A system of marine animal bioconstructions in the mesophotic zone along the Southeastern Italian coast

Author:

Cardone Frine,Corriero Giuseppe,Longo Caterina,Pierri Cataldo,Gimenez Guadalupe,Gravina Maria Flavia,Giangrande Adriana,Lisco Stefania,Moretti Massimo,De Giosa Francesco,Mercurio Maria,Marzano Carlotta Nonnis

Abstract

A widespread and diversified mesophotic system of carbonate bioconstructions along the Southern Adriatic and Ionian Italian coasts is described, providing new data on the distribution, structure and associated megabenthic assemblages of mesophotic Mediterranean bioconstructions. The bioconstructions were detected at six different sites off the coasts of Apulia, in presence of marked morphological escarpments, developing on a basal substrate consisting of meso-Cenozoic carbonate rocks. Two biogenic structure types were observed, one mainly built by the nonsymbiotic scleractinians Phyllangia americana mouchezii and Polycyathus muellerae, at depths between approximately 35 and 55 m, and the other by the oyster Neopycnodonte cochlear, at depths from approximately 40 to 70 m. A total of 52 taxa of megabenthic invertebrates, belonging to 6 phyla, were found on the surface of the mesophotic bioconstructions, thus confirming the role of biodiversity hotspots of these carbonate structures. Megabenthic assemblages showed a remarkable heterogeneity both in pattern of species and abundance, probably depending on both the morphological differences of the seabed and the life traits of the single species. Primary bioconstructors seemed to influence the associated community pattern. This peculiar system deserves sound conservation measures in the light of the holistic ecosystem approach for the management of coastal marine areas.

Funder

Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA

Subject

Ocean Engineering,Water Science and Technology,Aquatic Science,Global and Planetary Change,Oceanography

Reference40 articles.

1. Zur Kenntnis der marinen Hohlenfauna unter besonderer Beriicksichtigung der Anthozoen;Abel;Pubblicazioni della Stazione Zoologica di Napoli,1959

2. Offshore Neopycnodonte oyster reefs in the Mediterranean Sea;Angeletti;Diversity,2020

3. Mediterranean Coralligenous assemblages: a synthesis of present knowledge. Oceanogr. Mar. Biol. Ann. Rev.;Ballesteros,2006

4. Positive interactions in communities;Bertness;Trends Ecol. Evol.,1994

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3