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A Dendrophyllia ramea Population in the Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) Threatened by Anthropogenic Impacts

Authors :
Michela Angiolillo
Michela Giusti
Lorenzo Rossi
Leonardo Tunesi
Source :
Frontiers in Marine Science. 9
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media SA, 2022.

Abstract

This study reports the first attempt to quantitatively describe a Dendrophyllia ramea population on the Apollo bank (Ionian Sea), revealed in summer 2021 through a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) survey. The habitat description, bathymetric distribution, population density, and structure of the species were assessed by image analysis. A well-developed population of D. ramea, located on boulders on a sedimentary plateau at 70–80 m depth, was observed. The density ranged on average between 0.17 ± 0.04 and 0.8 ± 2.4 colonies m–2 with dense patches up to 8 colonies m–2. The population consisted primarily of many isolated single corallites and colonies of various sizes, some of which reached a maximum height of more than 40 cm. Deepwater fishing activities, primarily longline fishing, negatively affected this species. The newly collected data add knowledge about this vulnerable scleractinian coral. The documented negative effect of fishing activities on vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) species further highlights the need for urgent conservation measures.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22967745
Volume :
9
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Frontiers in Marine Science
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....17c09d1c18eebc0f896249147413908e
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.838274