marine caves in the Mediterranean Sea are extremely scarce but necessary for scientists and marine managers alike in order to understand these fish’s ecological role and assess their conservation status. Broadscale surveys by implementing underwater visual census and photographic sampling in marine caves of the northeastern Mediterranean Sea, within different expeditions during the last 5 years, brought to light new records of eight rarely reported cryptobenthic fish species. To a smaller extent, complementary citizen science data from diving professionals of Crete were used to fill distribution gaps. A total of 36 new records (66 individuals) from 18 marine caves and caverns of the Aegean and northeastern Levantine Seas were assembled, belonging to the gobies Corcyrogobius liechtensteini, Didogobius splechtnai, Gammogobius steinitzi, and Thorogobius ephippiatus, the blenny Microlipophrys nigriceps, the tripterygiid Tripterygion melanurum, the speleophilic bythitid Grammonus ater, and the gobiesocid Lepadogaster cf. lepadogaster. The above species have been rarely reported from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with D. splechtnai and G. steinitzi being recorded for the first and second time from Greek waters, respectively, while L. cf. lepadogaster constitutes the second record of a clingfish species in a marine cave of the Aegean Sea. Interesting behavioral and ecological habits were also noted for some species, based on in situ observations and photographic evidence. Our study contributes to filling gaps in the knowledge of cave fish diversity and demonstrates that cryptobenthic mobile species in understudied cryptic habitats are more common than previously thought in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Published
- 2021
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26. Schizorhynchia (Platyhelminthes Rhabdocoela) of Lanzarote (Canary Islands), with the description of eight new species.
- Author
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Gobert, Stefan, Reygel, Patrick, and Artois, Tom
- Abstract
In this paper, an overview is given of the Schizorhynchia collected during the I International Workshop to Marine and Anchialine Meiofauna on the island of Lanzarote. Eight species previously unknown to science are described: Cheliplana curini n. sp., C. canariensis n. sp., C. sarnensis n. sp., Cheliplanilla cavavulcana n. sp., C. todaroi n. sp., Proschizorhynchus martinezi n. sp., Schizochilus lanzarotensis n. sp. and Pseudoschizorhynchoides timoshkini n. sp. These new species are primarily distinguished from their congeners by unique features in the genital system, especially the morphology of the copulatory hard structures. Additionally, new data are presented for the known species Carcharodorhynchus flavidus Brunet, 1967. We also make note of an undescribed species, probably belonging to the genus Proschizorhynchella Schilke, 1970, collected in Lanzarote. Carcharodorhynchus worsaae Reygel, Janssen & Artois, 2014, which was collected during the same sampling campaign, is also briefly mentioned. For Carcharodorhynchus flavidus, Proschizorhynchus martinezi n. sp. and Cheliplana curini n. sp., we also report on (new) localities outside of Lanzarote. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Sponge community of the western Black Sea shallow water caves: diversity and spatial distribution.
- Author
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Ereskovsky, Alexander, Kovtun, Oleg A., Pronin, Konstantin K., Apostolov, Apostol, Erpenbeck, Dirk, and Ivanenko, Viatcheslav
- Subjects
SEAWATER ,WATER depth ,CAVES ,SPONGES (Invertebrates) ,SPECIES distribution - Abstract
Marine caves possess unique biocoenotic and ecological characteristics. Sessile benthic species such as sponges associated with cave habitats typically show a marked zonation from the cave entrance towards the end of the cave. We describe three semi-submerged karstic caves of 50 to 83 m length and 936 to 2,291 m3 volume from the poorly explored cavernicolous fauna of North-East Bulgaria. We surveyed sponge diversity and spatial variability. Eight demosponge species were identified based on morphological and molecular data, of which six are known from the adjacent open sea waters of the Black Sea. Two species, Protosuberites denhartogi van Soest & de Kluijver, 2003 and Halichondria bowerbanki Burton, 1930, are reported from the Black Sea for the first time. The spatial sponge distribution inside the caves is in general similar, but shows some differences in species composition and distribution depending on cave relief and hydrodynamics. The species composition of sponges of Bulgarian caves is found to be different from Crimean caves. An updated checklist of the Black Sea sponges is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Taxonomy of Plakina (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from Aegean submarine caves, with descriptions of three new species and new characters for the genus.
- Author
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Lage, Anaíra, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Voultsiadou, Eleni, and Muricy, Guilherme
- Abstract
Sponges of the Class Homoscleromorpha, despite their high evolutionary significance, are still poorly known due to their small size and cryptic habit. In this study, we describe five species of the homoscleromorph genus Plakina from submarine caves in the Aegean Sea (Lesvos Island, Greece): Plakina bowerbanki, P. trilopha, P. anisoactina sp. nov., P. anomala sp. nov., and P. hellenica sp. nov. Plakina anomala sp. nov. is the first species of the genus with papillae and the first Homoscleromorpha with a microcavity-filling habit. Plakina bowerbanki, P. anomala sp. nov. and P. anisoactina sp. nov. present exceptionally stout, annulated lophose spicules with highly variable ramification patterns, including some original types. The high diversity of Plakina in the two caves of Lesvos Island is similar to that of northwestern Mediterranean caves. Despite being much less studied, the Aegean Sea now equals the Western Mediterranean as the two ecoregions of the Mediterranean with the highest diversity of Plakina, with eight species each. The Aegean Sea encompasses a huge number of submarine caves, and therefore it has great potential for the discovery of new species of Homoscleromorpha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Two new stygophilic tanaidomorphs (Peracarida, Tanaidacea) from Canary Islands and southeastern Iberian Peninsula.
- Author
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García-Herrero, Álvaro, Sánchez, Nuria, García-Gómez, Guillermo, Pardos, Fernando, and Martínez, Alejandro
- Abstract
Two new species of stygophilic tanaidomorphs are described from El Hierro (Canary Islands) and the Spanish Mediterranean coast from samples collected both at caves and open marine environments. Both species lack autapomorphies but are described based on their unique combination of characters. Pseudotanais isabelae sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of eyes and forcipate chelas, absence of outer seta in article 2 of maxilliped, absence of tubercles on the endite of the maxilliped, presence of 2-6 blade-like spines on the pereopods and presence of one segment on the endopod of the uropod. Zeuxo bimbache sp. nov. is diagnosed by the presence of three aesthetascs on the terminal article of the antennule, laccinia mobilis not articulated on the right mandible, wide and crenulated on the left one; basis of the maxilliped with serrated margin, article 1 of the palp without outer seta, anterior process of the coxa naked, unique chaetotaxy of the pleopods, and endopod of the uropod with three articles. These two species represent the first stygophilic members of the genera Pseudotanais and Zeuxo. Araphura brevimanus (Lilljeborg 1864) and Chondrochelia savignyi (Krøyer 1842) are also reported from our cave samples. An updated checklist of all 24 tanaidaceans recorded in caves is provided, with data on their ecological characterization and degree of troglomorphism. The ecological preferences and affinities of all tanaidaceans present in caves is briefly discussed, and compared with those of other peracarids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Spelunking Under the Sea.
- Author
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Kakaes, Konstantin
- Subjects
- *
CAVE diving , *MARINE caves , *SPELUNKERS ,YUCATAN Peninsula description & travel - Abstract
The article discusses networks of underwater caves in Mexico. The article describes spelunking the Sac Actun, Ox Bel Ha, and Dos Ojos caves underneath the Caribbean Sea on the Yucatán Peninsula. Also described are limestone sinkholes called cenotes that function as entrances to the caves. The article discusses the effort to map the caves by scuba divers and spelunkers Stephen Bogaerts and Robbie Schmittner. INSET: Take the Cenote Tour.
- Published
- 2008
31. Sponges as 'living hotels' in Mediterranean marine caves
- Author
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Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Chariton Charles Chintiroglou, Despoina Konstantinou, and Eleni Voultsiadou
- Subjects
porifera ,sponges ,marine caves ,ecosystem engineers ,symbiosis ,macrofauna ,feeding groups ,mediterranean sea ,aegean sea ,Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling ,SH1-691 - Abstract
Although sponges constitute the dominant sessile organisms in marine caves, their functional role as ecosystem engineers has received little attention in this habitat type. In this study the associated macrofauna of the massive/tubular ecosystem-engineering sponges Agelas oroides and Aplysina aerophoba was studied across distinct ecological zones of two eastern Mediterranean caves. Our results revealed that the examined sponges supported a considerable associated macrofauna. A total of 86 associated taxa were found, including species reported for the first time as sponge symbionts and typical cave dwellers. Crustaceans predominated in terms of abundance but polychaetes showed the highest number of taxa. A clear differentiation was observed in the structure of the associated assemblage between the two sponges, attributed not only to the sponge species but also to differences in the surrounding environment. Density, diversity and the trophic structure of the sponge-associated macrofauna did not vary significantly along the horizontal axis of the surveyed caves. These findings suggest that sponges form a quite stable habitat, maintaining their functional role as ecosystem engineers across the studied marine caves and increasing habitat complexity in the impoverished inner dark cave sectors.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS): a new Thematic Species Database for marine and anchialine cave biodiversity
- Author
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Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Alejandro Martínez, Fernando Álvarez, Geoff Boxshall, William F. Humphreys, Damià Jaume, Leontine E. Becking, Guilherme Muricy, Peter J. van Hengstum, Stefanie Dekeyzer, Wim Decock, Bart Vanhoorne, Leen Vandepitte, Nicolas Bailly, and Thomas M. Iliffe
- Subjects
Marine caves ,anchialine ecosystems ,biodiversi ,Science - Abstract
Scientific exploration of marine cave environments and anchialine ecosystems over recent decades has led to outstanding discoveries of novel taxa, increasing our knowledge of biodiversity. However, biological research on underwater caves has taken place only in a few areas of the world and relevant information remains fragmented in isolated publications and databases. This fragmentation makes assessing the conservation status of marine cave species especially problematic, and this issue should be addressed urgently given the stresses resulting from planned and rampant development in the coastal zone worldwide. The goal of the World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS) initiative is to create a comprehensive taxonomic and ecological database of known species from marine caves and anchialine systems worldwide and to present this as a Thematic Species Database (TSD) of the World Register of marine Species (WoRMS). WoRCS will incorporate ecological data (e.g., type of environment, salinity regimes, and cave zone) as well as geographical information on the distribution of species in cave and anchialine environments. Biodiversity data will be progressively assembled from individual database sources at regional, national or local levels, as well as from literature sources (estimate: >20,000 existing records of cave-dwelling species scattered in several databases). Information will be organized in the WoRCS database following a standard glossary based on existing terminology. Cave-related information will be managed by the WoRCS thematic editors with all data dynamically linked to WoRMS and its team of taxonomic editors. In order to mobilize data into global biogeographic databases, a Gazetteer of the Marine and Anchialine Caves of the World will be established. The presence records of species could be eventually georeferenced for submission to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) and constitute an important dataset for biogeographical and climate change studies on marine caves and anchialine systems.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. First record of microplastic in the environmental matrices of a Mediterranean marine cave (Bue Marino, Sardinia, Italy)
- Author
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Elena Romano, Luisa Bergamin, Letizia Di Bella, Matteo Baini, Daniela Berto, Andrea D'Ambrosi, Melania Di Fazio, Matteo Galli, Laura Medeghini, Cristina Panti, Claudio Provenzani, Federico Rampazzo, and Maria Cristina Fossi
- Subjects
Marine caves ,Benthic foraminifera ,Mediterranean Sea ,Microplastic ,Sediment ,Aquatic Science ,Oceanography ,Pollution - Abstract
This study investigates for the first time the presence of microplastics in sediment, water, and benthic organisms (foraminifera) of a marine cave in the Gulf of Orosei (Sardinia, Italy). Microplastics were found in all water, and sediment samples with similar shapes, sizes, and compositions; identified items were mainly fragments and fibers constituted by PVC and polyethylene. Their provenance was supposed to be predominantly from the sea than from the seasonal freshwater supplies from the karst system. Foraminiferal assemblages were mainly constituted by calcareous hyaline taxa in the outer station, while in the inner ones, the agglutinated Eggerelloides advenus was dominant. FTIR analyses on agglutinated shells identified polyethylene. Microplastic items are collected by the foraminifers and sediment grains building the shell chambers. This is the first study providing evidence that marine caves may be collectors of microplastics and that, in these habitats, microplastics enter the biotic matrix at the protist's level.
- Published
- 2023
34. Sponge community of the western Black Sea shallow water caves: diversity and spatial distribution
- Author
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Alexander Ereskovsky, Oleg A. Kovtun, Konstantin K. Pronin, Apostol Apostolov, Dirk Erpenbeck, and Viatcheslav Ivanenko
- Subjects
Bulgaria ,The Black Sea ,Porifera ,Marine caves ,Checklist ,Karst cave habitat ,Medicine ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Marine caves possess unique biocoenotic and ecological characteristics. Sessile benthic species such as sponges associated with cave habitats typically show a marked zonation from the cave entrance towards the end of the cave. We describe three semi-submerged karstic caves of 50 to 83 m length and 936 to 2,291 m3 volume from the poorly explored cavernicolous fauna of North-East Bulgaria. We surveyed sponge diversity and spatial variability. Eight demosponge species were identified based on morphological and molecular data, of which six are known from the adjacent open sea waters of the Black Sea. Two species, Protosuberites denhartogi van Soest & de Kluijver, 2003 and Halichondria bowerbanki Burton, 1930, are reported from the Black Sea for the first time. The spatial sponge distribution inside the caves is in general similar, but shows some differences in species composition and distribution depending on cave relief and hydrodynamics. The species composition of sponges of Bulgarian caves is found to be different from Crimean caves. An updated checklist of the Black Sea sponges is provided.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. First report of the order Mysida (Crustacea) in Antarctic marine ice caves, with description of a new species of Pseudomma and investigations on the taxonomy, morphology and life habits of Mysidetes species
- Author
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Karl J. Wittmann, Pierre Chevaldonné, Medizinische Universität Wien = Medical University of Vienna, Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale (IMBE), and Avignon Université (AU)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut de recherche pour le développement [IRD] : UMR237-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Arthropoda ,marine caves ,Development ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,General Ecology ,sensory organs ,Pseudomma ,polar biology ,life cycle ,Animalia ,14. Life underwater ,Malacostraca ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,molecular systematics ,Taxonomy ,Marine ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,key to species ,Biota ,Mysidae ,QL1-991 ,Mysida ,Biogeography ,Mysidetes ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Antarctic ,[SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology ,Zoology ,feeding ,Research Article - Abstract
SCUBA diving explorations of three islands off Dumont d’Urville Station at the coast of Adélie Land, East Antarctica, enabled the observation of marine ice caves. Sampling in this unusual habitat yielded a total of three species of Mysidae, altogether previously poorly known or unknown to science. Pseudomma kryotroglodytumsp. nov. is described, based on the structure of the antennal scale, telson and on cornea-like lateral portions set off against the main body of eyeplates. Mysidetes illigi is re-established at species level after almost a century in synonymy. Re-descriptions are provided for M. illigi and M. hanseni, based on types and ice cave materials. Keys to the Southern Ocean species of Pseudomma and to the world-wide species of Mysidetes are given. Phylogenetic trees are provided for the genera Pseudomma and Mysidetes. 18S rDNA sequences of P. kryotroglodytum differ from GenBank sequences of other Pseudomma species. First sequence data are given for species of the genus Mysidetes: 18S differs between the two examined species and COI is quite diverse between and within species. We found previously unknown, probably sensorial structures in these ice cave species: in P. kryotroglodytum, the basal segment of the antennula shows a pit-like depression with striated pad on the bottom and a median cyst, connected with the bottom of the eyeplate cleft. M. illigi shows a female homologue of the appendix masculina bearing a field of modified setae. Subsequent investigations demonstrated these structures also in species from other habitats. The feeding apparatus and stomach contents of the three ice cave species point to brushing of small particles (detritus, microalgae) from available surfaces, such as sediment, rock and the ice surface. Differences in the feeding apparatus are very subtle between the two Mysidetes species. The high content of fat bodies in M. hanseni could help it to survive periods of starvation. The large storage volume of the foregut in P. kryotroglodytum points to the collection of food with low nutritional quality and could help to balance strongly fluctuating food availability. Summer specimens of M. hanseni showed a bimodal frequency of developmental stages in the marsupium and bimodal size-frequency distribution of free-living stages. The females with younger brood (embryos) were, on average, larger and carried more marsupial young than those with older brood (nauplioid larvae). All examined incubating and spent females showed (almost) empty foreguts and empty ovarian tubes, suggesting possible semelparity and death following the release of young. The absence of juveniles and immature females from summer samples suggests that growth and accumulation of fat and yolk occur outside ice caves, while such caves could be used by fattened adults as shelter for brooding. A provisional interpretation proposes a biannual life cycle for M. hanseni, superimposed with shifted breeding schedules, the latter characterised by early breeding and late breeding females, probably in response to harsh physical and trophic conditions along the continental coast of Antarctica.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Biodiversity assessment in Western Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs): Porifera of Posidonia oceanica meadows (Asinara Island MPA) and marine caves (Capo Caccia-Isola Piana MPA) of Sardinia.
- Author
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Padiglia, A., Cadeddu, B., Ledda, F. D., Bertolino, M., Costa, G., Pronzato, R., and Manconi, R.
- Subjects
- *
MARINE biodiversity , *MARINE parks & reserves , *SPONGES (Invertebrates) , *MARINE caves - Abstract
This paper focuses on a faunistic inventory and the biogeographic pattern of Sardinian Porifera in a scarcely investigated Italian sea belonging to the Eastern Algero-Provençal Basin. The composition and structure of sponge fauna were studied in two priority habitats in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the North-Western Sardinian Sea. Shallow-water surveys investigated Posidonia oceanica meadows at five sites in the Asinara Island MPA and three karstic submerged caves in the Capo Caccia-Isola Piana MPA. The annotated checklist shows notably high values of taxonomic richness, confirming that P. oceanica meadows and karstic caves are key habitats for Porifera assemblages. Indeed, the sponge taxa recorded (n = 77) with 59 cave-dwelling and 45 taxa in seagrass meadows represent over 10% of the total Mediterranean sponge fauna, despite the small areas investigated, restricted biotopes and low sampling effort. This suggests that species richness is underestimated in circum-Sardinia seas. Internationally protected species (n = 6), rare species (n = 5) and Mediterranean endemic species (n = 14) were recorded. Previously investigated Posidonia meadows and caves share comparable values of species richness and endemicity with the Sardinian biotopes. The geographic range of species indicates that the biogeographic affinity of the NW Sardinian Sea sponge fauna is dominated by Atlanto-Mediterranean species. The three caves harbour a notably homogeneous sponge community, as indicated by the ca. 50% of shared species and high similarity index (> 83%). By contrast, the composition varies markedly among the five Posidonia meadows, which share only five species and display similarity values ranging ca. 20-60%. Unexpectedly when comparing these contrasting biotopes, faunal similarity is relatively low (< 40% shared species); indeed, Posidonia meadows harbour a notable number of cave-dwelling species in intermatte shaded microhabitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Avian and Skunk Predation of Ashy Storm-Petrels at Santa Cruz Island, California.
- Author
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McIver, William R., Carter, Harry R., Harvey, A. Laurie, Mazurkiewicz, David M., Howard, Jim A., Martin, Paige L., and Mason, John W.
- Subjects
- *
ASHY storm petrel , *OCEANODROMA , *PREDATION , *MARINE caves ,BAT Cave (N.M.) - Abstract
Avian and mammalian predation of Ashy Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) were documented during monthly nest monitoring in 1995–1998 and 2005–2015 and once-per-year monitoring in 1999–2004 at 5 colonies at Santa Cruz Island, California. Throughout the study period, predation by Barn Owls (Tyto alba) was documented at the sea cave colonies, and at Orizaba Rock, and likely contributed to reduced breeding success at Bat Cave in 1995–1997. Recent predation by Common Ravens (Corvus corax) caused reduced breeding success each year in 2012–2015 at Orizaba Rock (35%–48%) and in 2013 and 2015 at Bat Cave (49%–52%). Raven predation appears to be developing into a larger long-term problem that may require additional management actions, but efforts have focused on deploying artificial nests at Bat Cave to provide more protected sites. Two sea cave colonies where skunks previously had not been detected experienced major adult mortality due to unusual predation events by island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) in 2005 and 2008. At Bat Cave in 2005, 2 skunks were trapped after they had killed at least 76 Ashy Storm-Petrel adults. Prior to this mortality event, the colony contained 64–97 nests per year in 1995–1997, with low breeding success (49%–59%) related largely to organochlorine pollutants. After the skunks were caught, nest numbers increased from 19 in 2006 to 100 in 2015, with variable but generally higher breeding success (49%–90%). At Cavern Point Cove Caves in 2008, 2 skunks were trapped after killing at least 32 adults. Prior to the mortality event, this colony contained 11–17 nests per year in 1995–1997, with a lower breeding success rate of 20%–47%. Nest numbers increased from 2 in 2009 to 10 in 2015, with a variable but higher rate of breeding success (50%–80%). Skunk predation events may have been related to temporarily higher skunk populations at Santa Cruz due to low numbers of island foxes (Urocyon littoralis santacruzae). Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus santacruzae) were not significant predators of Ashy Storm-Petrels at Santa Cruz Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Status of Ashy Storm-Petrel Breeding Colonies at Santa Cruz Island, California, 1912–1998.
- Author
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Carter, Harry R., McIver, William R., McChesney, Gerard J., Whitworth, Darrell L., and Gilardi, John R.
- Subjects
- *
ASHY storm petrel , *SEA bird ecology , *MARINE caves , *BIRD breeding - Abstract
We summarized historical knowledge from 1912 to 1998 of 13 known breeding colonies of Ashy Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa) at Santa Cruz Island, California. Breeding was first reported by naturalists at Painted Cave (1912), Scorpion Rocks (1928), and Orizaba Rock (1937). During early seabird colony surveys of the Channel Islands, breeding was also noted at Cavern Point Cove Caves (1970), Diablo Rocks (1976), and Gull Island (1977). During 1991–1998, more extensive surveys of nearly all sea caves and offshore rocks documented additional breeding at Bat Cave, Cave of the Birds' Eggs, Del Mar Cove Cave, Del Mar Rock, Dry Sandy Beach Cave, Shipwreck Cave, and Willows Anchorage Rocks. Historical impacts apparently occurred from specimen collecting and interference by other nesting seabirds; however, guano harvesting may have had major impacts on nesting habitats at Scorpion Rocks (main rock) and Orizaba Rock. Impacts from organochlorine pollutants were likely extensive, and population sizes at all colonies may have been lower in the 1960s and 1970s when organochlorine pollution was at its highest level. Standardized monthly nest monitoring during 1995–1998 was used to measure reproductive success and population size at 5 colonies, creating a baseline for long-term trend monitoring that has continued annually to 2016. Mist net captures were used to estimate population sizes at 2 colonies in 1991. Estimated population size for Santa Cruz Island in 1991–1998 was 338 pairs, greater than previously reported for 1976–1977 (45–55 pairs), but the more recent estimate includes more colonies (especially 3 large colonies in sea caves), different methods of estimation, and likely some recovery from impacts associated with organochlorine pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Thirty year ecosystem trajectories in a submerged marine cave under changing pressure regime.
- Author
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Montefalcone, Monica, De Falco, Giada, Nepote, Ettore, Canessa, Martina, Bertolino, Marco, Bavestrello, Giorgio, Morri, Carla, and Bianchi, Carlo Nike
- Subjects
- *
MARINE caves , *PRESSURE , *ECOSYSTEMS , *TAXONOMY , *OCEAN bottom - Abstract
Marine caves are unique and vulnerable habitats exhibiting high biodiversity and heterogeneity, but threatened by multiple global and local disturbances. Marine caves, although widely distributed along the Mediterranean coast, suffer for the lack of quantitative data on their structure and function, which hinder their conservation status assessment. Thanks to the availability of a nearly 30-year-long series of data (1986–2013), we evaluated ecosystem change in the Bergeggi marine cave (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean), a cave with a complex shape and high habitat heterogeneity. Non-taxonomic descriptors were adopted, namely growth forms (GF) and trophic guilds (TG), which are informative about ecosystem structure and functioning, respectively. The cave experienced a general trend of change during the last three decades, mainly due to the decline in the cover of sessile organisms (especially 3-dimensional forms) matched by an increase of turf and sediment, thus causing the structural and functional homogenization of the cave community. While change before 2004 had been attributed to climatic factors (especially to the summer heat waves of 1999 and 2003), the most important rate of change was observed between 2009 and 2013, coinciding with recent major beach nourishments and the extension of the neighbouring Vado Ligure harbour, thus providing evidences on the importance of local disturbances deriving from coastal interventions. Monitoring the status of cave ecosystems is urgently needed, and the use of effective indicators, such as the specific traits here adopted (morphology and feeding strategy), could provide effective tools to assist marine cave conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Sponge community of the western Black Sea shallow water caves: diversity and spatial distribution.
- Author
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Ereskovsky, Alexander, Kovtun, Oleg A., Pronin, Konstantin K., Apostolov, Apostol, Erpenbeck, Dirk, and Ivanenko, Viatcheslav
- Subjects
SEAWATER ,WATER depth ,CAVES ,KARST ,SPONGES (Invertebrates) - Abstract
Marine caves possess unique biocoenotic and ecological characteristics. Sessile benthic species such as sponges associated with cave habitats typically show a marked zonation from the cave entrance towards the end of the cave. We describe three semi-submerged karstic caves of 50 to 83mlength and 936 to 2,291m3 volume from the poorly explored cavernicolous fauna of North-East Bulgaria. We surveyed sponge diversity and spatial variability. Eight demosponge species were identified based on morphological and molecular data, of which six are known from the adjacent open sea waters of the Black Sea. Two species, Protosuberites denhartogi van Soest & de Kluijver, 2003 and Halichondria bowerbanki Burton, 1930, are reported from the Black Sea for the first time. The spatial sponge distribution inside the caves is in general similar, but shows some differences in species composition and distribution depending on cave relief and hydrodynamics. The species composition of sponges of Bulgarian caves is found to be different from Crimean caves. An updated checklist of the Black Sea sponges is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Collecting and processing crustaceans from anchialine and marine caves.
- Author
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Iliffe, Thomas M
- Subjects
MARINE caves ,CRUSTACEAN classification ,VOLCANIC ash, tuff, etc. ,MARINE biology ,CAVE diving - Abstract
Anchialine caves are inland, salinity stratified, submerged caves in limestone or volcanic basalt, whereas marine caves are located offshore, completely beneath the seafloor. These caves contain a remarkable biodiversity, with numerous, new higher taxa being recorded in recent decades. While some faunas are Tethyan relicts with highly anomalous distributions, others have relatives inhabiting the deep sea. Cave diving is an essential tool for investigating these wholly submerged environments. As an option to standard open circuit scuba, closed circuit rebreathers provide extended dive time and minimize disturbances to the animal life. Collection techniques involve the use of plankton nets, individual vials, suction bottles, and baited traps. Preservatives include ethanol, RNA-later or special fixatives, depending upon their ultimate purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Haimormus shimojiensis, a new genus and species of Pseudozeuxidae (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) from a submarine limestone cave in Northwestern Pacific.
- Author
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Keiichi Kakui and Yoshihisa Fujita
- Subjects
CRUSTACEA ,MARINE caves ,HABITATS ,MARINE ecology - Abstract
We establish a new pseudozeuxid genus Haimormus gen. nov. based on a new species Haimormus shimojiensis sp. nov. which was collected from a submarine limestone cave with the entrance at 35 m depth, in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. H. shimojiensis differs from the other confamilial members, Pseudozeuxo belizensis Sieg, 1982 and Charbeitanais spongicola Bamber & Bird, 1997, in having the pleonite 1 without the pleopod, the pereopods 2 and 3 propodus with a ventral spiniform seta, and the pereopods 4-6 propodus with one long and two short dorsodistal setae. A key to females of species of Pseudozeuxidae is presented. This is the first tanaidacean report from submarine caves around Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Monitoring the complex benthic habitat on semi-dark underwater marine caves using photogrammetry-based 3D reconstructions
- Author
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Quiles-Pons, Carla, Baena, Ignacio, Calvo-Manazza, Matías, De La Ballina, Nuria, Díez-González, Susana, Goñi, Raquel, Mallol, Sandra, Maresca, Francesco, Morato, Mercé, Muñoz-Caballero, Anabel, Prado, Elena, Real, Enric, Sánchez, Francisco, Díaz Viñolas, David, Quiles-Pons, Carla, Baena, Ignacio, Calvo-Manazza, Matías, De La Ballina, Nuria, Díez-González, Susana, Goñi, Raquel, Mallol, Sandra, Maresca, Francesco, Morato, Mercé, Muñoz-Caballero, Anabel, Prado, Elena, Real, Enric, Sánchez, Francisco, and Díaz Viñolas, David
- Abstract
Marine caves are dark environments considered a priority habitat for conservation included in the EU Habitats Directive (H8330). They harbor fragile benthic communities and represent a major reservoir of marine biodiversity. However, there is a lack of knowledge of these habitats due to the difficulties of creating detailed benthic maps and characterizing the biodiversity, structure, and dynamics of their communities. The uniqueness of marine caves fosters their popularity among recreational divers, who can cause disturbances through abrasion of the biota, resuspension of sediment, and accumulation of exhaled air bubbles in the caves' ceilings. This study aims to build a monitoring framework to characterize the structure and temporal dynamics of this complex habitat using Structurefrom- Motion (SfM) photogrammetry. SfM is a novel, non-invasive technique that allows a major advancement in the monitoring of changes in the cave’s community assemblages. This method relies on images acquired by 4K video footage to build fine-scaled 3D digital models of the substrate using overlapping imagery. For this study, we combined SfM photogrammetry and photo quadrats extracted from the video recordings. We evaluate the effectiveness of this methodology in a marine cave highly frequented by divers, located in Illa de l’Aire (Balearic Islands, Spain), and carried out two surveys before and after the diving season (2019-2021). As a result, we found a loss of 25 colonies of bryozoans with fragile skeletons, like Schizoretepora sp., and 8 individual sponges with globose morphotypes. Our results indicate that this methodology enables accurate and efficient monitoring of benthic communities in underwater caves that allow us to better understand their dynamics and, therefore, to develop the need management measures.
- Published
- 2022
44. Amphipods from marine cave sediments of the southern Iberian Peninsula: diversity and ecological distribution
- Author
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Carlos Navarro-Barranco, José Manuel Guerra-García, Luis Sánchez-Tocino, and José Carlos García-Gómez
- Subjects
marine caves ,soft-bottom communities ,amphipoda ,benthic ecology ,mediterranean sea ,Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling ,SH1-691 - Abstract
The present study explores the amphipod assemblages of six marine caves on the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain. Replicate samples were taken both inside and outside each marine cave in order to characterize the amphipod fauna and the physicochemical properties of the sediment. As a result, 44 amphipods species were identified. The high number of species found in a relatively limited area highlighted the richness of the Alboran Sea fauna, which is mainly due to the mixture of species from different biogeographic areas. Harpinia genus was the dominant amphipod taxa inside marine caves and Perioculodes longimanus was also very abundant in the caverns. On the other hand, external communities were dominated by Siphonoecetes sabatieri, Metaphoxus fultoni and Photis longipes. There was a high degree of variability in both the internal and the external stations. Only the external station situated at low-medium depth showed a relatively homogeneous amphipod assemblage. The structure and behaviour of soft-bottom communities inside marine caves is difficult to predict because their environmental conditions depend on a particular combination of factors such as topography, depth and orientation. Therefore, no constant patterns were observed for species richness, Shannon diversity and abundance of amphipods in marine caves in comparison with open habitats. According to canonical correspondence analysis, sediment granulometry, organic matter and nitrogen concentration were the parameters that best explained the distribution of amphipods. Species were also classified by their tolerance to environmental pollution according to criteria followed by the Azti Marine Biotic Index and the BENTIX index. The great abundance of sensitive species at both the internal and external stations indicates the good ecological quality of the soft bottom studied. However, the suitability of biotic indices in marine caves should be tested in future studies.
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Microbial Biomineralization in Biotic Crusts from a Pleistocene Marine Cave (NW Sicily, Italy).
- Author
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Guido, Adriano, Rosso, Antonietta, Sanfilippo, Rossana, Russo, Franco, and Mastandrea, Adelaide
- Subjects
- *
BIOMINERALIZATION , *MARINE caves , *CRUST vegetation , *SCLERACTINIA , *BACTERIAL lipids - Abstract
Biotic crusts occurring in the Early Pleistocene Rumena Cave, in NW Sicily, have been analyzed from a geomicrobiological point of view. The crusts consist largely of scleractinians and of subordinate bryozoans and serpuloideans, all typical of submarine cave biota. Encrustations document a blind cave in a shadowed setting, or possibly below the fair weather swell zone. Autochthonous and, subordinately, detrital fractions were observed within the skeletal framework of biotic crusts. The syndepositional lithified fraction occurs mainly as very fine-grained laminations. Clotted peloidal and aphanitic (structureless) textures occur in the micrites as well. Autochthonous micrite is always associated with a significant amount of organic matter remains. In caves from the Plemmirio area in SE Sicily, the autochthonous microbial micrite, occurring in the bioconstructions, contains bacterial lipid biomarkers, including abundant compounds derived from sulfate-reducing bacteria. It is likely that a similar microbial mediation was involved in the formation of the autochthonous micrite present in the biotic crusts of the Rumena Cave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Taxonomic and functional surrogates of sessile benthic diversity in Mediterranean marine caves.
- Author
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Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Dimitriadis, Charalampos, Arvanitidis, Christos, and Voultsiadou, Eleni
- Subjects
- *
SESSILE organisms , *MARINE caves , *BENTHIC ecology , *ANIMAL diversity , *ANIMAL classification - Abstract
Hard substrates host globally a rich biodiversity, orders of magnitude higher in species number than that in surrounding soft substrates. Among them, marine caves support unique biodiversity and fragile communities but suffer lack of quantitative data on their structure and function, hindering their conservation status assessment. A first approach to the non-destructive ecological monitoring of marine caves by testing surrogates of structural and functional composition of sessile benthos was attempted in two species-rich Mediterranean marine caves. Photographic sampling was performed in different positions on the cave walls, across the horizontal axis, from the entrance inwards. Eighty-four taxa were identified and assigned to 6 biological traits and 32 modalities related to morphology, behavior and ecological affinities, with sponges being the dominant taxon in species richness and coverage. In quest of possible biological surrogates, we examined the spatial variability of the total community structure and function and separately the sponge community structure and function. The observed patterns of the above metrics were significantly correlated with the distance from the entrance, the small-scale variability and their interaction. A positive correlation was found between all examined pairs of those metrics, supporting that: (i) the developed functional approach could be used for the study of marine cave sessile communities, and (ii) sponges could be used as a surrogate taxon for the structural and functional study of these communities. The suggested method could be tested in other types of hard substrate habitats and in multiple locations of the Mediterranean waters, facilitating monitoring schemes and conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Modelling the future spread of native and alien congeneric species in subterranean habitats -- the case of Meta cave-dwelling spiders in Great Britain.
- Author
-
Mammola, Stefano
- Subjects
- *
UNDERGROUND ecology , *HABITATS , *INTRODUCED species , *INTRODUCED organisms & the environment , *GLOBAL warming , *MARINE caves - Abstract
The threshold zones between the epigean and hypogean environments are generally characterized by less harsh ecological conditions than deep subterranean habitats, and usually support a greater abundance of organisms. Transitional habitats such as these should be more easily colonised by alien species, especially by those possessing exaptations suitable for subterranean life. In spite of this, few studies have been conducted to unravel the ecological dynamics between native and alien species in the habitats situated at the epigean/hypogean interface. A unique test case is offered by cave-dwelling Meta orb-weaver spiders in Great Britain (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). One species, M. menardi, is a widespread native, whilst M. bourneti is believed to be a recently introduced (1940s) species, that has since become established in the south-eastern part of the country. Species distribution models (SDM) were used to predict current and future habitat suitability for the two species, generating hypotheses regarding their distribution in different global warming scenarios. Model projections indicate that the two species respond to similar environmental variables. Seasonal temperature variations at the surface and elevation are the main factors explaining the distribution of both species, whereas annual precipitation, daily temperature range and limestone distribution contributed little to the model performance. It is predicted that due to climate change, there will be poleward shifts in the ranges of both species. However, the native species M. menardi will primarily be able to exploit suitable areas which will appear northward to their current distribution, and M. bourneti will colonise empty niches left available by its congeneric. The analytical framework employed in this paper may be easily adapted to other subterranean systems and species, stimulating future studies focusing on the distribution of native and alien species in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Description of Heteromysis ( Olivemysis) ekamako sp. nov. (Mysida, Mysidae, Heteromysinae) from a marine cave at Nuku Hiva Island (Marquesas, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean).
- Author
-
Wittmann, Karl and Chevaldonné, Pierre
- Abstract
Combined faunistic and genetic studies in the marine Ekamako Cave at the southern coast of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, in the central Pacific, yielded Heteromysis ( Olivemysis) ekamako as a new species. This taxon differs from its congeners by a specific combination of morphological characters: flagellate, modified spines dorsally on each of the three segments of the antennular peduncle, a large smooth spine at the tip of only the second male pleopod, series of small flagellate spines along the oblique terminal margin of only the third and fourth male pleopods, and by 2-3 simple spines medially near the statocyst on the endopods of uropods. Although abundant at the entrance of Ekamako Cave, it has not been observed in nine additional submersed marine caves investigated at the Marquesas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Impact of a harbour construction on the benthic community of two shallow marine caves.
- Author
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Nepote, Ettore, Bianchi, Carlo Nike, Morri, Carla, Ferrari, Marco, and Montefalcone, Monica
- Subjects
HARBOR design & construction ,MARINE caves ,HABITATS ,BENTHIC ecology ,CLIMATE change - Abstract
Marine caves are unique and vulnerable habitats, threatened by multiple global and local disturbances. Whilst the effects of climate change on marine caves have already been investigated, no information exists about the effects of local human impacts, such as coastal development, on these habitats. This study investigated the impact of the construction of a touristic harbour on two shallow underwater marine caves in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean). As a standard methodology for monitoring marine caves does not exist yet, changes over time on the benthic community were assessed adopting two different non-taxonomic descriptors: trophic guilds and growth forms. Harbour construction caused an increase of sediment load within the caves, with a consequent decline of filter feeder organisms. Abundance of small organisms, such as encrusting and flattened sponges, was greatly reduced in comparison to organisms with larger and erect growth forms, such as domed mounds and pedunculated sponges. Our study indicated that growth forms and trophic guilds are effective descriptors for evaluating changes over time in marine caves, and could be easily standardised and applied in monitoring plans. In addition, as the harbour construction impacted differently according to the cave topography, the use of a systematic sampling in different zones of an underwater cave is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. SUBMARINE CAVES OF THE SALENTO PENSINSULA: FAUNAL ASPECTS.
- Author
-
ONORATO, MICHELE and BELMONTE, GENUARIO
- Subjects
- *
BIODIVERSITY , *MARINE caves , *PLANT species , *MEIOFAUNA , *GASTROTRICHA - Abstract
A review has been realized to contribute at the biodiversity assessment of the E.U. habitat "marine submerged caves" in the Salento Peninsula (SE Italy). Information came from the researches explicitly carried out in Salento submarine caves. The number of species recognized (639) is interestingly high notwithstanding the exclusion of plant species (present only at the entrance and not in the dark of the caves) and the limited space available (if compared with neighboring open sea areas). The list includes 385 taxa not present in the extended study of Riedel (1966) on 277 Mediterranean submarine caves. A comparison has also been carried out with the adjacent habitat of the coralligenous assemblage. The high numerical contribution to the species richness of a geographic area is due for sure to the strategy adopted to evaluate species composition of not usual (for caves) assemblages as the plankton or the meiobenthos of rocky walls, but also the inclusion of studies on rarely investigated taxa (as Gastrotricha and Facetotecta). The particularity of the environment, or the geographic position of the Salento peninsula, are probably responsible of the presence of uncommon species (55 new for Italian marine fauna, with 18 new for Science). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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