21.
Kokokiris, Lambros E.; Minos, George; Nathanailides, Cosmas; Papadaki, Maria; Mylonas, Constantinos C.
Effects of GnRHa Delivery Systems on Spermiation and Sperm Quality in Captive Male Thicklip Grey Mullet (Chelon labrosus) Journal Article
In: Fishes, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 210, 2026, ISSN: 2410-3888.
@article{kokokiris_effects_2026,
title = {Effects of GnRHa Delivery Systems on Spermiation and Sperm Quality in Captive Male Thicklip Grey Mullet (\textit{Chelon labrosus})},
author = {Lambros E. Kokokiris and George Minos and Cosmas Nathanailides and Maria Papadaki and Constantinos C. Mylonas},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/11/4/210
/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Kokokiris-fishes-16.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/fishes11040210},
issn = {2410-3888},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-04-07},
urldate = {2026-04-01},
journal = {Fishes},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {210},
abstract = {The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa), administered through injections or with sustained-release implants, on spermiation and sperm quality in thicklip grey mullet, Chelon labrosus. Male broodstock transferred from extensive lagoons were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: (a) weekly saline injections (Saline-INJ), (b) weekly GnRHa injections (10 μg kg−1 bw; GnRHa-INJ), and (c) a single GnRHa EVAc implant (50 μg kg−1 bw; GnRHa-IMP). Males were maintained with females under the same treatment protocols and allowed to spawn. Sperm condition, density, motility, duration of motility, and androgen levels were evaluated weekly at five sampling points (Days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28). All males exhibited complete spermiation during the first two weeks (Days 0 and 7), followed by a gradual decline throughout the rest of the study (Days 14 and 21). This pattern of decline was not as evident in the groups treated with GnRHa, especially in the GnRHa-INJ group. Sperm density, motility, and motility duration varied strongly over time; however, no significant differences were observed among treatments. GnRHa treatment prolonged the spermiation period and delayed its seasonal decline without significantly altering sperm quality. These results may enable more frequent sperm collection and greater sperm availability, as inferred from the spermiation condition (SCI) and qualitative observations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa), administered through injections or with sustained-release implants, on spermiation and sperm quality in thicklip grey mullet, Chelon labrosus. Male broodstock transferred from extensive lagoons were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: (a) weekly saline injections (Saline-INJ), (b) weekly GnRHa injections (10 μg kg−1 bw; GnRHa-INJ), and (c) a single GnRHa EVAc implant (50 μg kg−1 bw; GnRHa-IMP). Males were maintained with females under the same treatment protocols and allowed to spawn. Sperm condition, density, motility, duration of motility, and androgen levels were evaluated weekly at five sampling points (Days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28). All males exhibited complete spermiation during the first two weeks (Days 0 and 7), followed by a gradual decline throughout the rest of the study (Days 14 and 21). This pattern of decline was not as evident in the groups treated with GnRHa, especially in the GnRHa-INJ group. Sperm density, motility, and motility duration varied strongly over time; however, no significant differences were observed among treatments. GnRHa treatment prolonged the spermiation period and delayed its seasonal decline without significantly altering sperm quality. These results may enable more frequent sperm collection and greater sperm availability, as inferred from the spermiation condition (SCI) and qualitative observations.
22.
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sánchez-Espinosa, Antonio; Rodríguez-Rodríguez, David; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Mazarrasa, Inés; Bouafif, Cyrine; Ouerghi, Atef; Malak, Dania Abdul
In: Mediterranean Marine Science, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 159–172, 2026, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X.
@article{gerovasileiou_updated_2026,
title = {Updated distribution mapping of Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous assemblages and marine caves in the Mediterranean Sea: implications for conservation and restoration},
author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Antonio Sánchez-Espinosa and David Rodríguez-Rodríguez and Simonetta Fraschetti and Inés Mazarrasa and Cyrine Bouafif and Atef Ouerghi and Dania Abdul Malak},
url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/43060
/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Gerovasileiou-MMS-15.pdf},
doi = {10.12681/mms.43060},
issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-04-03},
urldate = {2026-03-01},
journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science},
volume = {27},
number = {1},
pages = {159–172},
abstract = {Marine habitats in the Mediterranean Sea play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services, and climate resilience. However, they are facing escalating threats from anthropogenic pressures. This study, coordinated and financially supported by the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) under the Barcelona Convention, presents an updated, harmonized assessment of the distribution and protection status of three iconic benthic habitats: Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous assemblages, and marine caves. A standardized methodology was applied to compile, review, harmonize, and aggregate fine-scale data from regional databases, National Focal Points (NFPs), expert networks, and online repositories. Posidonia oceanica meadows were mapped over 22,379 km² across 15 Mediterranean countries, with 95% within territorial waters and 37% in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Coralligenous assemblages and maërl beds covered 2,889.5 km² in 13 countries, in line with previous modelling estimates, with 67.1% located within MPAs, particularly in the central and western regions. Approximately 3,000 marine caves were identified across 15 countries, representing the first country-level spatial inventory of this habitat. Nearly 69% of known caves are located in MPAs, although lacking specific conservation measures. Despite significant progress, notable limitations remain. Data quality and availability are uneven across regions, and inconsistencies in classification, spatial resolution, and ecological descriptors – especially for coralligenous assemblages and marine cave typologies – limit detailed habitat representation. This study highlights persistent knowledge gaps in parts of North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and non-EU coastal states, and provides a robust baseline for conservation planning and supports regional monitoring efforts under the Barcelona Convention. Future priorities include addressing data gaps, standardizing classification systems, prioritizing sites for conservation and restoration to strengthen marine habitat protection and recovery and enhance the ecological effectiveness of MPAs.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Marine habitats in the Mediterranean Sea play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services, and climate resilience. However, they are facing escalating threats from anthropogenic pressures. This study, coordinated and financially supported by the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) under the Barcelona Convention, presents an updated, harmonized assessment of the distribution and protection status of three iconic benthic habitats: Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous assemblages, and marine caves. A standardized methodology was applied to compile, review, harmonize, and aggregate fine-scale data from regional databases, National Focal Points (NFPs), expert networks, and online repositories. Posidonia oceanica meadows were mapped over 22,379 km² across 15 Mediterranean countries, with 95% within territorial waters and 37% in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Coralligenous assemblages and maërl beds covered 2,889.5 km² in 13 countries, in line with previous modelling estimates, with 67.1% located within MPAs, particularly in the central and western regions. Approximately 3,000 marine caves were identified across 15 countries, representing the first country-level spatial inventory of this habitat. Nearly 69% of known caves are located in MPAs, although lacking specific conservation measures. Despite significant progress, notable limitations remain. Data quality and availability are uneven across regions, and inconsistencies in classification, spatial resolution, and ecological descriptors – especially for coralligenous assemblages and marine cave typologies – limit detailed habitat representation. This study highlights persistent knowledge gaps in parts of North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and non-EU coastal states, and provides a robust baseline for conservation planning and supports regional monitoring efforts under the Barcelona Convention. Future priorities include addressing data gaps, standardizing classification systems, prioritizing sites for conservation and restoration to strengthen marine habitat protection and recovery and enhance the ecological effectiveness of MPAs.
23.
Chatzigeorgiou, Georgios; Rallis, Ioannis; Lampa, Maria; Plaitis, Wanda; Zenetos, Argyro
Non-Indigenous Species in Four Major Greek Marinas: A Closer View of Polychaeta Journal Article
In: Diversity, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 197, 2026, ISSN: 1424-2818.
@article{chatzigeorgiou_non-indigenous_2026,
title = {Non-Indigenous Species in Four Major Greek Marinas: A Closer View of Polychaeta},
author = {Georgios Chatzigeorgiou and Ioannis Rallis and Maria Lampa and Wanda Plaitis and Argyro Zenetos},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/18/4/197
/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Chatzigeorgiou-diversity-14.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/d18040197},
issn = {1424-2818},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-31},
urldate = {2026-03-01},
journal = {Diversity},
volume = {18},
number = {4},
pages = {197},
abstract = {Ports and recreational marinas are established hotspots for the introduction and secondary spread of non-indigenous species (NIS), mainly via vessel transport and biofouling on artificial substrates. In the AlienPorts project, we surveyed fouling and associated macrobenthic assemblages in four major Greek marinas across distinct marine regions—Rhodes (Levantine), Heraklion and Piraeus–Zea (Aegean), and Patra (Ionian)—from 2021 to 2022, applying two complementary protocols: (i) photoquadrat surveys and (ii) scraped assemblage sampling. The photoquadrats recorded twelve NIS and seven cryptogenic species, which were dominated by sessile fouling taxa, especially ascidians. The scraped samples revealed 106 polychaete and amphipod species, including 25 taxa (23 NIS, two cryptogenic). Six of the polychaetes are new NIS for the Mediterranean, and thirteen of the taxa are newly recorded as NIS in Greek waters. Heraklion had the highest NIS richness (18 NIS + two cryptogenic), while the other marinas hosted approximately ten NIS/cryptogenic taxa. In contrast, NIS often dominated the population densities, with Zea being the most impacted based on the NIS to native species ratios for both diversity and abundance. The two methods detected largely distinct biodiversity components and shared only one NIS, underscoring a strong complementarity. The multivariate analyses confirmed significant differences among marinas (ANOSIM, p < 0.01). These results support integrated, multi-method monitoring to enhance the early detection and impact assessment under MSFD Descriptor 2.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Ports and recreational marinas are established hotspots for the introduction and secondary spread of non-indigenous species (NIS), mainly via vessel transport and biofouling on artificial substrates. In the AlienPorts project, we surveyed fouling and associated macrobenthic assemblages in four major Greek marinas across distinct marine regions—Rhodes (Levantine), Heraklion and Piraeus–Zea (Aegean), and Patra (Ionian)—from 2021 to 2022, applying two complementary protocols: (i) photoquadrat surveys and (ii) scraped assemblage sampling. The photoquadrats recorded twelve NIS and seven cryptogenic species, which were dominated by sessile fouling taxa, especially ascidians. The scraped samples revealed 106 polychaete and amphipod species, including 25 taxa (23 NIS, two cryptogenic). Six of the polychaetes are new NIS for the Mediterranean, and thirteen of the taxa are newly recorded as NIS in Greek waters. Heraklion had the highest NIS richness (18 NIS + two cryptogenic), while the other marinas hosted approximately ten NIS/cryptogenic taxa. In contrast, NIS often dominated the population densities, with Zea being the most impacted based on the NIS to native species ratios for both diversity and abundance. The two methods detected largely distinct biodiversity components and shared only one NIS, underscoring a strong complementarity. The multivariate analyses confirmed significant differences among marinas (ANOSIM, p < 0.01). These results support integrated, multi-method monitoring to enhance the early detection and impact assessment under MSFD Descriptor 2.
24.
Chatzinikolaou, Eva; Keklikoglou, Kleoniki; Vernadou, Emmanouela; Dailianis, Thanos
In: Biodiversity Data Journal, vol. 14, pp. e186719, 2026, ISSN: 1314-2828, 1314-2836.
@article{chatzinikolaou_experimental_2026,
title = {Experimental exposure to climate change scenarios imposed alterations on the morphological traits of sessile and low-motility marine invertebrates},
author = {Eva Chatzinikolaou and Kleoniki Keklikoglou and Emmanouela Vernadou and Thanos Dailianis},
url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/186719/
/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Chatzinikolaou-BioDJ-12.pdf},
doi = {10.3897/BDJ.14.e186719},
issn = {1314-2828, 1314-2836},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-20},
urldate = {2026-03-01},
journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal},
volume = {14},
pages = {e186719},
abstract = {Over the past 50 years, the oceans have absorbed over 90% of global warming heat, leading to warming, acidification and declining oxygen levels that are disrupting marine ecosystems and altering species distributions and productivity. The vulnerability of marine organisms to these changes depends on their biological traits, habitat conditions and adaptive capacity, influencing their growth, behaviour and overall population health. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has been previously used for studying the morphological traits of marine invertebrates, which provide important insights into species functionality and responses to climate change and ocean acidification. Micro-CT enables non-destructive, high-resolution 3D analysis of internal and external structures, allowing precise measurement of traits such as density, porosity and morphology that are valuable for climate change research.
The present manuscript describes micro-CT imaging datasets generated to investigate the effects of climate change on the morphological structure of two benthic marine invertebrates: the low-motility gastropod
Hexaplex trunculus
(Linnaeus, 1758) and the sessile sponge
Chondrilla nucula
Schmidt, 1862. Both species are considered particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. To date, no study has investigated the effects of ocean warming and acidification on sponges using micro-CT technology. Using a common garden experimental design, individuals from geographically distinct populations exposed to different natural environmental regimes were subjected to combined warming and acidification scenarios to assess their morphological responses and adaptive capacity.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Over the past 50 years, the oceans have absorbed over 90% of global warming heat, leading to warming, acidification and declining oxygen levels that are disrupting marine ecosystems and altering species distributions and productivity. The vulnerability of marine organisms to these changes depends on their biological traits, habitat conditions and adaptive capacity, influencing their growth, behaviour and overall population health. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has been previously used for studying the morphological traits of marine invertebrates, which provide important insights into species functionality and responses to climate change and ocean acidification. Micro-CT enables non-destructive, high-resolution 3D analysis of internal and external structures, allowing precise measurement of traits such as density, porosity and morphology that are valuable for climate change research.
The present manuscript describes micro-CT imaging datasets generated to investigate the effects of climate change on the morphological structure of two benthic marine invertebrates: the low-motility gastropod
Hexaplex trunculus
(Linnaeus, 1758) and the sessile sponge
Chondrilla nucula
Schmidt, 1862. Both species are considered particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. To date, no study has investigated the effects of ocean warming and acidification on sponges using micro-CT technology. Using a common garden experimental design, individuals from geographically distinct populations exposed to different natural environmental regimes were subjected to combined warming and acidification scenarios to assess their morphological responses and adaptive capacity.
The present manuscript describes micro-CT imaging datasets generated to investigate the effects of climate change on the morphological structure of two benthic marine invertebrates: the low-motility gastropod
Hexaplex trunculus
(Linnaeus, 1758) and the sessile sponge
Chondrilla nucula
Schmidt, 1862. Both species are considered particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. To date, no study has investigated the effects of ocean warming and acidification on sponges using micro-CT technology. Using a common garden experimental design, individuals from geographically distinct populations exposed to different natural environmental regimes were subjected to combined warming and acidification scenarios to assess their morphological responses and adaptive capacity.
25.
Gratsia, Eirini; Zenetos, Argyro; Digenis, Markos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Kasapidis, Panagiotis; Karakassis, Ioannis
In: Diversity, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 127, 2026, ISSN: 1424-2818.
@article{gratsia_hulls_2026,
title = {From Hulls to Caves: Insights into the Introduction and Expansion of Non-Indigenous Marine Bivalves of the Genera Isognomon and Malleus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea},
author = {Eirini Gratsia and Argyro Zenetos and Markos Digenis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Panagiotis Kasapidis and Ioannis Karakassis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/18/2/127
/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Gratsia-diversity-11.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/d18020127},
issn = {1424-2818},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-17},
urldate = {2026-02-01},
journal = {Diversity},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {127},
abstract = {Although the Eastern Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for marine bioinvasions, the accurate identification and monitoring of non-indigenous species (NIS) remain impeded by the ambiguous morphologies of species and limited regional genetic data. This study applied an integrative approach, combining morphological identification with DNA barcoding, to assess the taxonomy and expansion of bivalves from the genera Isognomon and Malleus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Specimens were collected from a broad range of habitats, including marinas, ship hulls, reefs, and marine caves. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two distinct Isognomon species in the region: I. bicolor, frequently associated with artificial substrates and showing evidence of multiple introductions, and I. aff. legumen, restricted to cryptic natural habitats. A single species of Malleus cf. regula was also detected, clustering with sequences from neighboring Mediterranean regions. The study highlights the limitations of morphology-based taxonomy and the urgent need to enhance genetic reference databases, particularly with sequences from areas of nativity. As NIS increasingly expand from anthropogenic habitats into natural ecosystems, validated data are essential for risk assessment and conservation management.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Although the Eastern Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for marine bioinvasions, the accurate identification and monitoring of non-indigenous species (NIS) remain impeded by the ambiguous morphologies of species and limited regional genetic data. This study applied an integrative approach, combining morphological identification with DNA barcoding, to assess the taxonomy and expansion of bivalves from the genera Isognomon and Malleus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Specimens were collected from a broad range of habitats, including marinas, ship hulls, reefs, and marine caves. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two distinct Isognomon species in the region: I. bicolor, frequently associated with artificial substrates and showing evidence of multiple introductions, and I. aff. legumen, restricted to cryptic natural habitats. A single species of Malleus cf. regula was also detected, clustering with sequences from neighboring Mediterranean regions. The study highlights the limitations of morphology-based taxonomy and the urgent need to enhance genetic reference databases, particularly with sequences from areas of nativity. As NIS increasingly expand from anthropogenic habitats into natural ecosystems, validated data are essential for risk assessment and conservation management.
26.
Gonzalez-Marrero, Y.; Canepa-Oneto, A.; Clemente, S.; Cristobo, J.; Hernandez-Gonzalez, C.; Herrero-Perez, A.; Adrover-Huesca, M.; Gerovasileiou, V.
The vulnerability paradox in Atlantic marine caves: A multiscale mechanistic explanation from wave exposure to cave gradients Journal Article
In: Marine Environmental Research, vol. 217, pp. 107915, 2026, ISSN: 01411136.
@article{gonzalez-marrero_vulnerability_2026,
title = {The vulnerability paradox in Atlantic marine caves: A multiscale mechanistic explanation from wave exposure to cave gradients},
author = {Y. Gonzalez-Marrero and A. Canepa-Oneto and S. Clemente and J. Cristobo and C. Hernandez-Gonzalez and A. Herrero-Perez and M. Adrover-Huesca and V. Gerovasileiou},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S014111362600084X
/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Gonzalez-Marrero-MER-10.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.107915},
issn = {01411136},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-11},
urldate = {2026-03-11},
journal = {Marine Environmental Research},
volume = {217},
pages = {107915},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
27.
Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Konsta, Katerina; Çinar, Melih Ertan; Doğan, Alper; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Gatti, Giulia; d’Avray, Laure Thierry De Ville; Sini, Maria; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Mazaris, Antonios D.; Koutsoubas, Drosos
Assessing the limits: citizen science data accuracy in underwater monitoring Journal Article
In: Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 75, 2026, ISSN: 0960-3115, 1572-9710.
@article{dimitriadis_assessing_2026,
title = {Assessing the limits: citizen science data accuracy in underwater monitoring},
author = {Charalampos Dimitriadis and Katerina Konsta and Melih Ertan Çinar and Alper Doğan and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Giulia Gatti and Laure Thierry De Ville d’Avray and Maria Sini and Stelios Katsanevakis and Antonios D. Mazaris and Drosos Koutsoubas},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10531-026-03290-3
/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Dimitriadis-BiodCons-9-proof.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s10531-026-03290-3},
issn = {0960-3115, 1572-9710},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-09},
urldate = {2026-03-01},
journal = {Biodiversity and Conservation},
volume = {35},
number = {3},
pages = {75},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
28.
Christofilogiannis, Ioannis; Georgopoulou, Dimitra G.; Vouidaskis, Charalabos; Choulakis, Zacharias; Voskakis, Dimitris; Papandroulakis, Nikos
Corrigendum to “Automatic detection of fin, operculum, and skin deformities in Mediterranean fish species” [Aquac. Eng. 113 (2026) 102684] Journal Article
In: Aquacultural Engineering, vol. 113, pp. 102704, 2026, ISSN: 01448609.
@article{christofilogiannis_corrigendum_2026,
title = {Corrigendum to “Automatic detection of fin, operculum, and skin deformities in Mediterranean fish species” [Aquac. Eng. 113 (2026) 102684]},
author = {Ioannis Christofilogiannis and Dimitra G. Georgopoulou and Charalabos Vouidaskis and Zacharias Choulakis and Dimitris Voskakis and Nikos Papandroulakis},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0144860926000208
/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Christofilogiannis-AquaEng-8.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aquaeng.2026.102704},
issn = {01448609},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-06},
urldate = {2026-03-01},
journal = {Aquacultural Engineering},
volume = {113},
pages = {102704},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
29.
Stefanos, Katsoulis-Dimitriou; Antigoni, Vasilaki; Morgane, Henry; Eleni, Fountoulaki; Chrysanthi, Nikoloudaki; Maria, Mastoraki; Petros, Chronopoulos; Elvira, Alcalde; Koen, Meynen; Elena, Mente; Ioannis, Nengas
In: Aquaculture, vol. 617, pp. 743743, 2026, ISSN: 00448486.
@article{stefanos_effects_2026,
title = {Effects of dietary lysophospholipids and butyrate supplementation on growth, feed utilization, fillet fatty acids, intestinal enzymes, innate immunity and liver and gut histology in European Sea bass, \textit{Dicentrarchus labrax}},
author = {Katsoulis-Dimitriou Stefanos and Vasilaki Antigoni and Henry Morgane and Fountoulaki Eleni and Nikoloudaki Chrysanthi and Mastoraki Maria and Chronopoulos Petros and Alcalde Elvira and Meynen Koen and Mente Elena and Nengas Ioannis},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0044848626001262
/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Katsoulis-Dimitriou-Aqua-7.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.743743},
issn = {00448486},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-03},
urldate = {2026-04-01},
journal = {Aquaculture},
volume = {617},
pages = {743743},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
30.
Samiotaki, Katerina; Papadaki, Maria; Sigelaki, Irini; Manini, Evangelia; Hmida, Sabrin; Katharios, Pantelis; Ruetten, Maja; Karapanagiotis, Stelios; Mylonas, Constantinos C.
In: Aquaculture, vol. 617, pp. 743740, 2026, ISSN: 00448486.
@article{samiotaki_induction_2026,
title = {Induction of sex inversion and feminization in the protandrous gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) with 17β-estradiol implants, and its effects on egg production and quality},
author = {Katerina Samiotaki and Maria Papadaki and Irini Sigelaki and Evangelia Manini and Sabrin Hmida and Pantelis Katharios and Maja Ruetten and Stelios Karapanagiotis and Constantinos C. Mylonas},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0044848626001237
/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Samiotaki-AQUA-6.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aquaculture.2026.743740},
issn = {00448486},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-26},
urldate = {2026-04-01},
journal = {Aquaculture},
volume = {617},
pages = {743740},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
31.
Mammola, Stefano; Brankovits, David; Lorenzo, Tiziana Di; Amorim, Isabel R.; Bancila, Raluca Ioana; Bellvert, Adrià; Bernard, Enrico; Blomberg, Anna; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Cappelletti, Martina; Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes; Gabriel, Rosalina; Galassi, Diana M. P.; Garzoli, Laura; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Hose, Grant C.; Korbel, Kathryn L.; Martino, Simone; Miller, Ana Z; Mori, Nataša; Nanni, Veronica; Nicolosi, Giuseppe; Saccò, Mattia; Sakihara, Troy S.; Silva, Marconi Souza; Tamalavage, Anne E.; Zagmajster, Maja; Chávez, Efraín; Griebler, Christian; Cardoso, Pedro; Martínez, Alejandro
Subterranean environments contribute to three‐quarters of classified ecosystem services Journal Article
In: Biological Reviews, pp. brv.70137, 2026, ISSN: 1464-7931, 1469-185X.
@article{mammola_subterranean_2026,
title = {Subterranean environments contribute to three‐quarters of classified ecosystem services},
author = {Stefano Mammola and David Brankovits and Tiziana Di Lorenzo and Isabel R. Amorim and Raluca Ioana Bancila and Adrià Bellvert and Enrico Bernard and Anna Blomberg and Paulo A. V. Borges and Martina Cappelletti and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira and Rosalina Gabriel and Diana M. P. Galassi and Laura Garzoli and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Grant C. Hose and Kathryn L. Korbel and Simone Martino and Ana Z Miller and Nataša Mori and Veronica Nanni and Giuseppe Nicolosi and Mattia Saccò and Troy S. Sakihara and Marconi Souza Silva and Anne E. Tamalavage and Maja Zagmajster and Efraín Chávez and Christian Griebler and Pedro Cardoso and Alejandro Martínez},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brv.70137
/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Mammola-Biological-Reviews-5.pdf},
doi = {10.1002/brv.70137},
issn = {1464-7931, 1469-185X},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-16},
urldate = {2026-02-01},
journal = {Biological Reviews},
pages = {brv.70137},
abstract = {ABSTRACT
Beneath the Earth's surface lies a network of interconnected caves, voids, and systems of fissures forming in rocks of sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic origin. Although largely inaccessible to humans, this hidden realm supports and regulates services critical to ecological health and human well‐being. Subterranean ecosystems are integral to major biogeochemical cycles, sustain diverse surface habitats, and serve as the primary source of irrigation and drinking water. They also offer non‐material benefits, including scientific discovery, education, and cultural practices. Yet, these contributions often go unrecognised, partly due to the lack of a unified synthesis of ecosystem services across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine subterranean compartments. This gap limits effective communication of their value to scientists, practitioners, and the public. Through a systematic expert‐based review, we show that subterranean ecosystems contribute to up to 75% of classified ecosystem services. Notably, many of these contributions are described only qualitatively, lacking numerical or economic quantification. Next, we list examples of the main ecosystem services provided by subterranean systems to offer a global overview of their multifaceted value and vulnerability to environmental change. We believe this synthesis provides researchers and practitioners with concrete examples to communicate more effectively the importance of subterranean ecosystems to diverse audiences.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACT
Beneath the Earth's surface lies a network of interconnected caves, voids, and systems of fissures forming in rocks of sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic origin. Although largely inaccessible to humans, this hidden realm supports and regulates services critical to ecological health and human well‐being. Subterranean ecosystems are integral to major biogeochemical cycles, sustain diverse surface habitats, and serve as the primary source of irrigation and drinking water. They also offer non‐material benefits, including scientific discovery, education, and cultural practices. Yet, these contributions often go unrecognised, partly due to the lack of a unified synthesis of ecosystem services across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine subterranean compartments. This gap limits effective communication of their value to scientists, practitioners, and the public. Through a systematic expert‐based review, we show that subterranean ecosystems contribute to up to 75% of classified ecosystem services. Notably, many of these contributions are described only qualitatively, lacking numerical or economic quantification. Next, we list examples of the main ecosystem services provided by subterranean systems to offer a global overview of their multifaceted value and vulnerability to environmental change. We believe this synthesis provides researchers and practitioners with concrete examples to communicate more effectively the importance of subterranean ecosystems to diverse audiences.
Beneath the Earth's surface lies a network of interconnected caves, voids, and systems of fissures forming in rocks of sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic origin. Although largely inaccessible to humans, this hidden realm supports and regulates services critical to ecological health and human well‐being. Subterranean ecosystems are integral to major biogeochemical cycles, sustain diverse surface habitats, and serve as the primary source of irrigation and drinking water. They also offer non‐material benefits, including scientific discovery, education, and cultural practices. Yet, these contributions often go unrecognised, partly due to the lack of a unified synthesis of ecosystem services across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine subterranean compartments. This gap limits effective communication of their value to scientists, practitioners, and the public. Through a systematic expert‐based review, we show that subterranean ecosystems contribute to up to 75% of classified ecosystem services. Notably, many of these contributions are described only qualitatively, lacking numerical or economic quantification. Next, we list examples of the main ecosystem services provided by subterranean systems to offer a global overview of their multifaceted value and vulnerability to environmental change. We believe this synthesis provides researchers and practitioners with concrete examples to communicate more effectively the importance of subterranean ecosystems to diverse audiences.
32.
Chatzinikolaou, Eva; Grigoriou, Panagiotis; Anastasiadis, Athanasios; Vernadou, Emmanouela; Dailianis, Thanos
A standardised experimental setup for simulating ocean warming and acidification in benthic marine invertebrates Journal Article
In: Biodiversity Data Journal, vol. 14, pp. e185047, 2026, ISSN: 1314-2828, 1314-2836.
@article{chatzinikolaou_standardised_2026,
title = {A standardised experimental setup for simulating ocean warming and acidification in benthic marine invertebrates},
author = {Eva Chatzinikolaou and Panagiotis Grigoriou and Athanasios Anastasiadis and Emmanouela Vernadou and Thanos Dailianis},
url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/185047/
/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Chatzinikolaou-BDJ-4.pdf},
doi = {10.3897/BDJ.14.e185047},
issn = {1314-2828, 1314-2836},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-11},
urldate = {2026-02-01},
journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal},
volume = {14},
pages = {e185047},
abstract = {Recent studies identify ocean warming and acidification as major drivers of ecological change in the Eastern Mediterranean, posing serious threats to marine biodiversity, particularly for sessile or low-mobility organisms that cannot escape unfavourable conditions. At the same time, the need for standardised experimental approaches capable of generating high-quality data on organismal responses to multiple climate stressors has become increasingly evident. This manuscript presents a fully detailed and replicable experimental framework for simulating ocean warming and acidification in benthic marine invertebrates under controlled laboratory conditions. Detailed protocols include the technical set-up, experimental design, selection of climate scenarios, monitoring procedures and criteria for species selection and demonstrating its application through a validation case study from the MACCIMO project.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Recent studies identify ocean warming and acidification as major drivers of ecological change in the Eastern Mediterranean, posing serious threats to marine biodiversity, particularly for sessile or low-mobility organisms that cannot escape unfavourable conditions. At the same time, the need for standardised experimental approaches capable of generating high-quality data on organismal responses to multiple climate stressors has become increasingly evident. This manuscript presents a fully detailed and replicable experimental framework for simulating ocean warming and acidification in benthic marine invertebrates under controlled laboratory conditions. Detailed protocols include the technical set-up, experimental design, selection of climate scenarios, monitoring procedures and criteria for species selection and demonstrating its application through a validation case study from the MACCIMO project.
33.
Orestis, Stavrakidis-Zachou; Sidera, Paraskevi; Nikos, Papandroulakis
Behavioral responses of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, fingerlings under the influence of an electromagnetic field Journal Article
In: Aquaculture International, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 60, 2026, ISSN: 1573-143X.
@article{orestis_behavioral_2026,
title = {Behavioral responses of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, fingerlings under the influence of an electromagnetic field},
author = {Stavrakidis-Zachou Orestis and Paraskevi Sidera and Papandroulakis Nikos},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10499-026-02468-4
/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Stavrakidis-AquaInt-3.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s10499-026-02468-4},
issn = {1573-143X},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-06},
urldate = {2026-02-01},
journal = {Aquaculture International},
volume = {34},
number = {2},
pages = {60},
abstract = {Abstract
The advent of wind farming as a renewable energy source necessitates assessment of the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on fish, especially when done in conjunction with aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of an EMF on the behavior of European sea bass fingerlings. A T-maze apparatus was used to record the behavior of the fish with and without the presence of a static EMF of 10 mT and subsequently, several behavioral metrics were analyzed using specialized software. Our results suggest that E. sea bass can perceive magnetic fields. Compared to the control group, fish exposed to the EMF showed reduced exploratory behavior with longer periods of immobility, traveled a shorter total distance, and exhibited freezing behavior at an increased frequency. In addition, fish showed a preference for the geomagnetic south. The findings offer valuable contributions to our understanding of EMF effects on fish, which in turn may be useful in shaping the future of fish farming in conjunction with energy production
.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
The advent of wind farming as a renewable energy source necessitates assessment of the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on fish, especially when done in conjunction with aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of an EMF on the behavior of European sea bass fingerlings. A T-maze apparatus was used to record the behavior of the fish with and without the presence of a static EMF of 10 mT and subsequently, several behavioral metrics were analyzed using specialized software. Our results suggest that E. sea bass can perceive magnetic fields. Compared to the control group, fish exposed to the EMF showed reduced exploratory behavior with longer periods of immobility, traveled a shorter total distance, and exhibited freezing behavior at an increased frequency. In addition, fish showed a preference for the geomagnetic south. The findings offer valuable contributions to our understanding of EMF effects on fish, which in turn may be useful in shaping the future of fish farming in conjunction with energy production
.
The advent of wind farming as a renewable energy source necessitates assessment of the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on fish, especially when done in conjunction with aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of an EMF on the behavior of European sea bass fingerlings. A T-maze apparatus was used to record the behavior of the fish with and without the presence of a static EMF of 10 mT and subsequently, several behavioral metrics were analyzed using specialized software. Our results suggest that E. sea bass can perceive magnetic fields. Compared to the control group, fish exposed to the EMF showed reduced exploratory behavior with longer periods of immobility, traveled a shorter total distance, and exhibited freezing behavior at an increased frequency. In addition, fish showed a preference for the geomagnetic south. The findings offer valuable contributions to our understanding of EMF effects on fish, which in turn may be useful in shaping the future of fish farming in conjunction with energy production
.
34.
Santi, Ioulia; Pavloudi, Christina; Abagnale, Maria; Azua, Iñigo; Baña, Zuriñe; Bastianini, Mauro; Belser, Caroline; Berg, Kristel; Bilbao, Jone; Bird, Kimberley; Broudin, Caroline; Camusat, Mathieu; Cancio, Ibon; Caray-Counil, Louis; Casotti, Raffaella; Castel, Jade; Comtet, Thierry; Cox, Cymon; Cunliffe, Michael; Daguin, Claire; Deneudt, Klaas; Cerio, Oihane Díaz De; Exter, Katrina; Fauvelot, Cécile; Fontana, Yann; Frada, Miquel; Galand, Pierre; Gallia, Roberto; Garczarek, Laurence; Fernández, Jose González; Guillou, Laure; Heynderickx, Hanneloor; Koplovitz, Gil; Labrune, Celine; Lagaisse, Rune; Laroquette, Arnaud; Lescure, Lyvia; Lopes, Eva; Loulakaki, Melina; Louro, Bruno; Magalhães, Catarina; Margiotta, Francesca; Moal, Hannah; Moussy, Alice; Not, Fabrice; Percopo, Isabella; Rosendo, Estefanía Paredes; Péru, Erwan; Poulain, Julie; Praebel, Kim; Rigaut-Jalabert, Fabienne; Romac, Sarah; Rzeznik-Orignac, Jadwiga; Sarno, Diana; Troncoso, Jesús Souza; Thiébaut, Eric; Thomas, Wilfried; Tkacz, Andrzej; Tramontano, Ferdinando; Trano, Anna Chiara; Wincker, Patrick; Pade, Nicolas
In: Biodiversity Data Journal, vol. 14, pp. e178484, 2026, ISSN: 1314-2828, 1314-2836.
@article{santi_next_2026,
title = {Next release of the European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON) shotgun metagenomic data from water and sediment samples (Release 2)},
author = {Ioulia Santi and Christina Pavloudi and Maria Abagnale and Iñigo Azua and Zuriñe Baña and Mauro Bastianini and Caroline Belser and Kristel Berg and Jone Bilbao and Kimberley Bird and Caroline Broudin and Mathieu Camusat and Ibon Cancio and Louis Caray-Counil and Raffaella Casotti and Jade Castel and Thierry Comtet and Cymon Cox and Michael Cunliffe and Claire Daguin and Klaas Deneudt and Oihane Díaz De Cerio and Katrina Exter and Cécile Fauvelot and Yann Fontana and Miquel Frada and Pierre Galand and Roberto Gallia and Laurence Garczarek and Jose González Fernández and Laure Guillou and Hanneloor Heynderickx and Gil Koplovitz and Celine Labrune and Rune Lagaisse and Arnaud Laroquette and Lyvia Lescure and Eva Lopes and Melina Loulakaki and Bruno Louro and Catarina Magalhães and Francesca Margiotta and Hannah Moal and Alice Moussy and Fabrice Not and Isabella Percopo and Estefanía Paredes Rosendo and Erwan Péru and Julie Poulain and Kim Praebel and Fabienne Rigaut-Jalabert and Sarah Romac and Jadwiga Rzeznik-Orignac and Diana Sarno and Jesús Souza Troncoso and Eric Thiébaut and Wilfried Thomas and Andrzej Tkacz and Ferdinando Tramontano and Anna Chiara Trano and Patrick Wincker and Nicolas Pade},
url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/178484/
/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Santi-BDJ-2.pdf},
doi = {10.3897/BDJ.14.e178484},
issn = {1314-2828, 1314-2836},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-27},
urldate = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal},
volume = {14},
pages = {e178484},
abstract = {The European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON) is a long-term genomic observatory run by the European Research Infrastructure European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC). It was established in 2021 to support the challenges of biodiversity observation and unsystematic management of biodiversity data in the European seas. EMO BON introduced and coordinated the systematic and harmonised observation of biodiversity amongst more than fourteen marine stations in the European coastline. Here, we report the next release (Release 2) of shotgun metagenomic data from seawater and sediment microbial communities.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON) is a long-term genomic observatory run by the European Research Infrastructure European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC). It was established in 2021 to support the challenges of biodiversity observation and unsystematic management of biodiversity data in the European seas. EMO BON introduced and coordinated the systematic and harmonised observation of biodiversity amongst more than fourteen marine stations in the European coastline. Here, we report the next release (Release 2) of shotgun metagenomic data from seawater and sediment microbial communities.
35.
Reverté, Jaume; Alkassar, Mounira; Rambla-Alegre, Maria; Sanchez-Henao, Andres; Mandalakis, Manolis; Peristeraki, Panagiota; Sureda, Francesc X.; Diogène, Jorge; Campàs, Mònica
Mechanistic insights into antibody recognition of tetrodotoxin analogues: Implications for neurotoxicological assessment Journal Article
In: Chemico-Biological Interactions, vol. 424, pp. 111871, 2026, ISSN: 00092797.
@article{reverte_mechanistic_2026,
title = {Mechanistic insights into antibody recognition of tetrodotoxin analogues: Implications for neurotoxicological assessment},
author = {Jaume Reverté and Mounira Alkassar and Maria Rambla-Alegre and Andres Sanchez-Henao and Manolis Mandalakis and Panagiota Peristeraki and Francesc X. Sureda and Jorge Diogène and Mònica Campàs},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0009279725005010
/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Reverte-CBInter-1.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.cbi.2025.111871},
issn = {00092797},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-01-09},
urldate = {2026-01-01},
journal = {Chemico-Biological Interactions},
volume = {424},
pages = {111871},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
36.
Kogiannou, Dimitra; Kotsiri, Mado; Nikoloudaki, Chrysanthi; Kakagianni, Myrsini; Grigorakis, Kriton
Biochemical and Physical Factors Contributing to Seasonal Variations of Fillet Gaping in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Journal Article
In: vol. 2025, no. 1, pp. 3044512, 2025, ISSN: 1355-557X, 1365-2109.
@article{kogiannou_biochemical_2025,
title = {Biochemical and Physical Factors Contributing to Seasonal Variations of Fillet Gaping in Gilthead Seabream (\textit{Sparus aurata})},
author = {Dimitra Kogiannou and Mado Kotsiri and Chrysanthi Nikoloudaki and Myrsini Kakagianni and Kriton Grigorakis},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/are/3044512
/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-Kogiannou-AR-82.pdf},
doi = {10.1155/are/3044512},
issn = {1355-557X, 1365-2109},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-30},
urldate = {2025-12-30},
volume = {2025},
number = {1},
pages = {3044512},
abstract = {The gaping phenomenon in gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
) causes profitability problems for the relevant aquaculture industry. To gain insights into the factors affecting gaping in gilthead seabream, the seasonality of gaping intensity and the relative contribution of postmortem physical and chemical factors to the fillet integrity were investigated. Gilthead seabream of commercial weight (400–600 g) were sampled seasonally. Gaping frequencies were evaluated and related to water holding capacity (WHC), muscle pH, proximate composition, ATP breakdown products (
K
‐value), total collagen content, and collagen fractions. With the exception of the
K
‐value, all examined physical and chemical parameters were seasonally affected. Moreover, gaping score frequencies were found to be statistically different among seasons. It was evident that during seasons with high water temperatures (summer and autumn), gaps in muscle tissue of gilthead seabream were more pronounced, while a mitigation of gaping intensity appeared during wintertime. ATP breakdown as a measure of chemical freshness, proximate composition, pH, and collagen levels, showed no correlation with gaping intensity, but a clear negative correlation was observed between high gaping incidences and WHC. There was also a strong correlation between gaping incidences and collagen fractions. A higher amount of acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) was observed during summer, highlighting that collagen solubility affects gaping in farmed gilthead seabream. Overall, our results demonstrate that seasonal gaping variability in this species is primarily a result of temperature‐driven changes in collagen solubility.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The gaping phenomenon in gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
) causes profitability problems for the relevant aquaculture industry. To gain insights into the factors affecting gaping in gilthead seabream, the seasonality of gaping intensity and the relative contribution of postmortem physical and chemical factors to the fillet integrity were investigated. Gilthead seabream of commercial weight (400–600 g) were sampled seasonally. Gaping frequencies were evaluated and related to water holding capacity (WHC), muscle pH, proximate composition, ATP breakdown products (
K
‐value), total collagen content, and collagen fractions. With the exception of the
K
‐value, all examined physical and chemical parameters were seasonally affected. Moreover, gaping score frequencies were found to be statistically different among seasons. It was evident that during seasons with high water temperatures (summer and autumn), gaps in muscle tissue of gilthead seabream were more pronounced, while a mitigation of gaping intensity appeared during wintertime. ATP breakdown as a measure of chemical freshness, proximate composition, pH, and collagen levels, showed no correlation with gaping intensity, but a clear negative correlation was observed between high gaping incidences and WHC. There was also a strong correlation between gaping incidences and collagen fractions. A higher amount of acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) was observed during summer, highlighting that collagen solubility affects gaping in farmed gilthead seabream. Overall, our results demonstrate that seasonal gaping variability in this species is primarily a result of temperature‐driven changes in collagen solubility.
Sparus aurata
) causes profitability problems for the relevant aquaculture industry. To gain insights into the factors affecting gaping in gilthead seabream, the seasonality of gaping intensity and the relative contribution of postmortem physical and chemical factors to the fillet integrity were investigated. Gilthead seabream of commercial weight (400–600 g) were sampled seasonally. Gaping frequencies were evaluated and related to water holding capacity (WHC), muscle pH, proximate composition, ATP breakdown products (
K
‐value), total collagen content, and collagen fractions. With the exception of the
K
‐value, all examined physical and chemical parameters were seasonally affected. Moreover, gaping score frequencies were found to be statistically different among seasons. It was evident that during seasons with high water temperatures (summer and autumn), gaps in muscle tissue of gilthead seabream were more pronounced, while a mitigation of gaping intensity appeared during wintertime. ATP breakdown as a measure of chemical freshness, proximate composition, pH, and collagen levels, showed no correlation with gaping intensity, but a clear negative correlation was observed between high gaping incidences and WHC. There was also a strong correlation between gaping incidences and collagen fractions. A higher amount of acid‐soluble collagen (ASC) was observed during summer, highlighting that collagen solubility affects gaping in farmed gilthead seabream. Overall, our results demonstrate that seasonal gaping variability in this species is primarily a result of temperature‐driven changes in collagen solubility.
37.
Gavriilidou, Athina; Stamatakis, Alexandros; Kupczok, Anne; Bista, Iliana; Jiggins, Chris D; Fernández, Rosa; Skourtanioti, Eirini; Amoutzias, Grigoris; Delneri, Daniela; Kyrpides, Nikos; Nikolaou, Christoforos; Pittis, Alexandros A; Manousaki, Tereza; Vakirlis, Nikolaos
In: Bioinformatics Advances, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. vbaf223, 2025, ISSN: 2635-0041.
@article{gavriilidou_advances_2024,
title = {Advances and challenges in understanding evolution through genome comparison: meeting report of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) lecture course “Evolutionary and Comparative Genomics”},
author = {Athina Gavriilidou and Alexandros Stamatakis and Anne Kupczok and Iliana Bista and Chris D Jiggins and Rosa Fernández and Eirini Skourtanioti and Grigoris Amoutzias and Daniela Delneri and Nikos Kyrpides and Christoforos Nikolaou and Alexandros A Pittis and Tereza Manousaki and Nikolaos Vakirlis},
editor = {Michael DeGiorgio},
url = {https://academic.oup.com/bioinformaticsadvances/article/doi/10.1093/bioadv/vbaf223/8277547
/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-Gabriilidou-BioAdv-81.pdf},
doi = {10.1093/bioadv/vbaf223},
issn = {2635-0041},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-30},
urldate = {2024-12-01},
journal = {Bioinformatics Advances},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {vbaf223},
abstract = {Abstract
This perspective outlines emerging trends, key challenges, and future opportunities in evolutionary and comparative genomics. Our starting point are the topics presented at the 2024 EMBO Early Career Lecture Course “Evolutionary and Comparative Genomics”, which highlighted recent conceptual and methodological advances in areas ranging from microbial pangenomes, protein evolution, hybrid speciation, novel gene origination and transposon dynamics. Here, we emphasize the role of computational and molecular approaches, providing a forward-looking view on where the field is headed and how it is being reshaped by new technologies and approaches.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
This perspective outlines emerging trends, key challenges, and future opportunities in evolutionary and comparative genomics. Our starting point are the topics presented at the 2024 EMBO Early Career Lecture Course “Evolutionary and Comparative Genomics”, which highlighted recent conceptual and methodological advances in areas ranging from microbial pangenomes, protein evolution, hybrid speciation, novel gene origination and transposon dynamics. Here, we emphasize the role of computational and molecular approaches, providing a forward-looking view on where the field is headed and how it is being reshaped by new technologies and approaches.
This perspective outlines emerging trends, key challenges, and future opportunities in evolutionary and comparative genomics. Our starting point are the topics presented at the 2024 EMBO Early Career Lecture Course “Evolutionary and Comparative Genomics”, which highlighted recent conceptual and methodological advances in areas ranging from microbial pangenomes, protein evolution, hybrid speciation, novel gene origination and transposon dynamics. Here, we emphasize the role of computational and molecular approaches, providing a forward-looking view on where the field is headed and how it is being reshaped by new technologies and approaches.
38.
Bottacini, Davide; Noordman, Carien; Renaud, Victor; Skouradakis, Grigorios; Dailianis, Thanos; Mastoraki, Maria; Chatzifotis, Stavros; Kotrschal, Alexander
Camouflage in a moving predator: testing for background choice in stalking lionfish ( textitPterois miles ) Journal Article
In: Royal Society Open Science, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 250836, 2025, ISSN: 2054-5703.
@article{bottacini_camouflage_2025,
title = {Camouflage in a moving predator: testing for background choice in stalking lionfish ( textitPterois miles )},
author = {Davide Bottacini and Carien Noordman and Victor Renaud and Grigorios Skouradakis and Thanos Dailianis and Maria Mastoraki and Stavros Chatzifotis and Alexander Kotrschal},
url = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/12/12/250836/366120/Camouflage-in-a-moving-predator-testing-for
/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-Bottacini-RSOS-80.pdf},
doi = {10.1098/rsos.250836},
issn = {2054-5703},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-30},
urldate = {2025-12-01},
journal = {Royal Society Open Science},
volume = {12},
number = {12},
pages = {250836},
abstract = {Abstract
Predation is pervasive in the natural world, where predators and prey have evolved spectacular mechanisms to avoid detection and recognition. An example is camouflage through background matching, which allows animals to resemble their background. Animals can move strategically towards backgrounds that match their morphology (background choice) to enhance camouflage. We studied the relevance of background choice in lionfish (Pterois miles), conspicuous stalking predators that could take advantage of background matching by resembling corals and other invertebrates in their surroundings. We offered different background combinations to hunting lionfish and we found that they indeed account for their background while hunting, although the response did not support the hypothesis that the preference is determined by background matching. Lionfish deviated towards a rocky background, which closely resembled the substrate where lionfish were caught (rocky reefs in the Mediterranean Sea). We suggest that lionfish showed a preference for a rocky background because in the Mediterranean they live on rocky reefs. While we cannot rule out that background matching played a role in background choice, we suggest that remaining close to a rocky reef while hunting offers lionfish the best combination of easy access to hiding spots and high availability of prey.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Predation is pervasive in the natural world, where predators and prey have evolved spectacular mechanisms to avoid detection and recognition. An example is camouflage through background matching, which allows animals to resemble their background. Animals can move strategically towards backgrounds that match their morphology (background choice) to enhance camouflage. We studied the relevance of background choice in lionfish (Pterois miles), conspicuous stalking predators that could take advantage of background matching by resembling corals and other invertebrates in their surroundings. We offered different background combinations to hunting lionfish and we found that they indeed account for their background while hunting, although the response did not support the hypothesis that the preference is determined by background matching. Lionfish deviated towards a rocky background, which closely resembled the substrate where lionfish were caught (rocky reefs in the Mediterranean Sea). We suggest that lionfish showed a preference for a rocky background because in the Mediterranean they live on rocky reefs. While we cannot rule out that background matching played a role in background choice, we suggest that remaining close to a rocky reef while hunting offers lionfish the best combination of easy access to hiding spots and high availability of prey.
Predation is pervasive in the natural world, where predators and prey have evolved spectacular mechanisms to avoid detection and recognition. An example is camouflage through background matching, which allows animals to resemble their background. Animals can move strategically towards backgrounds that match their morphology (background choice) to enhance camouflage. We studied the relevance of background choice in lionfish (Pterois miles), conspicuous stalking predators that could take advantage of background matching by resembling corals and other invertebrates in their surroundings. We offered different background combinations to hunting lionfish and we found that they indeed account for their background while hunting, although the response did not support the hypothesis that the preference is determined by background matching. Lionfish deviated towards a rocky background, which closely resembled the substrate where lionfish were caught (rocky reefs in the Mediterranean Sea). We suggest that lionfish showed a preference for a rocky background because in the Mediterranean they live on rocky reefs. While we cannot rule out that background matching played a role in background choice, we suggest that remaining close to a rocky reef while hunting offers lionfish the best combination of easy access to hiding spots and high availability of prey.
39.
Karoumpali, Marina; Marco, Moreno Di; Parmakelis, Aristeidis; Stoumboudi, Maria; Sarropoulou, Elena; Radea, Canela; Kotsakiozi, Panayiota
Identifying possible hotspots of human pressure on European gastropods Journal Article
In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. 146, no. 3, pp. blaf085, 2025, ISSN: 0024-4066, 1095-8312.
@article{karoumpali_identifying_2025,
title = {Identifying possible hotspots of human pressure on European gastropods},
author = {Marina Karoumpali and Moreno Di Marco and Aristeidis Parmakelis and Maria Stoumboudi and Elena Sarropoulou and Canela Radea and Panayiota Kotsakiozi},
url = {https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article/doi/10.1093/biolinnean/blaf085/8312933},
doi = {10.1093/biolinnean/blaf085},
issn = {0024-4066, 1095-8312},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-22},
urldate = {2025-11-01},
journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society},
volume = {146},
number = {3},
pages = {blaf085},
abstract = {Abstract
Human activities are impacting the biosphere, driving unprecedented rates of species loss. Yet, little is known about the ranges of these threats and how they impact invertebrate species. Despite the extensive efforts to preserve biodiversity globally, most of the strategies are designed for vertebrates, whereas invertebrates are seriously underrepresented. European gastropod species, in particular, are a taxon of high conservation interest given the high number of threatened species and the high levels of endemism. Yet the distribution of their threats remains largely unmapped. In this study, we intersect individual ranges of European threatened and near-threatened gastropods with seven human pressure layers to estimate the cumulative overlap between each species and the pressure to which it is sensitive. We found that about one-fifth of the species have their entire distribution range overlapping with at least one relevant pressure, and about one-third of the species coexist with multiple pressures somewhere within their distributions. Our analyses unveil hotspots of impacted and coolspots of unimpacted gastropod biodiversity, providing information for future conservation planning.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Human activities are impacting the biosphere, driving unprecedented rates of species loss. Yet, little is known about the ranges of these threats and how they impact invertebrate species. Despite the extensive efforts to preserve biodiversity globally, most of the strategies are designed for vertebrates, whereas invertebrates are seriously underrepresented. European gastropod species, in particular, are a taxon of high conservation interest given the high number of threatened species and the high levels of endemism. Yet the distribution of their threats remains largely unmapped. In this study, we intersect individual ranges of European threatened and near-threatened gastropods with seven human pressure layers to estimate the cumulative overlap between each species and the pressure to which it is sensitive. We found that about one-fifth of the species have their entire distribution range overlapping with at least one relevant pressure, and about one-third of the species coexist with multiple pressures somewhere within their distributions. Our analyses unveil hotspots of impacted and coolspots of unimpacted gastropod biodiversity, providing information for future conservation planning.
Human activities are impacting the biosphere, driving unprecedented rates of species loss. Yet, little is known about the ranges of these threats and how they impact invertebrate species. Despite the extensive efforts to preserve biodiversity globally, most of the strategies are designed for vertebrates, whereas invertebrates are seriously underrepresented. European gastropod species, in particular, are a taxon of high conservation interest given the high number of threatened species and the high levels of endemism. Yet the distribution of their threats remains largely unmapped. In this study, we intersect individual ranges of European threatened and near-threatened gastropods with seven human pressure layers to estimate the cumulative overlap between each species and the pressure to which it is sensitive. We found that about one-fifth of the species have their entire distribution range overlapping with at least one relevant pressure, and about one-third of the species coexist with multiple pressures somewhere within their distributions. Our analyses unveil hotspots of impacted and coolspots of unimpacted gastropod biodiversity, providing information for future conservation planning.
40.
Koumpaki, Eleni; Maidanou, Maria; Chatzigeorgiou, Georgios; Rallis, Ioannis; Mavraki, Dimitra; Dounas, Costas; Arvanitidis, Christos; Koulouri, Panayota
Macrobenthic communities of the continental shelf of Heraklion Bay (Crete, Greece): bathymetric distribution and temporal trends Journal Article
In: Biodiversity Data Journal, vol. 13, pp. e174931, 2025, ISSN: 1314-2828, 1314-2836.
@article{koumpaki_macrobenthic_2025,
title = {Macrobenthic communities of the continental shelf of Heraklion Bay (Crete, Greece): bathymetric distribution and temporal trends},
author = {Eleni Koumpaki and Maria Maidanou and Georgios Chatzigeorgiou and Ioannis Rallis and Dimitra Mavraki and Costas Dounas and Christos Arvanitidis and Panayota Koulouri},
url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/174931/
/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-Koumpaki-BDJournal-78.pdf},
doi = {10.3897/BDJ.13.e174931},
issn = {1314-2828, 1314-2836},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-12-18},
urldate = {2025-12-01},
journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal},
volume = {13},
pages = {e174931},
abstract = {The Gulf of Heraklion is one of the most well-studied coastal marine ecosystems in the eastern Mediterranean. It is an oligotrophic area, exposed to wave action where muddy sediments prevail and its coastal zone is relatively unaffected by major riverine inputs. However, it faces pressures deriving from urbanisation, tourism, small-scale fisheries and climate change. Amongst its biological components, macrobenthos is an important component of soft-bottom habitats of the continental shelf and considered to be an indicator of environmental and human-induced disturbance. Nevertheless, long-term data are limited, thus restricting our understanding of their temporal trends. This is of particular importance for the Mediterranean Sea which is characterised as a hot spot of biodiversity and climate change impacts on its biota.
The macrοbenthic faunal communities were investigated in the continental shelf of Heraklion Bay within the framework of the European funded project entitled MARine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning leading to Ecosystem Services (MARBEFES), with the objective to enhance the understanding of marine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the ecosystem services they provide. Additional studies, with the same objectives, were carried under national and local monitoring programmes. Samples were collected from a specific transect of stations, named H2 (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 and 200 m depth), located in the wider marine area of the wastewater treatment plant of Heraklion City. The transect was sampled during three different sampling surveys and periods: June 2010, June 2015 and August 2024.
A total of 30,280 individuals were examined belonging to the taxonomic groups of Annelida, Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Nemertea and varia. The identification of the key taxonomic classes (Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Scaphopoda and Malacostraca) revealed 231 macrobenthic taxa. Out of the 231 taxa, only 30 were common amongst all the three sampling periods, while Polychaeta was the most abundant macrobenthic group in all sampling periods.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Gulf of Heraklion is one of the most well-studied coastal marine ecosystems in the eastern Mediterranean. It is an oligotrophic area, exposed to wave action where muddy sediments prevail and its coastal zone is relatively unaffected by major riverine inputs. However, it faces pressures deriving from urbanisation, tourism, small-scale fisheries and climate change. Amongst its biological components, macrobenthos is an important component of soft-bottom habitats of the continental shelf and considered to be an indicator of environmental and human-induced disturbance. Nevertheless, long-term data are limited, thus restricting our understanding of their temporal trends. This is of particular importance for the Mediterranean Sea which is characterised as a hot spot of biodiversity and climate change impacts on its biota.
The macrοbenthic faunal communities were investigated in the continental shelf of Heraklion Bay within the framework of the European funded project entitled MARine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning leading to Ecosystem Services (MARBEFES), with the objective to enhance the understanding of marine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the ecosystem services they provide. Additional studies, with the same objectives, were carried under national and local monitoring programmes. Samples were collected from a specific transect of stations, named H2 (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 and 200 m depth), located in the wider marine area of the wastewater treatment plant of Heraklion City. The transect was sampled during three different sampling surveys and periods: June 2010, June 2015 and August 2024.
A total of 30,280 individuals were examined belonging to the taxonomic groups of Annelida, Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Nemertea and varia. The identification of the key taxonomic classes (Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Scaphopoda and Malacostraca) revealed 231 macrobenthic taxa. Out of the 231 taxa, only 30 were common amongst all the three sampling periods, while Polychaeta was the most abundant macrobenthic group in all sampling periods.
The macrοbenthic faunal communities were investigated in the continental shelf of Heraklion Bay within the framework of the European funded project entitled MARine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning leading to Ecosystem Services (MARBEFES), with the objective to enhance the understanding of marine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the ecosystem services they provide. Additional studies, with the same objectives, were carried under national and local monitoring programmes. Samples were collected from a specific transect of stations, named H2 (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 and 200 m depth), located in the wider marine area of the wastewater treatment plant of Heraklion City. The transect was sampled during three different sampling surveys and periods: June 2010, June 2015 and August 2024.
A total of 30,280 individuals were examined belonging to the taxonomic groups of Annelida, Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Nemertea and varia. The identification of the key taxonomic classes (Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Scaphopoda and Malacostraca) revealed 231 macrobenthic taxa. Out of the 231 taxa, only 30 were common amongst all the three sampling periods, while Polychaeta was the most abundant macrobenthic group in all sampling periods.
2025
Bergé, David; Mademli, Geli; Papathanasiadi, Eleanna; Kalogeropoulos, Costas; Brauchli, Roland
Mediterranean Icebergs: Invisible Connections Underwater Book
kyklàda.press, Athens, 2025, ISBN: 9789464772647.
@book{berge_mediterranean_2025,
title = {Mediterranean Icebergs: Invisible Connections Underwater},
author = {David Bergé and Geli Mademli and Eleanna Papathanasiadi and Costas Kalogeropoulos and Roland Brauchli},
editor = {Daphne Dragona},
url = {https://kyklada.press/product/mediterranean-icebergs/?v=d692bc40d834},
isbn = {9789464772647},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-11-12},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
publisher = {kyklàda.press},
address = {Athens},
abstract = {"While the largest parts of icebergs — or islands — remain beneath the sea surface, often unmapped and perilous, a myriad of creatures and non-organic matter connect them to other lands. Nowadays, in the era of the climate crisis, what is hidden in the depths of the sea exponentially manifests the impact of anthropogenic activity on the planet. Plastic waste and pollution, deep sea mining, and undersea network infrastructures affect marine biodiversity and life on Earth at large. Mediterranean Icebergs sheds light on forms of agency, be it human, more-than-human, or machinic, that operate in marine environments, paying attention to their entanglements, encounters, and asymmetries. Addressing the interconnectedness of environmental, political, and legal issues, this book takes the Mediterranean as a starting point to discuss what is at stake for all lives depending on the planet’s seas and oceans."–},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
"While the largest parts of icebergs — or islands — remain beneath the sea surface, often unmapped and perilous, a myriad of creatures and non-organic matter connect them to other lands. Nowadays, in the era of the climate crisis, what is hidden in the depths of the sea exponentially manifests the impact of anthropogenic activity on the planet. Plastic waste and pollution, deep sea mining, and undersea network infrastructures affect marine biodiversity and life on Earth at large. Mediterranean Icebergs sheds light on forms of agency, be it human, more-than-human, or machinic, that operate in marine environments, paying attention to their entanglements, encounters, and asymmetries. Addressing the interconnectedness of environmental, political, and legal issues, this book takes the Mediterranean as a starting point to discuss what is at stake for all lives depending on the planet’s seas and oceans."–
Lavecchia, Anna; Virgilio, Caterina De; Manzari, Caterina; Giudice, Claudio Lo; Pousis, Chrysovalentinos; Zupa, Rosa; Mylonas, Constantinos C.; Picardi, Ernesto; Ventriglia, Gianluca; Pesole, Graziano; Corriero, Aldo
In: Animal Reproduction Science, vol. 282, pp. 108024, 2025, ISSN: 03784320.
@article{lavecchia_differential_2025,
title = {Differential pituitary mRNA expression in wild and hatchery-produced greater amberjack Seriola dumerili exhibiting normal and impaired spermatogenesis},
author = {Anna Lavecchia and Caterina De Virgilio and Caterina Manzari and Claudio Lo Giudice and Chrysovalentinos Pousis and Rosa Zupa and Constantinos C. Mylonas and Ernesto Picardi and Gianluca Ventriglia and Graziano Pesole and Aldo Corriero},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378432025002635
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Lavecchia-AniReproSci-pre-print-66.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.108024},
issn = {03784320},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-11-10},
urldate = {2025-11-01},
journal = {Animal Reproduction Science},
volume = {282},
pages = {108024},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Vasilaki, Antigoni; Nengas, Ioannis; Kogiannou, Dimitra; Henry, Morgane; Nikoloudaki, Chrysanthi; Chronopoulos, Petros; Berillis, Panagiotis; Golomazou, Eleni; Fountoulaki, Eleni; Karapanagiotidis, Ioannis T.; Mente, Elena
In: Aquaculture Reports, vol. 45, pp. 103135, 2025, ISSN: 23525134.
@article{vasilaki_evaluation_2025,
title = {Evaluation of the nutritional value of processed lupin meal (Lupinus albus) with exogenous enzymes, as feed ingredient in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) aquafeeds},
author = {Antigoni Vasilaki and Ioannis Nengas and Dimitra Kogiannou and Morgane Henry and Chrysanthi Nikoloudaki and Petros Chronopoulos and Panagiotis Berillis and Eleni Golomazou and Eleni Fountoulaki and Ioannis T. Karapanagiotidis and Elena Mente},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352513425005216
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Vasilaki-Aqua-Rep-65.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.103135},
issn = {23525134},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-11-06},
urldate = {2025-12-01},
journal = {Aquaculture Reports},
volume = {45},
pages = {103135},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Guerra-García, José Manuel; Desiderato, Andrea; Mucciolo, Serena; Navarro-Barranco, Carlos; Ros, Macarena; Ferrario, Jasmine; Moretti, Paula; Marchini, Agnese; Mosbahi, Nawfel; Ruiz-Velasco, Sofía; Gestoso, Ignacio; Ramalhosa, Patrício; Canning-Clode, João; Olabarria, Celia; Cacabelos, Eva; Troncoso, Jesús S.; Pezy, Jean-Philippe; Raoux, Aurore; Dauvin, Jean-Claude; Charbonnelle, Mathilde; Schlicklin, Ferdinand; Ariyama, Hiroyuki; Mancini, Emanuele; Bonifazi, Andrea; Garrec, Vincent Le; Burel, Thomas; Gouillieux, Benoit; Santo, Cristina Espírito; Chainho, Paula; Ribeiro, Romeu S.; Afonso, Inês; Wang, Yanrong; Leclerc, Jean-Charles; Moal, Marine; Houbin, Céline; Viard, Frédérique; Thiébaut, Eric; Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria; Navarro-Mayoral, Sandra; Díaz-Vergara, Sonia; Gittenberger, Arjan; Hughes, Lauren Elizabeth; Lampa, Maria; Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos; Plaitis, Wanda; Tiralongo, Francesco; Martínez-Laiz, Gemma; Cabezas, M. Pilar; Duarte, Sofia; Pinheiro, João P. R.; Reis, Giovanna O.; Revanales, Triana; Juan, Sempere-Valverde; Aylagas, Eva; Poliseno, Angelo; Chebaane, Sahar; Carvalho, Susana; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Frutos, Inmaculada; Saenz-Arias, Pablo
In: Mediterranean Marine Science, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 842–859, 2025, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X.
@article{guerra-garcia_spread_2025,
title = {The spread of Aoroides longimerus Ren & Zheng, 1996 across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: genetic diversity, anthropogenic transport, and ecological implications},
author = {José Manuel Guerra-García and Andrea Desiderato and Serena Mucciolo and Carlos Navarro-Barranco and Macarena Ros and Jasmine Ferrario and Paula Moretti and Agnese Marchini and Nawfel Mosbahi and Sofía Ruiz-Velasco and Ignacio Gestoso and Patrício Ramalhosa and João Canning-Clode and Celia Olabarria and Eva Cacabelos and Jesús S. Troncoso and Jean-Philippe Pezy and Aurore Raoux and Jean-Claude Dauvin and Mathilde Charbonnelle and Ferdinand Schlicklin and Hiroyuki Ariyama and Emanuele Mancini and Andrea Bonifazi and Vincent Le Garrec and Thomas Burel and Benoit Gouillieux and Cristina Espírito Santo and Paula Chainho and Romeu S. Ribeiro and Inês Afonso and Yanrong Wang and Jean-Charles Leclerc and Marine Moal and Céline Houbin and Frédérique Viard and Eric Thiébaut and Victoria Fernandez-Gonzalez and Sandra Navarro-Mayoral and Sonia Díaz-Vergara and Arjan Gittenberger and Lauren Elizabeth Hughes and Maria Lampa and Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou and Wanda Plaitis and Francesco Tiralongo and Gemma Martínez-Laiz and M. Pilar Cabezas and Sofia Duarte and João P. R. Pinheiro and Giovanna O. Reis and Triana Revanales and Sempere-Valverde Juan and Eva Aylagas and Angelo Poliseno and Sahar Chebaane and Susana Carvalho and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Inmaculada Frutos and Pablo Saenz-Arias},
url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/41784
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Guerra-Garcia-MMS-64.pdf},
doi = {10.12681/mms.41784},
issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-11-03},
urldate = {2025-10-01},
journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science},
volume = {26},
number = {4},
pages = {842–859},
abstract = {Accurate knowledge of the global distribution of non-indigenous species (NIS) is essential for understanding their invasion dynamics and for implementing timely management measures. This study reports the first records of the marine amphipod Aoroides longimerus, putatively native to the East Asian coast, in Italy (2018), Spain (2019) and Tunisia (2022) and provides the earliest documented record of the species in its introduced European range (Portugal, 2011). Furthermore, it expands the species’ known distribution in mainland Portugal (including the northernmost record), Macaronesia (with first records in the Canary Islands and Madeira), and confirms its presence along the Atlantic coasts of France and the Netherlands. Aquaculture facilities, particularly those associated with oyster farming, are probably the primary vector of introduction, while recreational boating may have contributed significantly to secondary dispersal. In comparison to other exotic amphipods, A. longimerus remains absent from many marinas, ports and/or aquaculture facilities in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent regions, such as the Red Sea. This suggests that the species may still be in the early stages of expansion, or that its dispersal ability across marinas and ports is more limited than that of other amphipods. The present study, however, highlights several key ecological traits of A. longimerus: (i) it can survive year-round despite seasonal fluctuations, and reach high local densities, (ii) it exhibits strong colonisation capacity, as shown by its rapid establishment on settlement plates, and (iii) it displays opportunistic feeding behaviour, primarily consuming detritus. These characteristics underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and effective communication with stakeholders to prevent further expansion of this species.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Accurate knowledge of the global distribution of non-indigenous species (NIS) is essential for understanding their invasion dynamics and for implementing timely management measures. This study reports the first records of the marine amphipod Aoroides longimerus, putatively native to the East Asian coast, in Italy (2018), Spain (2019) and Tunisia (2022) and provides the earliest documented record of the species in its introduced European range (Portugal, 2011). Furthermore, it expands the species’ known distribution in mainland Portugal (including the northernmost record), Macaronesia (with first records in the Canary Islands and Madeira), and confirms its presence along the Atlantic coasts of France and the Netherlands. Aquaculture facilities, particularly those associated with oyster farming, are probably the primary vector of introduction, while recreational boating may have contributed significantly to secondary dispersal. In comparison to other exotic amphipods, A. longimerus remains absent from many marinas, ports and/or aquaculture facilities in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent regions, such as the Red Sea. This suggests that the species may still be in the early stages of expansion, or that its dispersal ability across marinas and ports is more limited than that of other amphipods. The present study, however, highlights several key ecological traits of A. longimerus: (i) it can survive year-round despite seasonal fluctuations, and reach high local densities, (ii) it exhibits strong colonisation capacity, as shown by its rapid establishment on settlement plates, and (iii) it displays opportunistic feeding behaviour, primarily consuming detritus. These characteristics underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and effective communication with stakeholders to prevent further expansion of this species.
Kolygas, Markos N.; Kostou, Vasiliki; Pappas, Ioannis S.; Karagouni, Evdokia; Toubanaki, Dimitra K.; Bakopoulos, Vasileios; Kotzamanis, Yannis P.; Nathanailides, Cosmas; Athanassopoulou, Fotini
In vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils from medicinal plants against major fish pathogens in Mediterranean aquaculture Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Aquaculture, vol. 4, pp. 1665877, 2025, ISSN: 2813-5334.
@article{kolygas_vitro_2025,
title = {In vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils from medicinal plants against major fish pathogens in Mediterranean aquaculture},
author = {Markos N. Kolygas and Vasiliki Kostou and Ioannis S. Pappas and Evdokia Karagouni and Dimitra K. Toubanaki and Vasileios Bakopoulos and Yannis P. Kotzamanis and Cosmas Nathanailides and Fotini Athanassopoulou},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/faquc.2025.1665877/full
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Kolygas-Front-Aqua-63.pdf
},
doi = {10.3389/faquc.2025.1665877},
issn = {2813-5334},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-30},
urldate = {2025-10-01},
journal = {Frontiers in Aquaculture},
volume = {4},
pages = {1665877},
abstract = {A rise of intensive Mediterranean aquaculture has been associated with vulnerability to bacterial infections, necessitating alternative approaches to conventional antibiotics. This study evaluated the antibacterial and bactericidal activity of essential oils derived from fifteen medicinal plants against four key bacterial pathogens affecting Mediterranean marine aquaculture:
Aeromonas veronii
biovar
veronii
,
Aeromonas veronii
biovar
sobria
,
Vibrio harveyi
, and
Tenacibaculum maritimum
. Essential oils were screened using disc diffusion assays, and the most effective oils—thyme, oregano, cinnamon, and absinthe—underwent further evaluation through broth microdilution methods. Results demonstrated that these four oils exhibited notable inhibitory and bactericidal effects, with thyme and oregano showing the strongest overall activity across multiple pathogens. Notably, this is among the first studies to document the
in vitro
efficacy of essential oils against
Tenacibaculum maritimum
, a major pathogen with limited treatment options. The findings support the potential use of selected essential oils as sustainable and natural antibacterial agents in fish health management, contributing to reduced reliance on antibiotics in aquaculture.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A rise of intensive Mediterranean aquaculture has been associated with vulnerability to bacterial infections, necessitating alternative approaches to conventional antibiotics. This study evaluated the antibacterial and bactericidal activity of essential oils derived from fifteen medicinal plants against four key bacterial pathogens affecting Mediterranean marine aquaculture:
Aeromonas veronii
biovar
veronii
,
Aeromonas veronii
biovar
sobria
,
Vibrio harveyi
, and
Tenacibaculum maritimum
. Essential oils were screened using disc diffusion assays, and the most effective oils—thyme, oregano, cinnamon, and absinthe—underwent further evaluation through broth microdilution methods. Results demonstrated that these four oils exhibited notable inhibitory and bactericidal effects, with thyme and oregano showing the strongest overall activity across multiple pathogens. Notably, this is among the first studies to document the
in vitro
efficacy of essential oils against
Tenacibaculum maritimum
, a major pathogen with limited treatment options. The findings support the potential use of selected essential oils as sustainable and natural antibacterial agents in fish health management, contributing to reduced reliance on antibiotics in aquaculture.
Aeromonas veronii
biovar
veronii
,
Aeromonas veronii
biovar
sobria
,
Vibrio harveyi
, and
Tenacibaculum maritimum
. Essential oils were screened using disc diffusion assays, and the most effective oils—thyme, oregano, cinnamon, and absinthe—underwent further evaluation through broth microdilution methods. Results demonstrated that these four oils exhibited notable inhibitory and bactericidal effects, with thyme and oregano showing the strongest overall activity across multiple pathogens. Notably, this is among the first studies to document the
in vitro
efficacy of essential oils against
Tenacibaculum maritimum
, a major pathogen with limited treatment options. The findings support the potential use of selected essential oils as sustainable and natural antibacterial agents in fish health management, contributing to reduced reliance on antibiotics in aquaculture.
Metcalfe, Abigail; Druitt, Tim; Pank, Katharina; Kutterolf, Steffen; Preine, Jonas; Beethe, Sarah; Schmitt, Axel; Hübscher, Christian; Nomikou, Paraskevi; Ronge, Thomas A.; Berthod, Carole; Chen, Hehe; Chiyonobu, Shun; Clark, Acacia; DeBari, Susan; Gertisser, Ralf; Johnston, Raymond; Koukousioura, Olga; Manga, Michael; McCanta, Molly; McIntosh, Iona; Peccia, Ally; Tominaga, Masako; Yamamoto, Yuzuru; Woodhouse, Adam; Bernard, Alexis; Perez, Tatiana Fernandez; Jones, Christopher K.; Joshi, Kumar Batuk; Kletetschka, Günther; Morris, Antony; Polymenakou, Paraskevi; Li, Xiaohui; Papanikolaou, Dimitrios; Pyle, David; Sternai, Pietro
Tectonic modulation of caldera volcanism on the South Aegean Volcanic Arc Journal Article
In: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 671, pp. 119633, 2025, ISSN: 0012821X.
@article{metcalfe_tectonic_2025,
title = {Tectonic modulation of caldera volcanism on the South Aegean Volcanic Arc},
author = {Abigail Metcalfe and Tim Druitt and Katharina Pank and Steffen Kutterolf and Jonas Preine and Sarah Beethe and Axel Schmitt and Christian Hübscher and Paraskevi Nomikou and Thomas A. Ronge and Carole Berthod and Hehe Chen and Shun Chiyonobu and Acacia Clark and Susan DeBari and Ralf Gertisser and Raymond Johnston and Olga Koukousioura and Michael Manga and Molly McCanta and Iona McIntosh and Ally Peccia and Masako Tominaga and Yuzuru Yamamoto and Adam Woodhouse and Alexis Bernard and Tatiana Fernandez Perez and Christopher K. Jones and Kumar Batuk Joshi and Günther Kletetschka and Antony Morris and Paraskevi Polymenakou and Xiaohui Li and Dimitrios Papanikolaou and David Pyle and Pietro Sternai},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0012821X25004315
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Metcalfe-EarthPlSci-62.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119633},
issn = {0012821X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-30},
urldate = {2025-12-01},
journal = {Earth and Planetary Science Letters},
volume = {671},
pages = {119633},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Kokokiris, Lambros E.; Minos, George; Simeonidis, Christos; Karidas, Theofanis; Papadaki, Maria; Mylonas, Constantinos C.
Induction of Spawning in Captive Female Thicklip Grey Mullet (Chelon labrosus) Treated with Different GnRHa Delivery Systems Journal Article
In: Fishes, vol. 10, no. 10, pp. 516, 2025, ISSN: 2410-3888.
@article{kokokiris_induction_2025,
title = {Induction of Spawning in Captive Female Thicklip Grey Mullet (\textit{Chelon labrosus}) Treated with Different GnRHa Delivery Systems},
author = {Lambros E. Kokokiris and George Minos and Christos Simeonidis and Theofanis Karidas and Maria Papadaki and Constantinos C. Mylonas},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/10/516
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Kokokiris-FISHES-61.pdf
},
doi = {10.3390/fishes10100516},
issn = {2410-3888},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-27},
urldate = {2025-10-27},
journal = {Fishes},
volume = {10},
number = {10},
pages = {516},
abstract = {Thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus) has important characteristics that make it a promising candidate species for diversifying Mediterranean aquaculture. However, spontaneous spawning in captivity has not been documented, mainly due to failure of females to spawn, highlighting the need for further research on reproduction control. This study evaluated the efficacy of GnRHa administration, using repeated intramuscular injections or slow-release Ethylene–Vinyl Acetate (EVAc) implants combined with a dopamine antagonist (metoclopramide, Met), in terms of spawning performance and egg quality. Three groups were established: (a) saline injection (0.9% NaCl; Saline-INJ), (b) GnRHa [Des-Gly10, D-Ala6-ProNEth9-mGnRHa] injection at 10 μg kg−1 BW (GnRHa-INJ), and (c) EVAc implant containing GnRHa at 50 μg kg−1 bw (GnRHa-IMP). Over four weeks, Saline-INJ and GnRHa-INJ females received weekly saline or GnRHa, respectively. GnRHa-INJ and GnRHa-IMP females also received weekly Met (15 mg kg−1 bw). GnRHa induced 11 spawns (1,768,680 eggs), nearly triple the Saline-INJ group (4 spawns, 394,400 eggs). Daily relative fecundity (DRF) and fertilization success were highest in GnRHa-INJ (56,982 eggs kg−1 day−1; 59.7%), followed by GnRHa-IMP (20,375; 18.8%) and Saline-INJ (13,061; 9.1%). Multiple injections showed a trend toward higher spawning performance and egg quality compared to implants, although variability was high and further replication is needed. Nevertheless, optimizing both GnRHa delivery methods could further enhance their effectiveness while maintaining operational benefits for aquaculture.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus) has important characteristics that make it a promising candidate species for diversifying Mediterranean aquaculture. However, spontaneous spawning in captivity has not been documented, mainly due to failure of females to spawn, highlighting the need for further research on reproduction control. This study evaluated the efficacy of GnRHa administration, using repeated intramuscular injections or slow-release Ethylene–Vinyl Acetate (EVAc) implants combined with a dopamine antagonist (metoclopramide, Met), in terms of spawning performance and egg quality. Three groups were established: (a) saline injection (0.9% NaCl; Saline-INJ), (b) GnRHa [Des-Gly10, D-Ala6-ProNEth9-mGnRHa] injection at 10 μg kg−1 BW (GnRHa-INJ), and (c) EVAc implant containing GnRHa at 50 μg kg−1 bw (GnRHa-IMP). Over four weeks, Saline-INJ and GnRHa-INJ females received weekly saline or GnRHa, respectively. GnRHa-INJ and GnRHa-IMP females also received weekly Met (15 mg kg−1 bw). GnRHa induced 11 spawns (1,768,680 eggs), nearly triple the Saline-INJ group (4 spawns, 394,400 eggs). Daily relative fecundity (DRF) and fertilization success were highest in GnRHa-INJ (56,982 eggs kg−1 day−1; 59.7%), followed by GnRHa-IMP (20,375; 18.8%) and Saline-INJ (13,061; 9.1%). Multiple injections showed a trend toward higher spawning performance and egg quality compared to implants, although variability was high and further replication is needed. Nevertheless, optimizing both GnRHa delivery methods could further enhance their effectiveness while maintaining operational benefits for aquaculture.
Minguito-Frutos, Mario; Buñuel, Xavier; Marco-Méndez, Candela; Sanmartí, Neus; Skouradakis, Grigorios; Boada, Jordi; Pagès, Jordi F.; Alcoverro, Teresa; Arthur, Rohan
Tropical range extending herbivorous fishes gain foraging benefits by shoaling with native temperate species Journal Article
In: vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 35137, 2025, ISSN: 2045-2322.
@article{minguito-frutos_tropical_2025,
title = {Tropical range extending herbivorous fishes gain foraging benefits by shoaling with native temperate species},
author = {Mario Minguito-Frutos and Xavier Buñuel and Candela Marco-Méndez and Neus Sanmartí and Grigorios Skouradakis and Jordi Boada and Jordi F. Pagès and Teresa Alcoverro and Rohan Arthur},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-19136-x
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Minguito-Frutos-SciRep-60.pdf
},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-19136-x},
issn = {2045-2322},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-23},
urldate = {2025-10-08},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {35137},
abstract = {Abstract
Tropicalization creates novel species assemblages in temperate ecosystems as range-extending species move. The sociality of range-extending species could facilitate their establishment, particularly if they associate with natives. The eastern Mediterranean Sea has witnessed widespread collapses of vegetated ecosystems since the arrival of the tropical rabbitfishes
Siganus rivulatus
and
Siganus luridus
. We explored whether mixed-species shoaling influenced the fish foraging activity of the novel herbivore assemblage. We recorded 250 shoals, 30% composed exclusively of native species (i.e.,
Sarpa salpa
and
Sparisoma cretense
), 43% of rabbitfish, and 27% of species from both origins.
S. rivulatus
was the most gregarious species, establishing positive shoaling associations with
S. luridus
and
S. salpa
, whereas
S. cretense
was the least sociable. Foraging differed between native and range-extending species. Compared to native species in mixed-species shoals, range-extending species increased their bite rates with shoal size, both in mono- and multi-specific groups, indicating that they boosted their foraging efficiency (i.e., increased bites per minute) when foraging in large groups, regardless of which species they shoaled with. Native species, in contrast, only increased their bite rates with shoal size while foraging in mono-specific groups. Thus, our study shows that, unlike natives, range-extending species may gain foraging benefits from facilitative associations in mixed-species shoals. This gregarious behaviour could help explain the disproportionate herbivory pressures range-extending species impose on tropicalized ecosystems.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Tropicalization creates novel species assemblages in temperate ecosystems as range-extending species move. The sociality of range-extending species could facilitate their establishment, particularly if they associate with natives. The eastern Mediterranean Sea has witnessed widespread collapses of vegetated ecosystems since the arrival of the tropical rabbitfishes
Siganus rivulatus
and
Siganus luridus
. We explored whether mixed-species shoaling influenced the fish foraging activity of the novel herbivore assemblage. We recorded 250 shoals, 30% composed exclusively of native species (i.e.,
Sarpa salpa
and
Sparisoma cretense
), 43% of rabbitfish, and 27% of species from both origins.
S. rivulatus
was the most gregarious species, establishing positive shoaling associations with
S. luridus
and
S. salpa
, whereas
S. cretense
was the least sociable. Foraging differed between native and range-extending species. Compared to native species in mixed-species shoals, range-extending species increased their bite rates with shoal size, both in mono- and multi-specific groups, indicating that they boosted their foraging efficiency (i.e., increased bites per minute) when foraging in large groups, regardless of which species they shoaled with. Native species, in contrast, only increased their bite rates with shoal size while foraging in mono-specific groups. Thus, our study shows that, unlike natives, range-extending species may gain foraging benefits from facilitative associations in mixed-species shoals. This gregarious behaviour could help explain the disproportionate herbivory pressures range-extending species impose on tropicalized ecosystems.
Tropicalization creates novel species assemblages in temperate ecosystems as range-extending species move. The sociality of range-extending species could facilitate their establishment, particularly if they associate with natives. The eastern Mediterranean Sea has witnessed widespread collapses of vegetated ecosystems since the arrival of the tropical rabbitfishes
Siganus rivulatus
and
Siganus luridus
. We explored whether mixed-species shoaling influenced the fish foraging activity of the novel herbivore assemblage. We recorded 250 shoals, 30% composed exclusively of native species (i.e.,
Sarpa salpa
and
Sparisoma cretense
), 43% of rabbitfish, and 27% of species from both origins.
S. rivulatus
was the most gregarious species, establishing positive shoaling associations with
S. luridus
and
S. salpa
, whereas
S. cretense
was the least sociable. Foraging differed between native and range-extending species. Compared to native species in mixed-species shoals, range-extending species increased their bite rates with shoal size, both in mono- and multi-specific groups, indicating that they boosted their foraging efficiency (i.e., increased bites per minute) when foraging in large groups, regardless of which species they shoaled with. Native species, in contrast, only increased their bite rates with shoal size while foraging in mono-specific groups. Thus, our study shows that, unlike natives, range-extending species may gain foraging benefits from facilitative associations in mixed-species shoals. This gregarious behaviour could help explain the disproportionate herbivory pressures range-extending species impose on tropicalized ecosystems.
Rosso, Antonietta; Martino, Emanuela Di; Donato, Gemma; Figuerola, Blanca; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Siddiolo, Chiara; Sinagra, Alessandro; Sanfilippo, Rossana; Sciuto, Francesco
In: ZooKeys, vol. 1254, pp. 1–74, 2025, ISSN: 1313-2970, 1313-2989.
@article{rosso_unlocking_2025,
title = {Unlocking Mediterranean bryozoan diversity: seven new species unveiled after fixing a neotype for Fenestrulina malusii (Audouin & Savigny, 1826) (Cheilostomatida, Fenestrulinidae)},
author = {Antonietta Rosso and Emanuela Di Martino and Gemma Donato and Blanca Figuerola and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Chiara Siddiolo and Alessandro Sinagra and Rossana Sanfilippo and Francesco Sciuto},
url = {https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/157989/
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Rosso-ZooKeys-58.pdf},
doi = {10.3897/zookeys.1254.157989},
issn = {1313-2970, 1313-2989},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-15},
urldate = {2025-10-15},
journal = {ZooKeys},
volume = {1254},
pages = {1--74},
abstract = {Fenestrulina malusii
(Audouin & Savigny), the type species of
Fenestrulina
Jullien, is among the most widely reported bryozoans globally. Following the loss of the original type material, presumed Mediterranean in origin based on Savigny’s depiction on
Sargassum
, we designate a neotype from a colony on deep
Laminaria
blades off Ustica Island (Tyrrhenian Sea). Additionally, seven new species are described from various habitats across the Mediterranean:
F. cavernicola
sp. nov.
, from the semi-dark and dark zones of a submarine cave in Lesvos Island (NE Aegean Sea);
F. communis
sp. nov.
, from beach-cast plastic near Palermo (NW Sicily);
F. foveolata
sp. nov.
, from Ile-Rousse Bank (Corsica);
F. granulosa
sp. nov.
, from
Posidonia
meadows in Dhiaporia (Chios Island, Aegean Sea);
F. kalliste
sp. nov.
, from outer-shelf coarse sediments off Calvi (NW Corsica);
F. ovata
sp. nov.
, from Trémies submarine cave, near Marseille (Gulf of Lion); and
F. variorugosa
sp. nov.
, from
Posidonia
rootlets off Formica Isle (Egadi Archipelago, near the Sicily Strait). Five of these species are currently known only from their type localities, while
F. communis
sp. nov.
and
F. variorugosa
sp. nov.
occur elsewhere. An additional species with distinct features is described but left in open nomenclature owing to the absence of an ovicell. A comprehensive review of the published images of the 77 species currently assigned to
Fenestrulina
, with the identification of new diagnostic features, including kenozooids, has led to a revised diagnosis of the genus.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Fenestrulina malusii
(Audouin & Savigny), the type species of
Fenestrulina
Jullien, is among the most widely reported bryozoans globally. Following the loss of the original type material, presumed Mediterranean in origin based on Savigny’s depiction on
Sargassum
, we designate a neotype from a colony on deep
Laminaria
blades off Ustica Island (Tyrrhenian Sea). Additionally, seven new species are described from various habitats across the Mediterranean:
F. cavernicola
sp. nov.
, from the semi-dark and dark zones of a submarine cave in Lesvos Island (NE Aegean Sea);
F. communis
sp. nov.
, from beach-cast plastic near Palermo (NW Sicily);
F. foveolata
sp. nov.
, from Ile-Rousse Bank (Corsica);
F. granulosa
sp. nov.
, from
Posidonia
meadows in Dhiaporia (Chios Island, Aegean Sea);
F. kalliste
sp. nov.
, from outer-shelf coarse sediments off Calvi (NW Corsica);
F. ovata
sp. nov.
, from Trémies submarine cave, near Marseille (Gulf of Lion); and
F. variorugosa
sp. nov.
, from
Posidonia
rootlets off Formica Isle (Egadi Archipelago, near the Sicily Strait). Five of these species are currently known only from their type localities, while
F. communis
sp. nov.
and
F. variorugosa
sp. nov.
occur elsewhere. An additional species with distinct features is described but left in open nomenclature owing to the absence of an ovicell. A comprehensive review of the published images of the 77 species currently assigned to
Fenestrulina
, with the identification of new diagnostic features, including kenozooids, has led to a revised diagnosis of the genus.
(Audouin & Savigny), the type species of
Fenestrulina
Jullien, is among the most widely reported bryozoans globally. Following the loss of the original type material, presumed Mediterranean in origin based on Savigny’s depiction on
Sargassum
, we designate a neotype from a colony on deep
Laminaria
blades off Ustica Island (Tyrrhenian Sea). Additionally, seven new species are described from various habitats across the Mediterranean:
F. cavernicola
sp. nov.
, from the semi-dark and dark zones of a submarine cave in Lesvos Island (NE Aegean Sea);
F. communis
sp. nov.
, from beach-cast plastic near Palermo (NW Sicily);
F. foveolata
sp. nov.
, from Ile-Rousse Bank (Corsica);
F. granulosa
sp. nov.
, from
Posidonia
meadows in Dhiaporia (Chios Island, Aegean Sea);
F. kalliste
sp. nov.
, from outer-shelf coarse sediments off Calvi (NW Corsica);
F. ovata
sp. nov.
, from Trémies submarine cave, near Marseille (Gulf of Lion); and
F. variorugosa
sp. nov.
, from
Posidonia
rootlets off Formica Isle (Egadi Archipelago, near the Sicily Strait). Five of these species are currently known only from their type localities, while
F. communis
sp. nov.
and
F. variorugosa
sp. nov.
occur elsewhere. An additional species with distinct features is described but left in open nomenclature owing to the absence of an ovicell. A comprehensive review of the published images of the 77 species currently assigned to
Fenestrulina
, with the identification of new diagnostic features, including kenozooids, has led to a revised diagnosis of the genus.
Nunes, Maria João; Varamogianni-Mamatsi, Despoina; Marques, Vanda; Anastasiou, Thekla I; Kagiampaki, Eirini; Vernadou, Emmanouela; Dailianis, Thanos; Kalogerakis, Nicolas; Branco, Luís C; Rodrigues, Cecília M P; Sobral, Rita G; Mandalakis, Manolis; Gaudêncio, Susana P
Chemical profile of extracts from wild and farmed Chondrosia reniformis sponges Journal Article
In: Aquaculture International, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 558, 2025, ISSN: 0967-6120, 1573-143X.
@article{nunes_chemical_2025,
title = {Chemical profile of extracts from wild and farmed Chondrosia reniformis sponges},
author = {Maria João Nunes and Despoina Varamogianni-Mamatsi and Vanda Marques and Thekla I Anastasiou and Eirini Kagiampaki and Emmanouela Vernadou and Thanos Dailianis and Nicolas Kalogerakis and Luís C Branco and Cecília M P Rodrigues and Rita G Sobral and Manolis Mandalakis and Susana P Gaudêncio},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10499-025-02246-8
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Nunes-AquaInt-57-preprint.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s10499-025-02246-8},
issn = {0967-6120, 1573-143X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-13},
urldate = {2025-10-13},
journal = {Aquaculture International},
volume = {33},
number = {6},
pages = {558},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Bolanakis, Giannis; Paragkamian, Savvas; Maroulis, Leonidas; Kontos, Panagiotis; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Nikolakakis, Manolis; Trichas, Apostolos; Chatzaki, Maria
Weaving together the past, present and future of Greek arachnofauna: Biodiversity, knowledge gaps and conservation Journal Article
In: Insect Conservation and Diversity, pp. icad.70019, 2025, ISSN: 1752-458X, 1752-4598.
@article{bolanakis_weaving_2025,
title = {Weaving together the past, present and future of Greek arachnofauna: Biodiversity, knowledge gaps and conservation},
author = {Giannis Bolanakis and Savvas Paragkamian and Leonidas Maroulis and Panagiotis Kontos and Dimitris Poursanidis and Manolis Nikolakakis and Apostolos Trichas and Maria Chatzaki},
url = {https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/icad.70019
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Volanakis-InsConsDiv-56-.pdf},
doi = {10.1111/icad.70019},
issn = {1752-458X, 1752-4598},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-09},
urldate = {2025-10-09},
journal = {Insect Conservation and Diversity},
pages = {icad.70019},
abstract = {Abstract
Spiders are among the most species‐rich groups of arthropods. As top predators of other arthropods, their ecological role is significant, yet they are often overlooked in conservation efforts. Greece is home to a rich spider fauna, including many newly discovered and endemic taxa.
In this paper, we present an updated, comprehensive dataset of the spiders of Greece, compiled using open standards aligned with the FAIR principles of data management. This update is based on the critical curation of 187 papers covering all available records of spider species occurring in Greece. The curated data contain geographic location (including coordinates and their accuracy) and taxonomic validity of all species.
In total, 1310 species are recorded across more than 18,000 unique occurrences, excluding
nomina dubia
, subspecies and incomplete or erroneous taxonomic identifications. Of these, 226 species are endemic to Greece. Furthermore, an analysis is performed to present the distribution of the spider families/species richness in the complex landscape of Greece, in mainland and 96 islands, and the identified geographical/taxonomic gaps in our knowledge.
The conservation status of 202 IUCN‐assessed species is also presented, alongside a critical analysis of their documented threats and possible ways to promote their conservation.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Spiders are among the most species‐rich groups of arthropods. As top predators of other arthropods, their ecological role is significant, yet they are often overlooked in conservation efforts. Greece is home to a rich spider fauna, including many newly discovered and endemic taxa.
In this paper, we present an updated, comprehensive dataset of the spiders of Greece, compiled using open standards aligned with the FAIR principles of data management. This update is based on the critical curation of 187 papers covering all available records of spider species occurring in Greece. The curated data contain geographic location (including coordinates and their accuracy) and taxonomic validity of all species.
In total, 1310 species are recorded across more than 18,000 unique occurrences, excluding
nomina dubia
, subspecies and incomplete or erroneous taxonomic identifications. Of these, 226 species are endemic to Greece. Furthermore, an analysis is performed to present the distribution of the spider families/species richness in the complex landscape of Greece, in mainland and 96 islands, and the identified geographical/taxonomic gaps in our knowledge.
The conservation status of 202 IUCN‐assessed species is also presented, alongside a critical analysis of their documented threats and possible ways to promote their conservation.
Spiders are among the most species‐rich groups of arthropods. As top predators of other arthropods, their ecological role is significant, yet they are often overlooked in conservation efforts. Greece is home to a rich spider fauna, including many newly discovered and endemic taxa.
In this paper, we present an updated, comprehensive dataset of the spiders of Greece, compiled using open standards aligned with the FAIR principles of data management. This update is based on the critical curation of 187 papers covering all available records of spider species occurring in Greece. The curated data contain geographic location (including coordinates and their accuracy) and taxonomic validity of all species.
In total, 1310 species are recorded across more than 18,000 unique occurrences, excluding
nomina dubia
, subspecies and incomplete or erroneous taxonomic identifications. Of these, 226 species are endemic to Greece. Furthermore, an analysis is performed to present the distribution of the spider families/species richness in the complex landscape of Greece, in mainland and 96 islands, and the identified geographical/taxonomic gaps in our knowledge.
The conservation status of 202 IUCN‐assessed species is also presented, alongside a critical analysis of their documented threats and possible ways to promote their conservation.
Finn, Robert D; Balech, Bachir; Burgin, Josephine; Chua, Physilia; Corre, Erwan; Cox, Cymon J; Donati, Claudio; Santos, Vitor Martins Dos; Fosso, Bruno; Hancock, John; Heil, Katharina F; Ishaque, Naveed; Kale, Varsha; Kunath, Benoit J; Médigue, Claudine; Nogueira, Teresa; Pafilis, Evangelos; Pesole, Graziano; Richardson, Lorna; Santamaria, Monica; Strepis, Nikolaos; Bossche, Tim Van Den; Vizcaíno, Juan Antonio; Zafeiropoulos, Haris; Willassen, Nils P; Pelletier, Eric; Batut, Bérénice
Establishing the ELIXIR Microbiome Community Journal Article
In: F1000Research, vol. 13, pp. 50, 2025, ISSN: 2046-1402.
@article{finn_establishing_2025,
title = {Establishing the ELIXIR Microbiome Community},
author = {Robert D Finn and Bachir Balech and Josephine Burgin and Physilia Chua and Erwan Corre and Cymon J Cox and Claudio Donati and Vitor Martins Dos Santos and Bruno Fosso and John Hancock and Katharina F Heil and Naveed Ishaque and Varsha Kale and Benoit J Kunath and Claudine Médigue and Teresa Nogueira and Evangelos Pafilis and Graziano Pesole and Lorna Richardson and Monica Santamaria and Nikolaos Strepis and Tim Van Den Bossche and Juan Antonio Vizcaíno and Haris Zafeiropoulos and Nils P Willassen and Eric Pelletier and Bérénice Batut},
url = {https://f1000research.com/articles/13-50/v2
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Finn-F1000R-55.pdf},
doi = {10.12688/f1000research.144515.2},
issn = {2046-1402},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-07},
urldate = {2025-10-07},
journal = {F1000Research},
volume = {13},
pages = {50},
abstract = {Microbiome research has grown substantially over the past decade in terms of the range of biomes sampled, identified taxa, and the volume of data derived from the samples. In particular, experimental approaches such as metagenomics, metabarcoding, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics have provided profound insights into the vast, hitherto unknown, microbial biodiversity. The ELIXIR Marine Metagenomics Community, initiated amongst researchers focusing on marine microbiomes, has concentrated on promoting standards around microbiome-derived sequence analysis, as well as understanding the gaps in methods and reference databases, and identifying solutions to the computational overheads of performing such analyses. Nevertheless, the methods used and the challenges faced are not confined to marine microbiome studies, but are broadly applicable to other biomes. Thus, expanding this Marine Metagenomics Community to a more inclusive ELIXIR Microbiome Community will enable it to encompass a broader range of biomes and link expertise across ‘omics technologies. Furthermore, engaging with a large number of researchers will improve the efficiency and sustainability of bioinformatics infrastructure and resources for microbiome research (standards, data, tools, workflows, training), which will enable a deeper understanding of the function and taxonomic composition of the different microbial communities.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Microbiome research has grown substantially over the past decade in terms of the range of biomes sampled, identified taxa, and the volume of data derived from the samples. In particular, experimental approaches such as metagenomics, metabarcoding, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics have provided profound insights into the vast, hitherto unknown, microbial biodiversity. The ELIXIR Marine Metagenomics Community, initiated amongst researchers focusing on marine microbiomes, has concentrated on promoting standards around microbiome-derived sequence analysis, as well as understanding the gaps in methods and reference databases, and identifying solutions to the computational overheads of performing such analyses. Nevertheless, the methods used and the challenges faced are not confined to marine microbiome studies, but are broadly applicable to other biomes. Thus, expanding this Marine Metagenomics Community to a more inclusive ELIXIR Microbiome Community will enable it to encompass a broader range of biomes and link expertise across ‘omics technologies. Furthermore, engaging with a large number of researchers will improve the efficiency and sustainability of bioinformatics infrastructure and resources for microbiome research (standards, data, tools, workflows, training), which will enable a deeper understanding of the function and taxonomic composition of the different microbial communities.
Rossi, Sergio; Bramanti, Lorenzo; Costantini, Federica; Dailianis, Thanos; Schubert, Nadine; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis
Marine Animal Forests: Bridging Science, Policy, and Local Knowledge Journal Article
In: Mediterranean Marine Science, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 418–420, 2025, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X.
@article{rossi_marine_2025,
title = {Marine Animal Forests: Bridging Science, Policy, and Local Knowledge},
author = {Sergio Rossi and Lorenzo Bramanti and Federica Costantini and Thanos Dailianis and Nadine Schubert and Vasilis Gerovasileiou},
url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/40440
/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Rossi-MMS-54.pdf},
doi = {10.12681/mms.40440},
issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-02},
urldate = {2025-10-02},
journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {418--420},
abstract = {Editorial
Marine Animal Forests: Bridging Science, Policy, and Local Knowledge},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Editorial
Marine Animal Forests: Bridging Science, Policy, and Local Knowledge
Marine Animal Forests: Bridging Science, Policy, and Local Knowledge
Ventriglia, Gianluca; Duncan, Neil; Giménez, Ignacio; Mylonas, Constantinos C; Pousis, Chrysovalentinos; Varvara, Caterina; Valentini, Luisa; Passantino, Letizia; Corriero, Aldo; Zupa, Rosa
Histological Insights into Testicular Apoptosis Associated with Spermatogenesis in Pre-Pubertal and Adult Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Journal Article
In: Animals, vol. 15, no. 18, pp. 2668, 2025, ISSN: 2076-2615.
@article{ventriglia_histological_2025,
title = {Histological Insights into Testicular Apoptosis Associated with Spermatogenesis in Pre-Pubertal and Adult Meagre (\textit{Argyrosomus regius})},
author = {Gianluca Ventriglia and Neil Duncan and Ignacio Giménez and Constantinos C Mylonas and Chrysovalentinos Pousis and Caterina Varvara and Luisa Valentini and Letizia Passantino and Aldo Corriero and Rosa Zupa},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/18/2668
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Ventriglia-animals-53.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/ani15182668},
issn = {2076-2615},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-29},
urldate = {2025-09-29},
journal = {Animals},
volume = {15},
number = {18},
pages = {2668},
abstract = {To overcome reproductive dysfunctions, recombinant gonadotropin hormones have been synthesised in different fish species. We were interested in gaining further insight into the effects of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFsh) in meagre Argyrosomus regius spermatogenesis and in improving the existing knowledge on the role of testicular apoptosis. Germ cell composition and testicular apoptosis were compared in pre-pubertal fish treated with rFsh (PreP-Fsh) and controls (PreP-C), and adult meagre with testes in the proliferative (Adult-Pro) and meiotic (Adult-Meio) spermatogenesis phases. A lower density of committed spermatogonia was observed in PreP-Fsh compared with PreP-C and in Adult-Meio compared with Adult-Pro. In pre-pubertal fish and in Adult-Pro, apoptosis affected mainly individual germ cells and Sertoli cells. In Adult-Meio, a high number of cysts containing apoptotic germ cells was observed, and apoptosis often involved entire clones of germ cells. rFsh reduced testicular apoptosis in pre-pubertal fish, whereas the advancement of spermatogenesis in adults was associated with an increased density of apoptotic cells. The present study corroborated previous observations on the effects of rFsh on spermatogenesis in pre-pubertal meagre and provided further insights on the changing role of apoptosis in the pre-pubertal phase versus different phases of spermatogenesis.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
To overcome reproductive dysfunctions, recombinant gonadotropin hormones have been synthesised in different fish species. We were interested in gaining further insight into the effects of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFsh) in meagre Argyrosomus regius spermatogenesis and in improving the existing knowledge on the role of testicular apoptosis. Germ cell composition and testicular apoptosis were compared in pre-pubertal fish treated with rFsh (PreP-Fsh) and controls (PreP-C), and adult meagre with testes in the proliferative (Adult-Pro) and meiotic (Adult-Meio) spermatogenesis phases. A lower density of committed spermatogonia was observed in PreP-Fsh compared with PreP-C and in Adult-Meio compared with Adult-Pro. In pre-pubertal fish and in Adult-Pro, apoptosis affected mainly individual germ cells and Sertoli cells. In Adult-Meio, a high number of cysts containing apoptotic germ cells was observed, and apoptosis often involved entire clones of germ cells. rFsh reduced testicular apoptosis in pre-pubertal fish, whereas the advancement of spermatogenesis in adults was associated with an increased density of apoptotic cells. The present study corroborated previous observations on the effects of rFsh on spermatogenesis in pre-pubertal meagre and provided further insights on the changing role of apoptosis in the pre-pubertal phase versus different phases of spermatogenesis.
Racaku, Mbarsid; Ferraresso, Serena; Babbucci, Massimiliano; Blanco, Andres; Tsigenopoulos, Costas S; Manousaki, Tereza; Radojicic, Jelena; Papadogiannis, Vasileios; Martínez, Paulino; Bargelloni, Luca; Patarnello, Tomaso
Complex Sex Determination in the Grey Mullet Mugil cephalus Suggested by Individual Whole Genome Sequence Data Journal Article
In: Animals, vol. 15, no. 16, pp. 2445, 2025, ISSN: 2076-2615.
@article{racaku_complex_2025,
title = {Complex Sex Determination in the Grey Mullet Mugil cephalus Suggested by Individual Whole Genome Sequence Data},
author = {Mbarsid Racaku and Serena Ferraresso and Massimiliano Babbucci and Andres Blanco and Costas S Tsigenopoulos and Tereza Manousaki and Jelena Radojicic and Vasileios Papadogiannis and Paulino Martínez and Luca Bargelloni and Tomaso Patarnello},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/16/2445
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Racaku-ANIMALS-52.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/ani15162445},
issn = {2076-2615},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-25},
urldate = {2025-09-25},
journal = {Animals},
volume = {15},
number = {16},
pages = {2445},
abstract = {Mugil cephalus is a cosmopolitan marine fish highly relevant from ecological and economic perspectives. Previous studies identified sex-associated variants in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) gene following an XX/XY sex determination (SD) system. However, these variants could not be fully associated with sex in all samples. This suggests other genes and/or environmental factors may be involved in the SD of this species, denoting intraspecific variation. In this study, we constructed a new high-quality genome assembly of M. cephalus. We then re-sequenced the whole genome in males and females from two divergent Mediterranean populations to ascertain whether other genetic variants could also be involved in SD. fshr gene variants showed to only partially explain SD, while a new intronic variant in the sestd1 gene appeared to be associated with SD following a ZZ/ZW system. The presence of other putative candidate SD variants showing significant differences between the two populations suggested a regional pattern of variation in SD in the Mediterranean Sea. The incomplete association of all the identified variants also pointed to a potential role for environmental factors.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mugil cephalus is a cosmopolitan marine fish highly relevant from ecological and economic perspectives. Previous studies identified sex-associated variants in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) gene following an XX/XY sex determination (SD) system. However, these variants could not be fully associated with sex in all samples. This suggests other genes and/or environmental factors may be involved in the SD of this species, denoting intraspecific variation. In this study, we constructed a new high-quality genome assembly of M. cephalus. We then re-sequenced the whole genome in males and females from two divergent Mediterranean populations to ascertain whether other genetic variants could also be involved in SD. fshr gene variants showed to only partially explain SD, while a new intronic variant in the sestd1 gene appeared to be associated with SD following a ZZ/ZW system. The presence of other putative candidate SD variants showing significant differences between the two populations suggested a regional pattern of variation in SD in the Mediterranean Sea. The incomplete association of all the identified variants also pointed to a potential role for environmental factors.
Metcalfe, Abigail; Druitt, Tim; Pank, Katharina; Kutterolf, Steffen; Preine, Jonas; Kelfoun, Karim; Hübscher, Christian; Nomikou, Paraskevi; Ronge, Thomas A; Chiyonobu, Shun; Koukousioura, Olga; Woodhouse, Adam; Beethe, Sarah; Manga, Michael; McIntosh, Iona; Tominaga, Masako; Berthod, Carole; Chen, Hehe; Clark, Acacia; DeBari, Susan; Gertisser, Ralf; Johnston, Raymond; Peccia, Ally; Yamamoto, Yuzuru; Bernard, Alexis; Perez, Tatiana Fernandez; Jones, Christopher K; Joshi, Kumar Batuk; Kletetschka, Günther; McCanta, Molly; Morris, Antony; Polymenakou, Paraskevi; Li, Xiaohui; Nedelec, Jean-Marie; Lee, Hao-Yang; Papanikolaou, Dimitrios
Submarine ash megabed fed by far-traveled, shoreline-crossing pyroclastic currents from a large explosive volcanic eruption Journal Article
In: Science Advances, vol. 11, no. 33, pp. eads9642, 2025, ISSN: 2375-2548.
@article{metcalfe_submarine_2025,
title = {Submarine ash megabed fed by far-traveled, shoreline-crossing pyroclastic currents from a large explosive volcanic eruption},
author = {Abigail Metcalfe and Tim Druitt and Katharina Pank and Steffen Kutterolf and Jonas Preine and Karim Kelfoun and Christian Hübscher and Paraskevi Nomikou and Thomas A Ronge and Shun Chiyonobu and Olga Koukousioura and Adam Woodhouse and Sarah Beethe and Michael Manga and Iona McIntosh and Masako Tominaga and Carole Berthod and Hehe Chen and Acacia Clark and Susan DeBari and Ralf Gertisser and Raymond Johnston and Ally Peccia and Yuzuru Yamamoto and Alexis Bernard and Tatiana Fernandez Perez and Christopher K Jones and Kumar Batuk Joshi and Günther Kletetschka and Molly McCanta and Antony Morris and Paraskevi Polymenakou and Xiaohui Li and Jean-Marie Nedelec and Hao-Yang Lee and Dimitrios Papanikolaou},
url = {https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads9642
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Metcalfe-Sci-Adv-51.pdf},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.ads9642},
issn = {2375-2548},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-22},
urldate = {2025-09-22},
journal = {Science Advances},
volume = {11},
number = {33},
pages = {eads9642},
abstract = {Large explosive volcanic eruptions from island volcanoes deliver vast quantities of ash to the marine environment. While many of the transport pathways are understood, those from shoreline-crossing or submarine pyroclastic currents, and their transformation into water-supported gravity flows, remain poorly constrained. We report the discovery by International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) deep drilling of a 200-meter-thick ash megabed buried in rift basins of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The textgreater73–cubic kilometer ash deposit originates from the Kos Plateau Tuff caldera-forming eruption, which occurred 161 thousand years ago, textgreater120 kilometers to the east. The ash forms a chemically uniform, graded megabed lacking bioturbation, interpreted as having been emplaced by a stream of eruption-fed turbidity currents. Bioclastic debris within the ash provides evidence of widespread destruction of marine ecosystems. Large volcanic eruptions can remodel the seafloor landscape, deposit thick ash turbidites, and destroy marine biota on island arc–wide scales in short-lived, catastrophic events.
,
Volcanic ash from an eruption in Greece poured into the sea, forming a bed 200 m thick in a submarine basin far from the volcano.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Large explosive volcanic eruptions from island volcanoes deliver vast quantities of ash to the marine environment. While many of the transport pathways are understood, those from shoreline-crossing or submarine pyroclastic currents, and their transformation into water-supported gravity flows, remain poorly constrained. We report the discovery by International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) deep drilling of a 200-meter-thick ash megabed buried in rift basins of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The textgreater73–cubic kilometer ash deposit originates from the Kos Plateau Tuff caldera-forming eruption, which occurred 161 thousand years ago, textgreater120 kilometers to the east. The ash forms a chemically uniform, graded megabed lacking bioturbation, interpreted as having been emplaced by a stream of eruption-fed turbidity currents. Bioclastic debris within the ash provides evidence of widespread destruction of marine ecosystems. Large volcanic eruptions can remodel the seafloor landscape, deposit thick ash turbidites, and destroy marine biota on island arc–wide scales in short-lived, catastrophic events.
,
Volcanic ash from an eruption in Greece poured into the sea, forming a bed 200 m thick in a submarine basin far from the volcano.
,
Volcanic ash from an eruption in Greece poured into the sea, forming a bed 200 m thick in a submarine basin far from the volcano.
Gittings, John A; Livanou, Eleni; Sun, Xuerong; Brewin, Robert J W; Psarra, Stella; Mandalakis, Manolis; Peltekis, Alexandra; Cicco, Annalisa Di; Brando, Vittorio E; Raitsos, Dionysios E
In: Remote Sensing, vol. 17, no. 14, pp. 2362, 2025, ISSN: 2072-4292.
@article{gittings_remotely_2025,
title = {Remotely Sensing Phytoplankton Size Structure in the Mediterranean Sea: Insights from In Situ Data and Temperature-Corrected Abundance-Based Models},
author = {John A Gittings and Eleni Livanou and Xuerong Sun and Robert J W Brewin and Stella Psarra and Manolis Mandalakis and Alexandra Peltekis and Annalisa Di Cicco and Vittorio E Brando and Dionysios E Raitsos},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/14/2362
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Gittings-RemSense-50.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/rs17142362},
issn = {2072-4292},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-15},
urldate = {2025-09-16},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {17},
number = {14},
pages = {2362},
abstract = {Since the mid-1980s, the Mediterranean Sea’s surface and deeper layers have warmed at unprecedented rates, with recent projections identifying it as one of the regions most impacted by rising global temperatures. Metrics that characterize phytoplankton abundance, phenology and size structure are widely utilized as ecological indicators that enable a quantitative assessment of the status of marine ecosystems in response to environmental change. Here, using an extensive, updated in situ pigment dataset collated from numerous past research campaigns across the Mediterranean Sea, we re-parameterized an abundance-based phytoplankton size class model that infers Chl-a concentration in three phytoplankton size classes: pico- (textless2 μm), nano- (2–20 μm) and micro-phytoplankton (textgreater20 μm). Following recent advancements made within this category of size class models, we also incorporated information of sea surface temperature (SST) into the model parameterization. By tying model parameters to SST, the performance of the re-parameterized model was improved based on comparisons with concurrent, independent in situ measurements. Similarly, the application of the model to remotely sensed ocean color observations revealed strong agreement between satellite-derived estimates of phytoplankton size structure and in situ observations, with a performance comparable to the current regional operational datasets on size structure. The proposed conceptual regional model, parameterized with the most extended in situ pigment dataset available to date for the area, serves as a suitable foundation for long-term (1997–present) analyses on phytoplankton size structure and ecological indicators (i.e., phenology), ultimately linking higher trophic level responses to a changing Mediterranean Sea.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Since the mid-1980s, the Mediterranean Sea’s surface and deeper layers have warmed at unprecedented rates, with recent projections identifying it as one of the regions most impacted by rising global temperatures. Metrics that characterize phytoplankton abundance, phenology and size structure are widely utilized as ecological indicators that enable a quantitative assessment of the status of marine ecosystems in response to environmental change. Here, using an extensive, updated in situ pigment dataset collated from numerous past research campaigns across the Mediterranean Sea, we re-parameterized an abundance-based phytoplankton size class model that infers Chl-a concentration in three phytoplankton size classes: pico- (textless2 μm), nano- (2–20 μm) and micro-phytoplankton (textgreater20 μm). Following recent advancements made within this category of size class models, we also incorporated information of sea surface temperature (SST) into the model parameterization. By tying model parameters to SST, the performance of the re-parameterized model was improved based on comparisons with concurrent, independent in situ measurements. Similarly, the application of the model to remotely sensed ocean color observations revealed strong agreement between satellite-derived estimates of phytoplankton size structure and in situ observations, with a performance comparable to the current regional operational datasets on size structure. The proposed conceptual regional model, parameterized with the most extended in situ pigment dataset available to date for the area, serves as a suitable foundation for long-term (1997–present) analyses on phytoplankton size structure and ecological indicators (i.e., phenology), ultimately linking higher trophic level responses to a changing Mediterranean Sea.
Digenis, Markos; Ragkousis, Michail; Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis
Assessing the Motile Fauna of Eastern Mediterranean Marine Caves Journal Article
In: Fishes, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 383, 2025, ISSN: 2410-3888.
@article{digenis_assessing_2025,
title = {Assessing the Motile Fauna of Eastern Mediterranean Marine Caves},
author = {Markos Digenis and Michail Ragkousis and Charalampos Dimitriadis and Stelios Katsanevakis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/8/383
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Digenis-fishes-49.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/fishes10080383},
issn = {2410-3888},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-12},
urldate = {2025-09-15},
journal = {Fishes},
volume = {10},
number = {8},
pages = {383},
abstract = {Although marine caves are among the most species-diverse habitats in the Mediterranean Sea, most available studies have focused on their sessile fauna. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of motile fauna in 27 marine caves across four geographical subareas of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, using a rapid assessment visual census protocol, applied through 3 min time transects in each ecological cave zone. Multivariate analysis revealed that the motile community structure of the cave entrance was differentiated from that of the semidark and dark zones. Deeper caves were distinct from shallower ones while caves of the east Aegean differed from those around Crete Island. A total of 163 taxa were recorded, 27 of which are reported herein for the first time in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, while three species (two native and one introduced) are recorded in Greek waters for the first time, enriching our knowledge on the permanent and occasional cave residents. Seventeen species were introduced, comprising more than half of the total fish abundance in the southeasternmost cave. Our limited knowledge of the motile fauna of Mediterranean marine caves coupled with the continued spread of introduced species highlights the urgent need for monitoring and conservation actions, especially within marine protected areas.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Although marine caves are among the most species-diverse habitats in the Mediterranean Sea, most available studies have focused on their sessile fauna. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of motile fauna in 27 marine caves across four geographical subareas of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, using a rapid assessment visual census protocol, applied through 3 min time transects in each ecological cave zone. Multivariate analysis revealed that the motile community structure of the cave entrance was differentiated from that of the semidark and dark zones. Deeper caves were distinct from shallower ones while caves of the east Aegean differed from those around Crete Island. A total of 163 taxa were recorded, 27 of which are reported herein for the first time in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, while three species (two native and one introduced) are recorded in Greek waters for the first time, enriching our knowledge on the permanent and occasional cave residents. Seventeen species were introduced, comprising more than half of the total fish abundance in the southeasternmost cave. Our limited knowledge of the motile fauna of Mediterranean marine caves coupled with the continued spread of introduced species highlights the urgent need for monitoring and conservation actions, especially within marine protected areas.
Tampou, Anna; Kousoulaki, Katerina; Vasilaki, Antigoni; Vlahos, Nikolaos; Nikouli, Eleni; Panteli, Nikolas; Feidantsis, Konstantinos; Kormas, Konstantinos; Andreopoulou, Styliani; Karapanagiotidis, Ioannis T; Berillis, Panagiotis; Nengas, Ioannis; Antonopoulou, Efthimia; Mente, Eleni
Growth Performance of Gilthead Sea Bream ( Sparus aurata ) Fed Low Fish Meal Diets With an Innovative Mixture of Low Trophic Ingredients Journal Article
In: Aquaculture Nutrition, vol. 2025, no. 1, pp. 7504207, 2025, ISSN: 1353-5773, 1365-2095.
@article{tampou_growth_2025,
title = {Growth Performance of Gilthead Sea Bream ( \textit{Sparus aurata} ) Fed Low Fish Meal Diets With an Innovative Mixture of Low Trophic Ingredients},
author = {Anna Tampou and Katerina Kousoulaki and Antigoni Vasilaki and Nikolaos Vlahos and Eleni Nikouli and Nikolas Panteli and Konstantinos Feidantsis and Konstantinos Kormas and Styliani Andreopoulou and Ioannis T Karapanagiotidis and Panagiotis Berillis and Ioannis Nengas and Efthimia Antonopoulou and Eleni Mente},
editor = {Noah Esmaeili},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/anu/7504207
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Tampou-Aqua-Nutr-48.pdf},
doi = {10.1155/anu/7504207},
issn = {1353-5773, 1365-2095},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-11},
urldate = {2025-09-12},
journal = {Aquaculture Nutrition},
volume = {2025},
number = {1},
pages = {7504207},
abstract = {This study examined the growth performance, cellular signaling, and gut microbiome of gilthead sea bream (
Sparus aurata
) fed four diets using low‐trophic‐level ingredients for 65 days. Control (C) diet contained fish meal (FM) as the main protein source and fish oil (FO) as a lipid source. In the 0%FMFO diet all FM and FO present in the C diet was replaced with a combination of microalgae, insect meal (IM), and tunicate meal (TM). IM and TM diets were formulated to contain 20% of the novel protein ingredients, replacing 68.09% and 45.91% of FM in diet C, respectively. Compared to diet C, feed utilization and growth performance of
S
.
aurata
fed 0%FMFO diet was not different (
p
textgreater 0.05) and TM diet had a significantly lower (
p
textless 0.05) specific growth rate (SGR), higher (
p
textless 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and decreased fillet lipid content (
p
textless 0.05). In liver and foregut of fish fed TM diet the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (L‐LDH) significant increased (
p
textless 0.05), indicating higher glycolytic potential, whereas the decrease in Hsp70, Hsp90, AMPK, and p38 MAPK may indicate reduced stress response. Fish midgut microbiome included beneficial taxa for the host. The results suggested that the mixture of algae, insect, and TM could replace all FM and FO in gilthead sea bream diets without affecting the fish growth performance.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study examined the growth performance, cellular signaling, and gut microbiome of gilthead sea bream (
Sparus aurata
) fed four diets using low‐trophic‐level ingredients for 65 days. Control (C) diet contained fish meal (FM) as the main protein source and fish oil (FO) as a lipid source. In the 0%FMFO diet all FM and FO present in the C diet was replaced with a combination of microalgae, insect meal (IM), and tunicate meal (TM). IM and TM diets were formulated to contain 20% of the novel protein ingredients, replacing 68.09% and 45.91% of FM in diet C, respectively. Compared to diet C, feed utilization and growth performance of
S
.
aurata
fed 0%FMFO diet was not different (
p
textgreater 0.05) and TM diet had a significantly lower (
p
textless 0.05) specific growth rate (SGR), higher (
p
textless 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and decreased fillet lipid content (
p
textless 0.05). In liver and foregut of fish fed TM diet the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (L‐LDH) significant increased (
p
textless 0.05), indicating higher glycolytic potential, whereas the decrease in Hsp70, Hsp90, AMPK, and p38 MAPK may indicate reduced stress response. Fish midgut microbiome included beneficial taxa for the host. The results suggested that the mixture of algae, insect, and TM could replace all FM and FO in gilthead sea bream diets without affecting the fish growth performance.
Sparus aurata
) fed four diets using low‐trophic‐level ingredients for 65 days. Control (C) diet contained fish meal (FM) as the main protein source and fish oil (FO) as a lipid source. In the 0%FMFO diet all FM and FO present in the C diet was replaced with a combination of microalgae, insect meal (IM), and tunicate meal (TM). IM and TM diets were formulated to contain 20% of the novel protein ingredients, replacing 68.09% and 45.91% of FM in diet C, respectively. Compared to diet C, feed utilization and growth performance of
S
.
aurata
fed 0%FMFO diet was not different (
p
textgreater 0.05) and TM diet had a significantly lower (
p
textless 0.05) specific growth rate (SGR), higher (
p
textless 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) and decreased fillet lipid content (
p
textless 0.05). In liver and foregut of fish fed TM diet the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (L‐LDH) significant increased (
p
textless 0.05), indicating higher glycolytic potential, whereas the decrease in Hsp70, Hsp90, AMPK, and p38 MAPK may indicate reduced stress response. Fish midgut microbiome included beneficial taxa for the host. The results suggested that the mixture of algae, insect, and TM could replace all FM and FO in gilthead sea bream diets without affecting the fish growth performance.
Christou, Epaminondas D; Dailianis, Thanos; Chatzinikolaou, Evangelia; Karachle, Paraskevi K; Damalas, Dimitrios; Tsagarakis, Konstantinos; Strogyloudi, Evangelia; Karris, Georgios; Zervoudaki, Soultana; Giannakourou, Antonia; Salomidi, Maria; Reizopoulou, Sofia
Climate change in the “vulnerable” Eastern Mediterranean and adjacent areas: A literature review of ecological impacts and threats Journal Article
In: Marine Environmental Research, vol. 211, pp. 107390, 2025, ISSN: 01411136.
@article{christou_climate_2025,
title = {Climate change in the “vulnerable” Eastern Mediterranean and adjacent areas: A literature review of ecological impacts and threats},
author = {Epaminondas D Christou and Thanos Dailianis and Evangelia Chatzinikolaou and Paraskevi K Karachle and Dimitrios Damalas and Konstantinos Tsagarakis and Evangelia Strogyloudi and Georgios Karris and Soultana Zervoudaki and Antonia Giannakourou and Maria Salomidi and Sofia Reizopoulou},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0141113625004477
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Christou-MarEnvRes-47.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107390},
issn = {01411136},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-08},
urldate = {2025-09-09},
journal = {Marine Environmental Research},
volume = {211},
pages = {107390},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Holm, Johanna B; Paragkamian, Savvas; Humphreys, Mike; Chatterjee, Apaala; Yarwood, Stephanie; Gaimaro, Josh; Stavroulaki, Melanthia; Tsaparis, Dimitris; Plaitis, Manolis; Kasapidis, Panagiotis; Darivianakis, Stelios; Kotoulas, Georgios; Magoulas, Antonios; Oulas, Anastasis; Kyrpiotakis, Zacharias; Pavlidis, Pavlos; Hoopen, Petra Ten; Cochrane, Guy; Kooistra, Wiebe H C F; Schriml, Jason R; Schriml, Bronwen E; Lagkouvardos, Ilias; Gkorezis, Panos; Davies, Neil; Laney, Christine; Stanish, Lee; Sutton, Granger; Tighe, Scott; Mizrachi, Ilene Karsch; Parks, Donovan; Yilmaz, Pelin; Carey, Chelsea; Buttigieg, Pier; Goldstein, Philip; Pafilis, Evangelos; Schriml, Lynn M
First island-wide, single-day soil collection study on Crete reveals environmental drivers of microbial diversity Journal Article
In: Environmental Microbiome, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 94, 2025, ISSN: 2524-6372.
@article{holm_first_2025,
title = {First island-wide, single-day soil collection study on Crete reveals environmental drivers of microbial diversity},
author = {Johanna B Holm and Savvas Paragkamian and Mike Humphreys and Apaala Chatterjee and Stephanie Yarwood and Josh Gaimaro and Melanthia Stavroulaki and Dimitris Tsaparis and Manolis Plaitis and Panagiotis Kasapidis and Stelios Darivianakis and Georgios Kotoulas and Antonios Magoulas and Anastasis Oulas and Zacharias Kyrpiotakis and Pavlos Pavlidis and Petra Ten Hoopen and Guy Cochrane and Wiebe H C F Kooistra and Jason R Schriml and Bronwen E Schriml and Ilias Lagkouvardos and Panos Gkorezis and Neil Davies and Christine Laney and Lee Stanish and Granger Sutton and Scott Tighe and Ilene Karsch Mizrachi and Donovan Parks and Pelin Yilmaz and Chelsea Carey and Pier Buttigieg and Philip Goldstein and Evangelos Pafilis and Lynn M Schriml},
url = {https://environmentalmicrobiome.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40793-025-00752-z
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Holm-Paragkamian-EnvMicro-46.pdf},
doi = {10.1186/s40793-025-00752-z},
issn = {2524-6372},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-04},
urldate = {2025-09-08},
journal = {Environmental Microbiome},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {94},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Rotter, Ana; Rinkevich, Baruch; Deniz, Irem; Reddy, Maggie M; Girão, Mariana; Carvalho, Maria F; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Gostinčar, Cene; Cueto, Mercedes; Díaz-Marrero, Ana R; Komarysta, Viktoriia; Akgul, Fusun; Bilela, Lada Lukić; Grigalionyte-Bembič, Ernesta; Mandalakis, Manolis
Innovative solutions for valorization of desalination brine Journal Article
In: Water Research X, vol. 28, pp. 100372, 2025, ISSN: 25899147.
@article{rotter_innovative_2025,
title = {Innovative solutions for valorization of desalination brine},
author = {Ana Rotter and Baruch Rinkevich and Irem Deniz and Maggie M Reddy and Mariana Girão and Maria F Carvalho and Nina Gunde-Cimerman and Cene Gostinčar and Mercedes Cueto and Ana R Díaz-Marrero and Viktoriia Komarysta and Fusun Akgul and Lada Lukić Bilela and Ernesta Grigalionyte-Bembič and Manolis Mandalakis},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2589914725000714
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Rotter-WaterRX-45.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.wroa.2025.100372},
issn = {25899147},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-01},
urldate = {2025-09-05},
journal = {Water Research X},
volume = {28},
pages = {100372},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Stavrakidis-Zachou, Orestis; Eding, Ep H; Papandroulakis, Nikos; Lika, Konstadia
A Nutritional Bioenergetic Model for Farmed Fish: Effects of Food Composition on Growth, Oxygen Consumption and Waste Production Journal Article
In: Aquaculture Nutrition, vol. 2025, no. 1, pp. 9010939, 2025, ISSN: 1353-5773, 1365-2095.
@article{stavrakidis-zachou_nutritional_2025,
title = {A Nutritional Bioenergetic Model for Farmed Fish: Effects of Food Composition on Growth, Oxygen Consumption and Waste Production},
author = {Orestis Stavrakidis-Zachou and Ep H Eding and Nikos Papandroulakis and Konstadia Lika},
editor = {Liqiao Chen},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/anu/9010939
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Stavrakidis-Zachou-AquaNutr-44.pdf},
doi = {10.1155/anu/9010939},
issn = {1353-5773, 1365-2095},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-29},
urldate = {2025-09-04},
journal = {Aquaculture Nutrition},
volume = {2025},
number = {1},
pages = {9010939},
abstract = {The study of flow and transformation of energy and nutrients via mathematical modelling provides an in silico tool approach for designing scientific experiments, improving precision in aquaculture production and reducing the need for experimental animals. The proposed nutritional bioenergetics model is based on the dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory, a mechanistic framework to study individual metabolism. The model is an extension of the typical DEB models in that it includes a digestion module where the protein and non‐protein food components contribute to assimilation via the concept of a synthesising unit (SU). The model allows predictions for measurable quantities of interest for aquaculture, including feeding rate, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide, ammonia and solid waste production, under various temperatures and feeding conditions, both in terms of quantity and macronutrient composition. The feeding schedule’s effects, such as the diurnal variation in waste production in response to feeding frequency, are also captured. The model quantifies the effects of the dietary protein‐to‐energy ratio on food intake and assimilation; energy‐rich diets or those with excessive or poor amounts of protein show reduced intake. The model has been parametrised and validated for rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
) to demonstrate its capabilities. Testing the model with diverse datasets has shown that it predicts weight gain well, and to a lesser extent, oxygen consumption and total ammonia production. The proposed model could be a useful in silico tool for fish researchers, technicians and farm operators.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The study of flow and transformation of energy and nutrients via mathematical modelling provides an in silico tool approach for designing scientific experiments, improving precision in aquaculture production and reducing the need for experimental animals. The proposed nutritional bioenergetics model is based on the dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory, a mechanistic framework to study individual metabolism. The model is an extension of the typical DEB models in that it includes a digestion module where the protein and non‐protein food components contribute to assimilation via the concept of a synthesising unit (SU). The model allows predictions for measurable quantities of interest for aquaculture, including feeding rate, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide, ammonia and solid waste production, under various temperatures and feeding conditions, both in terms of quantity and macronutrient composition. The feeding schedule’s effects, such as the diurnal variation in waste production in response to feeding frequency, are also captured. The model quantifies the effects of the dietary protein‐to‐energy ratio on food intake and assimilation; energy‐rich diets or those with excessive or poor amounts of protein show reduced intake. The model has been parametrised and validated for rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
) to demonstrate its capabilities. Testing the model with diverse datasets has shown that it predicts weight gain well, and to a lesser extent, oxygen consumption and total ammonia production. The proposed model could be a useful in silico tool for fish researchers, technicians and farm operators.
Oncorhynchus mykiss
) to demonstrate its capabilities. Testing the model with diverse datasets has shown that it predicts weight gain well, and to a lesser extent, oxygen consumption and total ammonia production. The proposed model could be a useful in silico tool for fish researchers, technicians and farm operators.
Conides, Alexis; Cotou, Efthimia; Klaoudatos, Dimitris; Glamuzina, Branko
An Innovative Metal–Synthetic Hybrid Thread for the Construction of Aquaculture Nets Journal Article
In: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 1384, 2025, ISSN: 2077-1312.
@article{conides_innovative_2025,
title = {An Innovative Metal–Synthetic Hybrid Thread for the Construction of Aquaculture Nets},
author = {Alexis Conides and Efthimia Cotou and Dimitris Klaoudatos and Branko Glamuzina},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/8/1384
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Conides-MSciEng-43.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/jmse13081384},
issn = {2077-1312},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-27},
urldate = {2025-09-03},
journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {1384},
abstract = {Based on the experience gained worldwide from potential solutions to the fouling problem of fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure, we attempted to design, construct and test the antifouling efficiency of a new hybrid filament created from non-laminated copper wire braided with synthetic fibers made of Dyneema. The design involved the creation of a hybrid twine substituting a percentage of the synthetic fibers with 0.1–0.15 mm diameter copper wire at 5%, 10%, 20% and 40% levels. There is limited information in the international literature for comparison with our results, since there has never been any attempt to create such a hybrid net. The results showed that for the 6 mm mesh, the maximum openness obtained after the 8-month experimental period was 8.72%, with Cu wire substitution at 35%. For the 12 mm mesh, these values were 27.07% at 26%, and for the 20 mm mesh, they were 33.68% at 28%. A conservative average independent from mesh size to achieve optimum openness in the long term is 30 ± 4.73% Cu wire substitution. In addition, we found that both the mesh size (mm) and the copper substitution percentage affected the fouling process during the experimental period, which lasted 8 months.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Based on the experience gained worldwide from potential solutions to the fouling problem of fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure, we attempted to design, construct and test the antifouling efficiency of a new hybrid filament created from non-laminated copper wire braided with synthetic fibers made of Dyneema. The design involved the creation of a hybrid twine substituting a percentage of the synthetic fibers with 0.1–0.15 mm diameter copper wire at 5%, 10%, 20% and 40% levels. There is limited information in the international literature for comparison with our results, since there has never been any attempt to create such a hybrid net. The results showed that for the 6 mm mesh, the maximum openness obtained after the 8-month experimental period was 8.72%, with Cu wire substitution at 35%. For the 12 mm mesh, these values were 27.07% at 26%, and for the 20 mm mesh, they were 33.68% at 28%. A conservative average independent from mesh size to achieve optimum openness in the long term is 30 ± 4.73% Cu wire substitution. In addition, we found that both the mesh size (mm) and the copper substitution percentage affected the fouling process during the experimental period, which lasted 8 months.
Salomidi, Maria; Marchiò, Alfredo; Issaris, Yiannis; Gerakaris, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis
In: Mediterranean Marine Science, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 378–392, 2025, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X.
@article{salomidi_advancing_2025,
title = {Advancing knowledge on red coral Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) populations and associated mesophotic communities in the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean},
author = {Maria Salomidi and Alfredo Marchiò and Yiannis Issaris and Vasilis Gerakaris and Thanos Dailianis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou},
url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/41403
/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Salomidi-MMS-42.pdf
},
doi = {10.12681/mms.41403},
issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-25},
urldate = {2025-09-02},
journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {378--392},
abstract = {This study presents the first quantitative analysis of live red coral (Corallium rubrum) populations in Greek waters (North-Western Aegean Sea) and contributes to the limited knowledge of mesophotic benthic assemblages in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Utilizing ROV and stereo-video SCUBA surveys at two previously harvested sites (47-60 m depth), we quantified red coral density and morphometric parameters. Associated benthic communities, comprising 101 taxa with Porifera as the dominant group, were characterized, and the Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation Status (MACS) index was applied for the first time in this region, revealing an overall “Good” ecological status despite locally degraded facies. While red coral entanglement by widespread ghost fishing gear appeared low, high frequencies of necrosis and epibiosis were observed in the larger canopy-forming gorgonian Paramuricea clavata, potentially indicating current and past mechanical damage, although the synergistic effects of other physical stressors cannot be excluded. This research offers crucial baseline data on red coral populations and associated mesophotic communities in an under-studied region and ecological zone. Our findings are discussed in the context of existing national management frameworks and conservation measures, emphasizing the need for further monitoring and research to inform effective management and conservation strategies in view of increasing anthropogenic and environmental pressures.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study presents the first quantitative analysis of live red coral (Corallium rubrum) populations in Greek waters (North-Western Aegean Sea) and contributes to the limited knowledge of mesophotic benthic assemblages in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Utilizing ROV and stereo-video SCUBA surveys at two previously harvested sites (47-60 m depth), we quantified red coral density and morphometric parameters. Associated benthic communities, comprising 101 taxa with Porifera as the dominant group, were characterized, and the Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation Status (MACS) index was applied for the first time in this region, revealing an overall “Good” ecological status despite locally degraded facies. While red coral entanglement by widespread ghost fishing gear appeared low, high frequencies of necrosis and epibiosis were observed in the larger canopy-forming gorgonian Paramuricea clavata, potentially indicating current and past mechanical damage, although the synergistic effects of other physical stressors cannot be excluded. This research offers crucial baseline data on red coral populations and associated mesophotic communities in an under-studied region and ecological zone. Our findings are discussed in the context of existing national management frameworks and conservation measures, emphasizing the need for further monitoring and research to inform effective management and conservation strategies in view of increasing anthropogenic and environmental pressures.
Angelakopoulos, Rafael; Tsipourlianos, Andreas; Fytsili, Alexia E; Mitrizakis, Nikolaos; Giannoulis, Themistoklis; Papandroulakis, Nikos; Moutou, Katerina A
The Effects of Early Temperature and Live Feeds on the Development of White Muscle in Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) Journal Article
In: Fishes, vol. 10, no. 7, pp. 360, 2025, ISSN: 2410-3888.
@article{angelakopoulos_effects_2025,
title = {The Effects of Early Temperature and Live Feeds on the Development of White Muscle in Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)},
author = {Rafael Angelakopoulos and Andreas Tsipourlianos and Alexia E Fytsili and Nikolaos Mitrizakis and Themistoklis Giannoulis and Nikos Papandroulakis and Katerina A Moutou},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/10/7/360
/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-Angelakopoulos-Fishes-41.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/fishes10070360},
issn = {2410-3888},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-11},
urldate = {2025-08-11},
journal = {Fishes},
volume = {10},
number = {7},
pages = {360},
abstract = {Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) shows potential for Mediterranean aquaculture due to its swift growth, consumer appeal, and commercial value. However, challenges in juvenile production, such as growth dispersion and unsynchronized development, impede further expansion. This study explores the impact of rearing temperature and live feed types on early white muscle development in greater amberjack larvae. Findings reveal substantial effects of temperature and diet on larval development, highlighting that the combination of 24 °C and a copepod + rotifer co-feeding scheme resulted in the highest axial growth rate, whereas rotifer-fed larvae at 20 °C exhibited a slower pace. Incorporating both histological and gene expression analyses, the study underscores temperature’s significant influence on white muscle development. Among larvae reared at 24 °C, the two live feed types led to phenotypic variations at metamorphosis, with rotifers supporting longer larvae featuring a smaller total cross-sectional area compared to copepods. Gene expression analysis indicates heightened mylpfb and myog expression at 24 °C during early larval stages, suggesting increased hyperplasia and myoblast differentiation. This study highlights the necessity of considering both temperature and feed type in larval rearing practices for optimal muscle development, and further research exploring combined diets during rearing could offer insights to enhance amberjack aquaculture sustainability.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) shows potential for Mediterranean aquaculture due to its swift growth, consumer appeal, and commercial value. However, challenges in juvenile production, such as growth dispersion and unsynchronized development, impede further expansion. This study explores the impact of rearing temperature and live feed types on early white muscle development in greater amberjack larvae. Findings reveal substantial effects of temperature and diet on larval development, highlighting that the combination of 24 °C and a copepod + rotifer co-feeding scheme resulted in the highest axial growth rate, whereas rotifer-fed larvae at 20 °C exhibited a slower pace. Incorporating both histological and gene expression analyses, the study underscores temperature’s significant influence on white muscle development. Among larvae reared at 24 °C, the two live feed types led to phenotypic variations at metamorphosis, with rotifers supporting longer larvae featuring a smaller total cross-sectional area compared to copepods. Gene expression analysis indicates heightened mylpfb and myog expression at 24 °C during early larval stages, suggesting increased hyperplasia and myoblast differentiation. This study highlights the necessity of considering both temperature and feed type in larval rearing practices for optimal muscle development, and further research exploring combined diets during rearing could offer insights to enhance amberjack aquaculture sustainability.
Idan, Tal; Shefer, Sigal; Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Goren, Liron
Testing the effect of host availability on endobiont diversity: proposing the single hotel hypothesis Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 21717, 2025, ISSN: 2045-2322.
@article{idan_testing_2025b,
title = {Testing the effect of host availability on endobiont diversity: proposing the single hotel hypothesis},
author = {Tal Idan and Sigal Shefer and Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Liron Goren},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-09496-9
/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-Idan-SciReport-40.pdf},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-09496-9},
issn = {2045-2322},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-01},
urldate = {2025-08-01},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {21717},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Wylie, Matthew J; Ribeiro, Flavio F; Fantham, Warren; Puklowski, Morgan E; Rebstock, Ria; Shaw, Nicola; Mylonas, Constantinos C; Kato, Keitaro; Elizur, Abigail; Wellenreuther, Maren
Effects of hormonal treatments on spawning latency and egg production of captive silver trevally (Pseudocaranx georgianus) Journal Article
In: Aquaculture Reports, vol. 43, pp. 102964, 2025, ISSN: 23525134.
@article{wylie_effects_2025,
title = {Effects of hormonal treatments on spawning latency and egg production of captive silver trevally (\textit{Pseudocaranx georgianus})},
author = {Matthew J Wylie and Flavio F Ribeiro and Warren Fantham and Morgan E Puklowski and Ria Rebstock and Nicola Shaw and Constantinos C Mylonas and Keitaro Kato and Abigail Elizur and Maren Wellenreuther},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352513425003503
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Wylie-AquaReports-39.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102964},
issn = {23525134},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-30},
urldate = {2025-07-31},
journal = {Aquaculture Reports},
volume = {43},
pages = {102964},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Möller, Ben; Livanou, Eleni; Psarra, Stella; Koulouri, Panayota; Dounas, Costas; Rotter, Ana; Mandalakis, Manolis
In: Regional Studies in Marine Science, vol. 89, pp. 104320, 2025, ISSN: 23524855.
@article{moller_comparative_2025,
title = {Comparative assessment of pelagic/benthic microalgae in the oligotrophic continental shelf of Heraklion Bay, Eastern Mediterranean: A pigments-based chemotaxonomic analysis},
author = {Ben Möller and Eleni Livanou and Stella Psarra and Panayota Koulouri and Costas Dounas and Ana Rotter and Manolis Mandalakis},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352485525003111
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Moller-RegStMB-38.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.rsma.2025.104320},
issn = {23524855},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-24},
urldate = {2025-07-25},
journal = {Regional Studies in Marine Science},
volume = {89},
pages = {104320},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Kotsiri, Mado; Kogiannou, Dimitra; Nikoloudaki, Chrisanthi; Kleidas, Ioannis; Dogrammatzi, Aikaterini; Karachle, Paraskevi K; Grigorakis, Kriton
Seasonal Variation in Nutritional Value and Technical Quality of Lionfish (Pterois miles) from the Ionian and Aegean Seas Journal Article
In: Foods, vol. 14, no. 13, pp. 2353, 2025, ISSN: 2304-8158.
@article{kotsiri_seasonal_2025,
title = {Seasonal Variation in Nutritional Value and Technical Quality of Lionfish (Pterois miles) from the Ionian and Aegean Seas},
author = {Mado Kotsiri and Dimitra Kogiannou and Chrisanthi Nikoloudaki and Ioannis Kleidas and Aikaterini Dogrammatzi and Paraskevi K Karachle and Kriton Grigorakis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2353
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Kotsiri-foods-37.pdf
},
doi = {10.3390/foods14132353},
issn = {2304-8158},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-18},
urldate = {2025-07-18},
journal = {Foods},
volume = {14},
number = {13},
pages = {2353},
abstract = {Lionfish (Pterois miles), an invasive species in the Mediterranean, pose ecological and socioeconomic challenges. This study examines the seasonal variation in the nutritional composition and technical quality of lionfish from the Ionian and Aegean Seas, evaluating their potential as a food resource. Fillets were high in protein (19.4%) and low in fat (2.0%), with significant seasonal differences in the Ionian Sea, where winter samples had higher lipid content. The fillet yield (28.4%) was satisfactory given the fish’s morphology. Fatty acid analysis confirmed lionfish as a valuable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with EPA + DHA levels exceeding the recommended daily intake (119.2%). Seasonal variations in fatty acid composition were observed, including higher EPA in autumn and lower lipid nutritional quality in summer. Arachidonic acid (ARA) was also present at nutritionally significant levels (79.4 mg/100 g). The n3/n6 ratio (2.2) and favourable atherogenic and thrombogenic indices highlight its nutritional benefits. This is the first study to assess seasonal variations in the nutritional value and technical yield of lionfish in the Mediterranean, offering novel insights into its commercial valorisation. These findings support its promotion as a sustainable protein source and as a means of managing its invasive population.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Lionfish (Pterois miles), an invasive species in the Mediterranean, pose ecological and socioeconomic challenges. This study examines the seasonal variation in the nutritional composition and technical quality of lionfish from the Ionian and Aegean Seas, evaluating their potential as a food resource. Fillets were high in protein (19.4%) and low in fat (2.0%), with significant seasonal differences in the Ionian Sea, where winter samples had higher lipid content. The fillet yield (28.4%) was satisfactory given the fish’s morphology. Fatty acid analysis confirmed lionfish as a valuable source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with EPA + DHA levels exceeding the recommended daily intake (119.2%). Seasonal variations in fatty acid composition were observed, including higher EPA in autumn and lower lipid nutritional quality in summer. Arachidonic acid (ARA) was also present at nutritionally significant levels (79.4 mg/100 g). The n3/n6 ratio (2.2) and favourable atherogenic and thrombogenic indices highlight its nutritional benefits. This is the first study to assess seasonal variations in the nutritional value and technical yield of lionfish in the Mediterranean, offering novel insights into its commercial valorisation. These findings support its promotion as a sustainable protein source and as a means of managing its invasive population.
Manga, Michael; Tominaga, Masako; Preine, Jonas; Ronge, Thomas A; Beethe, Sarah; Hübscher, Christian; McIntosh, Iona; Nomikou, Paraskevi; Kutterolf, Steffen; Druitt, Tim; Bernard, Alexis; Berthod, Carole; Chen, Hehe; Clark, Acacia; DeBari, Susan; Fernandez‐Perez, Tatiana I; Gertisser, Ralf; Johnston, Raymond M; Jones, Christopher K; Joshi, Batuk K; Kletetschka, Günther; Koukousioura, Olga; McCanta, Molly; Morris, Antony; Pank, Katharina; Peccia, Ally; Polymenakou, Paraskevi N; Woodhouse, Adam; Yamamoto, Yuzuru
Low Heat Flow in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea, Recorded by Deep Subsurface Temperatures Journal Article
In: Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 52, no. 13, pp. e2025GL115919, 2025, ISSN: 0094-8276, 1944-8007.
@article{manga_low_2025,
title = {Low Heat Flow in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea, Recorded by Deep Subsurface Temperatures},
author = {Michael Manga and Masako Tominaga and Jonas Preine and Thomas A Ronge and Sarah Beethe and Christian Hübscher and Iona McIntosh and Paraskevi Nomikou and Steffen Kutterolf and Tim Druitt and Alexis Bernard and Carole Berthod and Hehe Chen and Acacia Clark and Susan DeBari and Tatiana I Fernandez‐Perez and Ralf Gertisser and Raymond M Johnston and Christopher K Jones and Batuk K Joshi and Günther Kletetschka and Olga Koukousioura and Molly McCanta and Antony Morris and Katharina Pank and Ally Peccia and Paraskevi N Polymenakou and Adam Woodhouse and Yuzuru Yamamoto},
url = {https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025GL115919
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Manga-GRL-36.pdf},
doi = {10.1029/2025GL115919},
issn = {0094-8276, 1944-8007},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-16},
urldate = {2025-07-16},
journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
volume = {52},
number = {13},
pages = {e2025GL115919},
abstract = {Abstract
Subseafloor in situ temperatures in a drilled hole in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea, measured during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 398, yielded a low heat flow (textless0.023 W/m
2
) despite active magmatism and rifting in the region. The coldest and highest temperatures were 13.9°C at 52.5 m below seafloor (mbsf) and 15.5°C for the deepest measurement at 360.4 mbsf, respectively. Comparison of a heat transfer model with measurements suggests that sea bottom temperatures during the last glacial period were up to 10°C cooler than Holocene temperatures. The magnitude of Holocene warming co‐varies with the geothermal heat flow: if the former goes up the latter goes up. Low heat flow may arise from lateral removal of heat through deeper formations by gravity driven advection of fluids. Tectonic separation of the northwestern Anhydros Basin from the Christiana‐Santorini‐Kolumbo volcanic field may lead to minimal magmatic influences on heat flow.
,
Plain Language Summary
Temperatures in Earth's crust reveal the processes that create and transport heat. In the rifting Anhydros Basin in the Aegean Sea, north of the active South Aegean Volcanic Arc, International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 398 measured cold subsurface temperatures in a borehole to depths exceeding 300 m below the seafloor. These temperatures record low heat flow and cold seafloor temperatures from the last glacial period. The low heat flow at shallow depths may be due to deeper fluid circulation that removes heat. Low heat flow further implies that there are no magma bodies within the crust in the northwestern part of the Anhydros Basin.
,
Key Points
Heat flow is low in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea
Ocean bottom temperatures were cold during the last glacial
Subsurface temperature records surface temperature changes and heat flow},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Subseafloor in situ temperatures in a drilled hole in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea, measured during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 398, yielded a low heat flow (textless0.023 W/m
2
) despite active magmatism and rifting in the region. The coldest and highest temperatures were 13.9°C at 52.5 m below seafloor (mbsf) and 15.5°C for the deepest measurement at 360.4 mbsf, respectively. Comparison of a heat transfer model with measurements suggests that sea bottom temperatures during the last glacial period were up to 10°C cooler than Holocene temperatures. The magnitude of Holocene warming co‐varies with the geothermal heat flow: if the former goes up the latter goes up. Low heat flow may arise from lateral removal of heat through deeper formations by gravity driven advection of fluids. Tectonic separation of the northwestern Anhydros Basin from the Christiana‐Santorini‐Kolumbo volcanic field may lead to minimal magmatic influences on heat flow.
,
Plain Language Summary
Temperatures in Earth's crust reveal the processes that create and transport heat. In the rifting Anhydros Basin in the Aegean Sea, north of the active South Aegean Volcanic Arc, International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 398 measured cold subsurface temperatures in a borehole to depths exceeding 300 m below the seafloor. These temperatures record low heat flow and cold seafloor temperatures from the last glacial period. The low heat flow at shallow depths may be due to deeper fluid circulation that removes heat. Low heat flow further implies that there are no magma bodies within the crust in the northwestern part of the Anhydros Basin.
,
Key Points
Heat flow is low in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea
Ocean bottom temperatures were cold during the last glacial
Subsurface temperature records surface temperature changes and heat flow
Subseafloor in situ temperatures in a drilled hole in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea, measured during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 398, yielded a low heat flow (textless0.023 W/m
2
) despite active magmatism and rifting in the region. The coldest and highest temperatures were 13.9°C at 52.5 m below seafloor (mbsf) and 15.5°C for the deepest measurement at 360.4 mbsf, respectively. Comparison of a heat transfer model with measurements suggests that sea bottom temperatures during the last glacial period were up to 10°C cooler than Holocene temperatures. The magnitude of Holocene warming co‐varies with the geothermal heat flow: if the former goes up the latter goes up. Low heat flow may arise from lateral removal of heat through deeper formations by gravity driven advection of fluids. Tectonic separation of the northwestern Anhydros Basin from the Christiana‐Santorini‐Kolumbo volcanic field may lead to minimal magmatic influences on heat flow.
,
Plain Language Summary
Temperatures in Earth's crust reveal the processes that create and transport heat. In the rifting Anhydros Basin in the Aegean Sea, north of the active South Aegean Volcanic Arc, International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 398 measured cold subsurface temperatures in a borehole to depths exceeding 300 m below the seafloor. These temperatures record low heat flow and cold seafloor temperatures from the last glacial period. The low heat flow at shallow depths may be due to deeper fluid circulation that removes heat. Low heat flow further implies that there are no magma bodies within the crust in the northwestern part of the Anhydros Basin.
,
Key Points
Heat flow is low in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea
Ocean bottom temperatures were cold during the last glacial
Subsurface temperature records surface temperature changes and heat flow
Dritsas, Panagiotis; Patsialou, Stefania; Kampantais, Dimitrios; Roussos, Efstratios; Kotzamanis, Yannis; Tekerlekopoulou, Athanasia; Vayenas, Dimitris V; Aggelis, George
Investigating the Potential of Newly Isolated Microalgae Strains from the Ionian Sea (Greece) Cultured in an Open Raceway Pond Journal Article
In: Applied Sciences, vol. 15, no. 12, pp. 6680, 2025, ISSN: 2076-3417.
@article{dritsas_investigating_2025,
title = {Investigating the Potential of Newly Isolated Microalgae Strains from the Ionian Sea (Greece) Cultured in an Open Raceway Pond},
author = {Panagiotis Dritsas and Stefania Patsialou and Dimitrios Kampantais and Efstratios Roussos and Yannis Kotzamanis and Athanasia Tekerlekopoulou and Dimitris V Vayenas and George Aggelis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6680
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Dritsas-AppSci-35.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/app15126680},
issn = {2076-3417},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-07},
urldate = {2025-07-10},
journal = {Applied Sciences},
volume = {15},
number = {12},
pages = {6680},
abstract = {Microalgae are a subject of interest not only for fundamental research but for various biotechnological applications as well. In this study, the ability of newly isolated strains, i.e., Picochlorum costavermella VAS2.5, Picochlorum oklahomense SAG4.4, Microchloropsis gaditana VON5.3, and Nephroselmis pyriformis PAT2.7, to grow when cultured in an open raceway pond under laboratory conditions and produce various metabolites of high-added value was evaluated. N. pyriformis PAT2.7 and P. costavermella VAS2.5 were the greatest in biomass production (exceeding 0.4 g/L), while P. costavermella VAS2.5 and M. gaditana VON5.3 were the greatest in lipid production (reaching approximately 18%, wt/wt). The lipid fraction of glycolipids and sphingolipids was predominant (43.6–55.4%, wt/wt), followed by neutral lipids (27.1–50.1%, wt/wt) and phospholipids (6.9–17.4%, wt/wt). Picochlora and M. gaditana VON5.3 lipids were rich in Δ5,8,11,14,17C20:5 and/or Δ9,12,15C18:3, while N. pyriformis PAT2.7 synthesized Δ9C16:1 in large quantities (30–40%, wt/wt). All strains showed remarkable yields in polysaccharide and protein production, demonstrated a well-balanced amino acid profile, and synthesized pigments in amounts comparable to other studies. The biochemical profiles of these strains showcased their suitability for use primarily in the aquaculture sector.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Microalgae are a subject of interest not only for fundamental research but for various biotechnological applications as well. In this study, the ability of newly isolated strains, i.e., Picochlorum costavermella VAS2.5, Picochlorum oklahomense SAG4.4, Microchloropsis gaditana VON5.3, and Nephroselmis pyriformis PAT2.7, to grow when cultured in an open raceway pond under laboratory conditions and produce various metabolites of high-added value was evaluated. N. pyriformis PAT2.7 and P. costavermella VAS2.5 were the greatest in biomass production (exceeding 0.4 g/L), while P. costavermella VAS2.5 and M. gaditana VON5.3 were the greatest in lipid production (reaching approximately 18%, wt/wt). The lipid fraction of glycolipids and sphingolipids was predominant (43.6–55.4%, wt/wt), followed by neutral lipids (27.1–50.1%, wt/wt) and phospholipids (6.9–17.4%, wt/wt). Picochlora and M. gaditana VON5.3 lipids were rich in Δ5,8,11,14,17C20:5 and/or Δ9,12,15C18:3, while N. pyriformis PAT2.7 synthesized Δ9C16:1 in large quantities (30–40%, wt/wt). All strains showed remarkable yields in polysaccharide and protein production, demonstrated a well-balanced amino acid profile, and synthesized pigments in amounts comparable to other studies. The biochemical profiles of these strains showcased their suitability for use primarily in the aquaculture sector.
Vasilaki, Antigoni; Nengas, Ioannis; Fountoulaki, Eleni; Henry, Morgane; Kogiannou, Dimitra; Nikoloudaki, Chrysanthi; Chronopoulos, Petros; Karapanagiotidis, Ioannis T; Mente, Elena
In: Aquaculture, vol. 609, pp. 742820, 2025, ISSN: 0044-8486.
@article{vasilaki_nutritional_2025,
title = {Nutritional enhancement of lupin meal (\textit{Lupinus albus}), through fermentation with textitSaccharomyces cerevisiae, as plant protein ingredient in aquafeeds for the European sea bass (\textit{Dicentrarchus labrax}).},
author = {Antigoni Vasilaki and Ioannis Nengas and Eleni Fountoulaki and Morgane Henry and Dimitra Kogiannou and Chrysanthi Nikoloudaki and Petros Chronopoulos and Ioannis T Karapanagiotidis and Elena Mente},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044848625007069
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Vasilaki-AQUA-34.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742820},
issn = {0044-8486},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-04},
urldate = {2025-07-09},
journal = {Aquaculture},
volume = {609},
pages = {742820},
abstract = {Legumes contain antinutritional factors that restrict their use in fish nutrition, however, biotechnological methods such as solid-state fermentation can improve their nutritional profile, positioning them as a sustainable alternative for aquafeed formulation. This research evaluated the feasibility of replacing soybean meal with Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented lupin meal (Lupinus albus) in feed formulations for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Four diets were produced; one commercial type diet (FRL0) and three diets with partial (FRL10, FRL12.5) or complete (FRL15) replacement of soybean meal by fermented lupin meal. European sea bass juveniles, with an initial average weight: 18.9 g, were fed the experimental diets for 71 days in triplicate groups. Results indicated no adverse effects on key production indices when soybean meal was replaced partially or totally. Fermented lupin meal linearly improved feed utilization. Apparent digestibility coefficient of protein significantly increased in groups fed 12.5 % and 15 % fermented lupin, as did apparent digestibility coefficient of fat, compared to the FRL0 group. Trypsin activity in pyloric caeca was statistically elevated in the fermented lupin groups compare to FRL0 group. Whole-body composition, amino acid content, and deposition showed no significant differences among groups. Fermented lupin did not suppress the immune system, and a slight immunostimulatory effect was observed at a 12.5 % inclusion level. No histopathological alterations were detected. Overall, the results demonstrated the efficacy of solid-state fermentation process in enhancing lupin meal, highlighting its potential as a sustainable replacement for soybean meal in feed formulations for Mediterranean marine aquaculture species such us D. labrax.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Legumes contain antinutritional factors that restrict their use in fish nutrition, however, biotechnological methods such as solid-state fermentation can improve their nutritional profile, positioning them as a sustainable alternative for aquafeed formulation. This research evaluated the feasibility of replacing soybean meal with Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented lupin meal (Lupinus albus) in feed formulations for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Four diets were produced; one commercial type diet (FRL0) and three diets with partial (FRL10, FRL12.5) or complete (FRL15) replacement of soybean meal by fermented lupin meal. European sea bass juveniles, with an initial average weight: 18.9 g, were fed the experimental diets for 71 days in triplicate groups. Results indicated no adverse effects on key production indices when soybean meal was replaced partially or totally. Fermented lupin meal linearly improved feed utilization. Apparent digestibility coefficient of protein significantly increased in groups fed 12.5 % and 15 % fermented lupin, as did apparent digestibility coefficient of fat, compared to the FRL0 group. Trypsin activity in pyloric caeca was statistically elevated in the fermented lupin groups compare to FRL0 group. Whole-body composition, amino acid content, and deposition showed no significant differences among groups. Fermented lupin did not suppress the immune system, and a slight immunostimulatory effect was observed at a 12.5 % inclusion level. No histopathological alterations were detected. Overall, the results demonstrated the efficacy of solid-state fermentation process in enhancing lupin meal, highlighting its potential as a sustainable replacement for soybean meal in feed formulations for Mediterranean marine aquaculture species such us D. labrax.
Droubogiannis, Stavros; Triga, Andriana; Pavlidis, Michail; Katharios, Pantelis
Genome sequences of textitVibrio harveyi VH2 and textitVibrio harveyi Vhp1-sp Journal Article
In: Microbiology Resource Announcements, pp. e00087–25, 2025, ISSN: 2576-098X.
@article{droubogiannis_genome_2025,
title = {Genome sequences of textitVibrio harveyi VH2 and textitVibrio harveyi Vhp1-sp},
author = {Stavros Droubogiannis and Andriana Triga and Michail Pavlidis and Pantelis Katharios},
editor = {Frank J Stewart},
url = {https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mra.00087-25
/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Droubogiannis-MIcro-RA-33.pdf},
doi = {10.1128/mra.00087-25},
issn = {2576-098X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-30},
urldate = {2025-07-01},
journal = {Microbiology Resource Announcements},
pages = {e00087--25},
abstract = {ABSTRACT
Vibrio harveyi
is a major bacterial pathogen of marine aquatic animals causing significant economic losses in aquaculture. Here, we present the complete genomes of two pathogenic strains, VH2 (5.84 Mb, 44.99% GC) and Vhp1-sp (6.30 Mb, 44.98% GC), which encode numerous virulence factors, resistance genes, and genomic islands.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACT
Vibrio harveyi
is a major bacterial pathogen of marine aquatic animals causing significant economic losses in aquaculture. Here, we present the complete genomes of two pathogenic strains, VH2 (5.84 Mb, 44.99% GC) and Vhp1-sp (6.30 Mb, 44.98% GC), which encode numerous virulence factors, resistance genes, and genomic islands.
Vibrio harveyi
is a major bacterial pathogen of marine aquatic animals causing significant economic losses in aquaculture. Here, we present the complete genomes of two pathogenic strains, VH2 (5.84 Mb, 44.99% GC) and Vhp1-sp (6.30 Mb, 44.98% GC), which encode numerous virulence factors, resistance genes, and genomic islands.
Lancerotto, Stefano; Fakriadis, Ioannis; Papadaki, Maria; Sigelaki, Irini; Giménez, Ignacio; Genoves, Jose Vicente Roig; Meloni, Andrea; Mylonas, Constantinos C
In: Aquaculture, vol. 609, pp. 742795, 2025, ISSN: 00448486.
@article{lancerotto_administration_2025,
title = {Administration of single-chain recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (sdrFsh) and luteinizing hormone (sdrLh) stimulates spermatogenesis, but not vitellogenesis in pre-pubertal greater amberjack (\textit{Seriola dumerili})},
author = {Stefano Lancerotto and Ioannis Fakriadis and Maria Papadaki and Irini Sigelaki and Ignacio Giménez and Jose Vicente Roig Genoves and Andrea Meloni and Constantinos C Mylonas},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0044848625006817
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Lancerotto-AQUA-pre-print32.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742795},
issn = {00448486},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-24},
urldate = {2025-06-24},
journal = {Aquaculture},
volume = {609},
pages = {742795},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Keklikoglou, Kleoniki; Mandalakis, Manolis; Fanouraki, Eleftheria; Anastasiou, Thekla I; Kagiampaki, Eirini; Vasileiadou, Katerina; Pavloudi, Christina; Arvanitidis, Christos; Pavlidis, Michail
Disrupted darkness: the impact of anthropogenic light at night on melatonin secretion of Hermodice carunculata (Polychaeta, Annelida) Journal Article
In: Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 1031–1040, 2025, ISSN: 1474-905X, 1474-9092.
@article{keklikoglou_disrupted_2025,
title = {Disrupted darkness: the impact of anthropogenic light at night on melatonin secretion of \textit{Hermodice carunculata (Polychaeta, Annelida)}},
author = {Kleoniki Keklikoglou and Manolis Mandalakis and Eleftheria Fanouraki and Thekla I Anastasiou and Eirini Kagiampaki and Katerina Vasileiadou and Christina Pavloudi and Christos Arvanitidis and Michail Pavlidis},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43630-025-00744-5
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Keklikoglou-PP-Sci-31.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s43630-025-00744-5},
issn = {1474-905X, 1474-9092},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-20},
urldate = {2025-06-20},
journal = {Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences},
volume = {24},
number = {6},
pages = {1031--1040},
abstract = {Abstract
Anthropogenic light at night (ALAN) can have serious impacts on marine environments. Several studies have demonstrated that ALAN disrupts melatonin production, a hormone critical for regulating circadian rhythm. In this study, the effects of ALAN on melatonin and two of its related indolamines were investigated in the annelid
Hermodice carunculata
. Specifically, melatonin, serotonin and tryptamine levels were measured every three hours over a 24 h period in the heads of the annelids maintained under constant light and a 12 h light/12 h dark photoperiod, representing control conditions. Melatonin concentration was quantified using an enzyme immunoassay, while serotonin and tryptamine were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Melatonin levels in annelid heads remained relatively constant with a pronounced peak at 11:00. A similar pattern was observed under constant light, but the melatonin peak shifted to 14:00. However, serotonin and tryptamine did not exhibit any significant diurnal variations due to constant light exposure. These findings suggest that melatonin secretion in
H. carunculata
is sensitive to ALAN, whereas its related indolamines are potentially not. The disruption of
H. carunculata'
s melatonin secretion pattern may affect its night-time behavior and reproduction, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological effects of ALAN on various marine invertebrates.
Graphical abstract},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Anthropogenic light at night (ALAN) can have serious impacts on marine environments. Several studies have demonstrated that ALAN disrupts melatonin production, a hormone critical for regulating circadian rhythm. In this study, the effects of ALAN on melatonin and two of its related indolamines were investigated in the annelid
Hermodice carunculata
. Specifically, melatonin, serotonin and tryptamine levels were measured every three hours over a 24 h period in the heads of the annelids maintained under constant light and a 12 h light/12 h dark photoperiod, representing control conditions. Melatonin concentration was quantified using an enzyme immunoassay, while serotonin and tryptamine were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Melatonin levels in annelid heads remained relatively constant with a pronounced peak at 11:00. A similar pattern was observed under constant light, but the melatonin peak shifted to 14:00. However, serotonin and tryptamine did not exhibit any significant diurnal variations due to constant light exposure. These findings suggest that melatonin secretion in
H. carunculata
is sensitive to ALAN, whereas its related indolamines are potentially not. The disruption of
H. carunculata'
s melatonin secretion pattern may affect its night-time behavior and reproduction, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological effects of ALAN on various marine invertebrates.
Graphical abstract
Anthropogenic light at night (ALAN) can have serious impacts on marine environments. Several studies have demonstrated that ALAN disrupts melatonin production, a hormone critical for regulating circadian rhythm. In this study, the effects of ALAN on melatonin and two of its related indolamines were investigated in the annelid
Hermodice carunculata
. Specifically, melatonin, serotonin and tryptamine levels were measured every three hours over a 24 h period in the heads of the annelids maintained under constant light and a 12 h light/12 h dark photoperiod, representing control conditions. Melatonin concentration was quantified using an enzyme immunoassay, while serotonin and tryptamine were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Melatonin levels in annelid heads remained relatively constant with a pronounced peak at 11:00. A similar pattern was observed under constant light, but the melatonin peak shifted to 14:00. However, serotonin and tryptamine did not exhibit any significant diurnal variations due to constant light exposure. These findings suggest that melatonin secretion in
H. carunculata
is sensitive to ALAN, whereas its related indolamines are potentially not. The disruption of
H. carunculata'
s melatonin secretion pattern may affect its night-time behavior and reproduction, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological effects of ALAN on various marine invertebrates.
Graphical abstract
Oikonomou, Stavroula; Manousi, Domniki; Dimitroglou, Arkadios; Kazlari, Zoi; Loukovitis, Dimitrios; Papanna, Kantham; Tzokas, Konstantinos; Katribouzas, Nikos; Papaharisis, Leonidas; Tsigenopoulos, Costas S; Chatziplis, Dimitrios
Validation of QTL associated with resistance to Lernanthropus kroyeri in European seabass Journal Article
In: Aquaculture, vol. 608, pp. 742763, 2025, ISSN: 00448486.
@article{oikonomou_validation_2025,
title = {Validation of QTL associated with resistance to Lernanthropus kroyeri in European seabass},
author = {Stavroula Oikonomou and Domniki Manousi and Arkadios Dimitroglou and Zoi Kazlari and Dimitrios Loukovitis and Kantham Papanna and Konstantinos Tzokas and Nikos Katribouzas and Leonidas Papaharisis and Costas S Tsigenopoulos and Dimitrios Chatziplis},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0044848625006490
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Oikonomou-AQUA-30.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742763},
issn = {00448486},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-18},
urldate = {2025-06-18},
journal = {Aquaculture},
volume = {608},
pages = {742763},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Rizzo, Lucia; Fernández, Tomás Vega; Necci, Francesca; Grelaud, Michaël; Ziveri, Patrizia; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Rossi, Sergio
In: Mediterranean Marine Science, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 327–340, 2025, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X.
@article{rizzo_can_2025,
title = {Can Marine Animal Forests benefit from existing conservation measures? A systematic approach towards the identification of protected sessile benthic species in the Mediterranean Sea},
author = {Lucia Rizzo and Tomás Vega Fernández and Francesca Necci and Michaël Grelaud and Patrizia Ziveri and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Sergio Rossi},
url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/38550
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Rizzo-MMS-29.pdf},
doi = {10.12681/mms.38550},
issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-17},
urldate = {2025-06-17},
journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {327--340},
abstract = {Some marine benthic invertebrates increase the structural complexity of the seabed, thereby providing suitable habitats to several associated species, resulting in biodiversity hotspots. Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) encompass a set of the most important marine benthic habitats into which diversified sessile suspension feeders like sponges, corals, sea pens, tube worms, bivalves, bryozoans and ascidians occur. Such a mix of sessile species brings characteristic assemblages and supports important ecosystem functions. In the last decades, some species which form MAFs have been the object of international conventions, EU directives, and national policies aiming to address natural and human-induced disturbances. Effective conservation, monitoring, and restoration actions require summarizing the available information to include MAFs in conservation plans. In the present work, the main international policies for the protection of coastal and marine fauna were screened in order to provide a list of protected species which form Mediterranean MAFs. These international normative documents include the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Habitats (Bern Convention), the European Habitats Directive, and the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA/BD Protocol) of the Barcelona Convention. The analysis of the normative items revealed that 62 Mediterranean potential MAF forming species have been included in one or more legal annexes as protected species. These species belong to different phyla, including Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa and Mollusca. A wider view was proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), setting the bases of a legal acknowledgement of the MAFs as one of the largest biomes on Earth. This study represents a first step to obtain a baseline of MAF legal protection framework in order to support the further implementation of management measures aimed at increasing the effective protection of MAFs. Reporting the status of the Mediterranean MAF species that should be considered in management plans and conservation measures will be crucial for policymakers, as well as for mitigating current and future impacts on these distinctive marine environments.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Some marine benthic invertebrates increase the structural complexity of the seabed, thereby providing suitable habitats to several associated species, resulting in biodiversity hotspots. Marine Animal Forests (MAFs) encompass a set of the most important marine benthic habitats into which diversified sessile suspension feeders like sponges, corals, sea pens, tube worms, bivalves, bryozoans and ascidians occur. Such a mix of sessile species brings characteristic assemblages and supports important ecosystem functions. In the last decades, some species which form MAFs have been the object of international conventions, EU directives, and national policies aiming to address natural and human-induced disturbances. Effective conservation, monitoring, and restoration actions require summarizing the available information to include MAFs in conservation plans. In the present work, the main international policies for the protection of coastal and marine fauna were screened in order to provide a list of protected species which form Mediterranean MAFs. These international normative documents include the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Habitats (Bern Convention), the European Habitats Directive, and the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA/BD Protocol) of the Barcelona Convention. The analysis of the normative items revealed that 62 Mediterranean potential MAF forming species have been included in one or more legal annexes as protected species. These species belong to different phyla, including Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa and Mollusca. A wider view was proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), setting the bases of a legal acknowledgement of the MAFs as one of the largest biomes on Earth. This study represents a first step to obtain a baseline of MAF legal protection framework in order to support the further implementation of management measures aimed at increasing the effective protection of MAFs. Reporting the status of the Mediterranean MAF species that should be considered in management plans and conservation measures will be crucial for policymakers, as well as for mitigating current and future impacts on these distinctive marine environments.
Kouvara, Konstantina; Lazou-Laskaridis, Evi; Xirotagarou, Peggy; Christodoulou, Dimitris; Dimas, Xenophon; Geraga, Maria; Giovos, Ioannis; Charitou, Anastasia; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Galgani, Francois; Papatheodorou, George
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 217, pp. 118109, 2025, ISSN: 0025326X.
@article{kouvara_assessing_2025,
title = {Assessing marine litter and its ecological impact on the seafloor of Thermaikos Gulf (NE Mediterranean Sea, Greece): Insights from ROV and diver surveys},
author = {Konstantina Kouvara and Evi Lazou-Laskaridis and Peggy Xirotagarou and Dimitris Christodoulou and Xenophon Dimas and Maria Geraga and Ioannis Giovos and Anastasia Charitou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Francois Galgani and George Papatheodorou},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0025326X25005843
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Kouvara-MPB-nonOPEN-28.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118109},
issn = {0025326X},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-16},
urldate = {2025-06-16},
journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},
volume = {217},
pages = {118109},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Asimaki, Adamantia; Psofakis, Pier; Gkalogianni, Elli-Zafeiria; Katouni, Aikaterini-Maria; Berillis, Panagiotis; Kormas, Konstantinos A; Rumbos, Christos I; Athanassiou, Christos G; Vasilaki, Antigoni; Fountoulaki, Eleni; Henry, Morgane; Mente, Eleni; Gisbert, Enric; Karapanagiotidis, Ioannis T
In: Aquaculture Nutrition, vol. 2025, no. 1, pp. 8885509, 2025, ISSN: 1353-5773, 1365-2095.
@article{asimaki_effects_2025,
title = {The Effects of Dietary Fishmeal Substitution by Full‐Fat and Defatted textitZophobas morio Larvae Meals on Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (\textit{Sparus aurata}): An Integrative Approach},
author = {Adamantia Asimaki and Pier Psofakis and Elli-Zafeiria Gkalogianni and Aikaterini-Maria Katouni and Panagiotis Berillis and Konstantinos A Kormas and Christos I Rumbos and Christos G Athanassiou and Antigoni Vasilaki and Eleni Fountoulaki and Morgane Henry and Eleni Mente and Enric Gisbert and Ioannis T Karapanagiotidis},
editor = {Lee Seong Wei},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/anu/8885509
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Asimaki-Aq-Nutr-27.pdf},
doi = {10.1155/anu/8885509},
issn = {1353-5773, 1365-2095},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-10},
urldate = {2025-06-10},
journal = {Aquaculture Nutrition},
volume = {2025},
number = {1},
pages = {8885509},
abstract = {This study evaluated the dietary fishmeal substitution by full‐fat (FF) and defatted (DF)
Zophobas morio
meals regarding growth, feed efficiency, proximate and fatty acid compositions, digestive enzymes activities, histology and midgut microbiota in gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
). Juveniles initially weighing 3.4 g were distributed to triplicate groups and fed at satiation six isonitrogenous (8.41%) and isocaloric (21 Mj/kg) diets for 100 days. An insect meal‐free diet was the control (CTRL), two diets contained a FF
Z. morio
meal at 49 g/kg (FF‐49) and 97 g/kg (FF‐97), and three diets contained a DF
Z. morio
meal at 58 g/kg (DF‐58), 116 g/kg (DF‐116) and 174 g/kg (DF‐174) at the expense of fishmeal. Neither the form nor the inclusion level of
Z. morio
meals affected the feed intake of fish denoting a similar acceptability to that of fishmeal. Fish survival, growth and feed efficiency were not impaired by all dietary inclusion levels of
Z. morio
meals. Proximate composition of fish was altered but without indicating a clear correlation with the form or inclusion level of
Z. morio
. Increasing inclusions of both forms of
Z. morio
meals tended to decrease 22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3, 18:3n‐3 and 18:2n‐6 levels in fish tissues. All fish exhibited similar proteolytic enzyme activities, but the increasing inclusions of both insect meal forms led to gradual increases in the lipase and α‐amylase activities indicating a compensatory mechanism for lipid and carbohydrate digestion. The use of
Z. morio
meals led to some mild histomorphological changes in the intestine and liver that were more pronounced in fish fed the FF form at the highest inclusion level. Midgut bacterial communities of the groups were similar and dominated by potentially beneficial members of
Saccharimonadales
and
Rhodobacteraceae
, except FF‐97 fish that had high abundances of
Legionella
‐ and
Pandoraea
‐like bacteria. To conclude,
Z. morio
meal, either FF or DF, is a suitable insect protein for fishmeal substitution towards more sustainable aquafeeds for
S. aurata
.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study evaluated the dietary fishmeal substitution by full‐fat (FF) and defatted (DF)
Zophobas morio
meals regarding growth, feed efficiency, proximate and fatty acid compositions, digestive enzymes activities, histology and midgut microbiota in gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
). Juveniles initially weighing 3.4 g were distributed to triplicate groups and fed at satiation six isonitrogenous (8.41%) and isocaloric (21 Mj/kg) diets for 100 days. An insect meal‐free diet was the control (CTRL), two diets contained a FF
Z. morio
meal at 49 g/kg (FF‐49) and 97 g/kg (FF‐97), and three diets contained a DF
Z. morio
meal at 58 g/kg (DF‐58), 116 g/kg (DF‐116) and 174 g/kg (DF‐174) at the expense of fishmeal. Neither the form nor the inclusion level of
Z. morio
meals affected the feed intake of fish denoting a similar acceptability to that of fishmeal. Fish survival, growth and feed efficiency were not impaired by all dietary inclusion levels of
Z. morio
meals. Proximate composition of fish was altered but without indicating a clear correlation with the form or inclusion level of
Z. morio
. Increasing inclusions of both forms of
Z. morio
meals tended to decrease 22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3, 18:3n‐3 and 18:2n‐6 levels in fish tissues. All fish exhibited similar proteolytic enzyme activities, but the increasing inclusions of both insect meal forms led to gradual increases in the lipase and α‐amylase activities indicating a compensatory mechanism for lipid and carbohydrate digestion. The use of
Z. morio
meals led to some mild histomorphological changes in the intestine and liver that were more pronounced in fish fed the FF form at the highest inclusion level. Midgut bacterial communities of the groups were similar and dominated by potentially beneficial members of
Saccharimonadales
and
Rhodobacteraceae
, except FF‐97 fish that had high abundances of
Legionella
‐ and
Pandoraea
‐like bacteria. To conclude,
Z. morio
meal, either FF or DF, is a suitable insect protein for fishmeal substitution towards more sustainable aquafeeds for
S. aurata
.
Zophobas morio
meals regarding growth, feed efficiency, proximate and fatty acid compositions, digestive enzymes activities, histology and midgut microbiota in gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
). Juveniles initially weighing 3.4 g were distributed to triplicate groups and fed at satiation six isonitrogenous (8.41%) and isocaloric (21 Mj/kg) diets for 100 days. An insect meal‐free diet was the control (CTRL), two diets contained a FF
Z. morio
meal at 49 g/kg (FF‐49) and 97 g/kg (FF‐97), and three diets contained a DF
Z. morio
meal at 58 g/kg (DF‐58), 116 g/kg (DF‐116) and 174 g/kg (DF‐174) at the expense of fishmeal. Neither the form nor the inclusion level of
Z. morio
meals affected the feed intake of fish denoting a similar acceptability to that of fishmeal. Fish survival, growth and feed efficiency were not impaired by all dietary inclusion levels of
Z. morio
meals. Proximate composition of fish was altered but without indicating a clear correlation with the form or inclusion level of
Z. morio
. Increasing inclusions of both forms of
Z. morio
meals tended to decrease 22:6n‐3, 20:5n‐3, 18:3n‐3 and 18:2n‐6 levels in fish tissues. All fish exhibited similar proteolytic enzyme activities, but the increasing inclusions of both insect meal forms led to gradual increases in the lipase and α‐amylase activities indicating a compensatory mechanism for lipid and carbohydrate digestion. The use of
Z. morio
meals led to some mild histomorphological changes in the intestine and liver that were more pronounced in fish fed the FF form at the highest inclusion level. Midgut bacterial communities of the groups were similar and dominated by potentially beneficial members of
Saccharimonadales
and
Rhodobacteraceae
, except FF‐97 fish that had high abundances of
Legionella
‐ and
Pandoraea
‐like bacteria. To conclude,
Z. morio
meal, either FF or DF, is a suitable insect protein for fishmeal substitution towards more sustainable aquafeeds for
S. aurata
.
Okeleye, Oluwabusayo Israel; Majstorovic, Jovana; Sudharaka, Anupa; Triga, Adriana; Mandalakis, Manolis; Katharios, Pantelis; Mladineo, Ivona
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) blood cells are modulated by a parasitic antimicrobial peptide, A-2S and Edwardsiella spp. strains Journal Article
In: Fish & Shellfish Immunology, vol. 164, pp. 110427, 2025, ISSN: 10504648.
@article{okeleye_common_2025,
title = {Common carp (\textit{Cyprinus carpio}) blood cells are modulated by a parasitic antimicrobial peptide, A-2S and Edwardsiella spp. strains},
author = {Oluwabusayo Israel Okeleye and Jovana Majstorovic and Anupa Sudharaka and Adriana Triga and Manolis Mandalakis and Pantelis Katharios and Ivona Mladineo},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S105046482500316X
/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Busayo-FSI-26.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2025.110427},
issn = {10504648},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-06},
urldate = {2025-06-06},
journal = {Fish & Shellfish Immunology},
volume = {164},
pages = {110427},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Cascarano, Maria Chiara; Sevasti, Papadogiorgaki; Katharios, Pantelis
Ultrastructural Insights Into a textitCandidatus Parilichlamydia sp. Infection of Gill Goblet Cells in Greater Amberjack Journal Article
In: Journal of Fish Diseases, pp. e14146, 2025, ISSN: 0140-7775, 1365-2761.
@article{cascarano_ultrastructural_2025,
title = {Ultrastructural Insights Into a textitCandidatus Parilichlamydia sp. Infection of Gill Goblet Cells in Greater Amberjack},
author = {Maria Chiara Cascarano and Papadogiorgaki Sevasti and Pantelis Katharios},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfd.14146
/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Cascarano-JFD-25.pdf},
doi = {10.1111/jfd.14146},
issn = {0140-7775, 1365-2761},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-28},
urldate = {2025-05-28},
journal = {Journal of Fish Diseases},
pages = {e14146},
abstract = {ABSTRACT
Despite recent genomic studies and increased molecular data, epitheliocystis remains an enigmatic fish disease with no experimental in vitro or in vivo models to aid the advancement of research. In this study, we revert to a classical microscopical approach and screen with the electron microscope the epitheliocystis lesions caused by a
Ca
. Parilichlamydia sp., infecting mucus cells in Greater amberjack. We report distinct morphological features of this bacterial family, characterised by Intermediate Bodies that closely resemble those of previously described
Candidatus similchlamydia
, and Elementary Bodies that exhibit morphological similarities to
Chlamydia trachomatis
. We describe the characteristics of a novel Chlamydial Inclusion Membrane (IM) type, with abundant interdigitations, possibly shaped by fusion of the IM with cytoplasmic vesicles, and moreover discuss the presence of multivesicular bodies in the infected cell. Our observation of immune cells in the infected areas indicates an interaction of macrophages with infected cells, a role for granular cells as pathogens reservoirs and an active phagoptosis process in the nearby areas, overall shedding light on cellular immune processes characterising these infections in fish hosts.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
ABSTRACT
Despite recent genomic studies and increased molecular data, epitheliocystis remains an enigmatic fish disease with no experimental in vitro or in vivo models to aid the advancement of research. In this study, we revert to a classical microscopical approach and screen with the electron microscope the epitheliocystis lesions caused by a
Ca
. Parilichlamydia sp., infecting mucus cells in Greater amberjack. We report distinct morphological features of this bacterial family, characterised by Intermediate Bodies that closely resemble those of previously described
Candidatus similchlamydia
, and Elementary Bodies that exhibit morphological similarities to
Chlamydia trachomatis
. We describe the characteristics of a novel Chlamydial Inclusion Membrane (IM) type, with abundant interdigitations, possibly shaped by fusion of the IM with cytoplasmic vesicles, and moreover discuss the presence of multivesicular bodies in the infected cell. Our observation of immune cells in the infected areas indicates an interaction of macrophages with infected cells, a role for granular cells as pathogens reservoirs and an active phagoptosis process in the nearby areas, overall shedding light on cellular immune processes characterising these infections in fish hosts.
Despite recent genomic studies and increased molecular data, epitheliocystis remains an enigmatic fish disease with no experimental in vitro or in vivo models to aid the advancement of research. In this study, we revert to a classical microscopical approach and screen with the electron microscope the epitheliocystis lesions caused by a
Ca
. Parilichlamydia sp., infecting mucus cells in Greater amberjack. We report distinct morphological features of this bacterial family, characterised by Intermediate Bodies that closely resemble those of previously described
Candidatus similchlamydia
, and Elementary Bodies that exhibit morphological similarities to
Chlamydia trachomatis
. We describe the characteristics of a novel Chlamydial Inclusion Membrane (IM) type, with abundant interdigitations, possibly shaped by fusion of the IM with cytoplasmic vesicles, and moreover discuss the presence of multivesicular bodies in the infected cell. Our observation of immune cells in the infected areas indicates an interaction of macrophages with infected cells, a role for granular cells as pathogens reservoirs and an active phagoptosis process in the nearby areas, overall shedding light on cellular immune processes characterising these infections in fish hosts.
Siaperas, Romanos; Taxeidis, George; Gioti, Anastasia; Nikolaivits, Efstratios; Topakas, Evangelos
Multi-omics insights into the response of Aspergillus parasiticus to long-chain alkanes in relation to polyethylene modification Journal Article
In: Environmental Pollution, vol. 376, pp. 126386, 2025, ISSN: 02697491.
@article{siaperas_multi-omics_2025,
title = {Multi-omics insights into the response of Aspergillus parasiticus to long-chain alkanes in relation to polyethylene modification},
author = {Romanos Siaperas and George Taxeidis and Anastasia Gioti and Efstratios Nikolaivits and Evangelos Topakas},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0269749125007596
/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Siaperas-EnvPol-24.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126386},
issn = {02697491},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-22},
urldate = {2025-05-22},
journal = {Environmental Pollution},
volume = {376},
pages = {126386},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Díaz-Avello, Ulises G; Skouridou, Vasso; Shkembi, Xhensila; Reverté, Jaume; Mandalakis, Manolis; Peristeraki, Panagiota; Campàs, Mònica; O'Sullivan, Ciara K
Aptamer-antibody sandwich lateral flow test for rapid visual detection of tetrodotoxin in pufferfish Journal Article
In: Science of The Total Environment, vol. 978, pp. 179419, 2025, ISSN: 00489697.
@article{diaz-avello_aptamer-antibody_2025,
title = {Aptamer-antibody sandwich lateral flow test for rapid visual detection of tetrodotoxin in pufferfish},
author = {Ulises G Díaz-Avello and Vasso Skouridou and Xhensila Shkembi and Jaume Reverté and Manolis Mandalakis and Panagiota Peristeraki and Mònica Campàs and Ciara K O'Sullivan},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969725010563
/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Díaz-Avello-TTX_LFA-test-DRAFT-SUBMITTED-23.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179419},
issn = {00489697},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-20},
urldate = {2025-05-20},
journal = {Science of The Total Environment},
volume = {978},
pages = {179419},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Ventriglia, Gianluca; Duncan, Neil; Giménez, Ignacio; Mylonas, Constantinos C; Pousis, Chrysovalentinos; Corriero, Aldo; Zupa, Rosa
Spermatogenesis advancement in pre-pubertal meagre Argyrosomus regius treated with recombinant gonadotropins Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 15113, 2025, ISSN: 2045-2322.
@article{ventriglia_spermatogenesis_2025,
title = {Spermatogenesis advancement in pre-pubertal meagre Argyrosomus regius treated with recombinant gonadotropins},
author = {Gianluca Ventriglia and Neil Duncan and Ignacio Giménez and Constantinos C Mylonas and Chrysovalentinos Pousis and Aldo Corriero and Rosa Zupa},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-99372-3
/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Ventriglia-SciRep-22.pdf},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-99372-3},
issn = {2045-2322},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-13},
urldate = {2025-05-13},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {15113},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Papadaki, Maria; Le, Ngoc-Son; Mylonas, Constantinos C; Sarropoulou, Elena
In: Marine Biotechnology, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 74, 2025, ISSN: 1436-2228, 1436-2236.
@article{papadaki_exploring_2025,
title = {Exploring the Fanconi Anemia Gene Expression and Regulation by MicroRNAs in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) at Different Gonadal Development Stages},
author = {Maria Papadaki and Ngoc-Son Le and Constantinos C Mylonas and Elena Sarropoulou},
url = {https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10126-025-10444-x
/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Papadaki-MarBioteck-21.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s10126-025-10444-x},
issn = {1436-2228, 1436-2236},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-06},
urldate = {2025-05-06},
journal = {Marine Biotechnology},
volume = {27},
number = {2},
pages = {74},
abstract = {Abstract
Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disease in humans that is distributed worldwide. Fanconi anemia complementation (Fanc) proteins are essential for the appropriate functioning of the FA DNA repair pathway. They are also linked to a number of other biological processes, including oxygen metabolism, cell cycle regulation, haematopoiesis and apoptosis. So far, little research has been conducted on teleosts, but evidence shows that Fanc proteins play a significant role in immune response and sex reversal. For the examination of the expression of three
fanc
genes (
fancc
,
fancl,
and
fancd2
), as well as the potential regulation of these genes by microRNAs (miRNAs) in gonadal tissues at different stages of development, the present study has selected the gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
), a significant aquaculture species that exhibits protandrous hermaphroditism. The obtained data suggested the role of
fancl
and
fancd2
in the maturation of female gonads and the miRNAs miR-210, miR-217 and miR-10926 have been identified as putative regulators of
fancd2
,
fancc
and
fancl
, respectively. Overall, the data indicated the potential use of
fancl
and
fancd2
genes as sex biomarkers in conjunction with their respective regulation by miRNAs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the importance of
fanc
genes, along with putative regulatory miRNAs, in the reproduction of an important marine aquaculture species.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disease in humans that is distributed worldwide. Fanconi anemia complementation (Fanc) proteins are essential for the appropriate functioning of the FA DNA repair pathway. They are also linked to a number of other biological processes, including oxygen metabolism, cell cycle regulation, haematopoiesis and apoptosis. So far, little research has been conducted on teleosts, but evidence shows that Fanc proteins play a significant role in immune response and sex reversal. For the examination of the expression of three
fanc
genes (
fancc
,
fancl,
and
fancd2
), as well as the potential regulation of these genes by microRNAs (miRNAs) in gonadal tissues at different stages of development, the present study has selected the gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
), a significant aquaculture species that exhibits protandrous hermaphroditism. The obtained data suggested the role of
fancl
and
fancd2
in the maturation of female gonads and the miRNAs miR-210, miR-217 and miR-10926 have been identified as putative regulators of
fancd2
,
fancc
and
fancl
, respectively. Overall, the data indicated the potential use of
fancl
and
fancd2
genes as sex biomarkers in conjunction with their respective regulation by miRNAs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the importance of
fanc
genes, along with putative regulatory miRNAs, in the reproduction of an important marine aquaculture species.
Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disease in humans that is distributed worldwide. Fanconi anemia complementation (Fanc) proteins are essential for the appropriate functioning of the FA DNA repair pathway. They are also linked to a number of other biological processes, including oxygen metabolism, cell cycle regulation, haematopoiesis and apoptosis. So far, little research has been conducted on teleosts, but evidence shows that Fanc proteins play a significant role in immune response and sex reversal. For the examination of the expression of three
fanc
genes (
fancc
,
fancl,
and
fancd2
), as well as the potential regulation of these genes by microRNAs (miRNAs) in gonadal tissues at different stages of development, the present study has selected the gilthead seabream (
Sparus aurata
), a significant aquaculture species that exhibits protandrous hermaphroditism. The obtained data suggested the role of
fancl
and
fancd2
in the maturation of female gonads and the miRNAs miR-210, miR-217 and miR-10926 have been identified as putative regulators of
fancd2
,
fancc
and
fancl
, respectively. Overall, the data indicated the potential use of
fancl
and
fancd2
genes as sex biomarkers in conjunction with their respective regulation by miRNAs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the importance of
fanc
genes, along with putative regulatory miRNAs, in the reproduction of an important marine aquaculture species.
Thieme, Philipp; Fischbach, Vivian; Papadakis, Ioannis; Moritz, Timo
Development of convergent adaptations reveal highly conserved early ontogenetic skull shape in fishes with amphibious vision Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 8411, 2025, ISSN: 2045-2322.
@article{thieme_development_2025,
title = {Development of convergent adaptations reveal highly conserved early ontogenetic skull shape in fishes with amphibious vision},
author = {Philipp Thieme and Vivian Fischbach and Ioannis Papadakis and Timo Moritz},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-91563-2
/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Thieme-SR-20.pdf},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-91563-2},
issn = {2045-2322},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-28},
urldate = {2025-04-28},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {8411},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Kapelonis, Zacharias; Chatzigeorgiou, Georgios; Ntoumas, Manolis; Grigoriou, Panos; Pettas, Manos; Michelinakis, Spyros; Correia, Ricardo; Lemos, Catarina Rasquilha; Pinheiro, Luis Menezes; Lomba, Caio; Fortuna, João; Loureiro, Rui; Santos, André; Chatzinikolaou, Eva
Flying Robots Teach Floating Robots—A Machine Learning Approach for Marine Habitat Mapping Based on Combined Datasets Journal Article
In: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 611, 2025, ISSN: 2077-1312.
@article{kapelonis_flying_2025,
title = {Flying Robots Teach Floating Robots—A Machine Learning Approach for Marine Habitat Mapping Based on Combined Datasets},
author = {Zacharias Kapelonis and Georgios Chatzigeorgiou and Manolis Ntoumas and Panos Grigoriou and Manos Pettas and Spyros Michelinakis and Ricardo Correia and Catarina Rasquilha Lemos and Luis Menezes Pinheiro and Caio Lomba and João Fortuna and Rui Loureiro and André Santos and Eva Chatzinikolaou},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/3/611
/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Kapelonis-Mar-Sci-Eng-19.pdf},
doi = {10.3390/jmse13030611},
issn = {2077-1312},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-11},
urldate = {2025-04-11},
journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering},
volume = {13},
number = {3},
pages = {611},
abstract = {Unmanned aerial and autonomous surface vehicles (UAVs and ASVs, respectively) are two emerging technologies for the mapping of coastal and marine environments. Using UAV photogrammetry, the sea-bottom composition can be resolved with very high fidelity in shallow waters. At greater depths, acoustic methodologies have far better propagation properties compared to optics; therefore, ASVs equipped with multibeam echosounders (MBES) are better-suited for mapping applications in deeper waters. In this work, a sea-bottom classification methodology is presented for mapping the protected habitat of Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (habitat code 1120) in a coastal subregion of Heraklion (Crete, Greece). The methodology implements a machine learning scheme, where knowledge obtained from UAV imagery is embedded (through training) into a classifier that utilizes acoustic backscatter intensity and features derived from the MBES data provided by an ASV. Accuracy and precision scores of greater than 85% compared with visual census ground-truth data for both optical and acoustic classifiers indicate that this hybrid mapping approach is promising to mitigate the depth-induced bias in UAV-only models. The latter is especially interesting in cases where the studied habitat boundaries extend beyond depths that can be studied via aerial devices’ optics, as is the case with P. oceanica meadows.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Unmanned aerial and autonomous surface vehicles (UAVs and ASVs, respectively) are two emerging technologies for the mapping of coastal and marine environments. Using UAV photogrammetry, the sea-bottom composition can be resolved with very high fidelity in shallow waters. At greater depths, acoustic methodologies have far better propagation properties compared to optics; therefore, ASVs equipped with multibeam echosounders (MBES) are better-suited for mapping applications in deeper waters. In this work, a sea-bottom classification methodology is presented for mapping the protected habitat of Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (habitat code 1120) in a coastal subregion of Heraklion (Crete, Greece). The methodology implements a machine learning scheme, where knowledge obtained from UAV imagery is embedded (through training) into a classifier that utilizes acoustic backscatter intensity and features derived from the MBES data provided by an ASV. Accuracy and precision scores of greater than 85% compared with visual census ground-truth data for both optical and acoustic classifiers indicate that this hybrid mapping approach is promising to mitigate the depth-induced bias in UAV-only models. The latter is especially interesting in cases where the studied habitat boundaries extend beyond depths that can be studied via aerial devices’ optics, as is the case with P. oceanica meadows.
Mukiibi, Robert; Ferraresso, Serena; Franch, Rafaella; Peruzza, Luca; Rovere, Giulia Dalla; Babbucci, Massimiliano; Bertotto, Daniela; Toffan, Anna; Pascoli, Francesco; Faggion, Sara; Peñaloza, Carolina; Tsigenopoulos, Costas S; Houston, Ross D; Bargelloni, Luca; Robledo, Diego
Integrated functional genomic analysis identifies regulatory variants underlying a major QTL for disease resistance in European sea bass Journal Article
In: BMC Biology, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 75, 2025, ISSN: 1741-7007.
@article{mukiibi_integrated_2025,
title = {Integrated functional genomic analysis identifies regulatory variants underlying a major QTL for disease resistance in European sea bass},
author = {Robert Mukiibi and Serena Ferraresso and Rafaella Franch and Luca Peruzza and Giulia Dalla Rovere and Massimiliano Babbucci and Daniela Bertotto and Anna Toffan and Francesco Pascoli and Sara Faggion and Carolina Peñaloza and Costas S Tsigenopoulos and Ross D Houston and Luca Bargelloni and Diego Robledo},
url = {https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-025-02180-4
/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Mukiibi-BMC-Biology-18.pdf},
doi = {10.1186/s12915-025-02180-4},
issn = {1741-7007},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-07},
urldate = {2025-04-07},
journal = {BMC Biology},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {75},
abstract = {Abstract
Background
Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an important viral disease threatening global aquaculture sustainability and affecting over 50 farmed and ecologically important fish species. A major QTL for resistance to VNN has been previously detected in European sea bass, but the underlying causal gene(s) and mutation(s) remain unknown. To identify the mechanisms and genetic factors underpinning resistance to VNN in European sea bass, we employed integrative analyses of multiple functional genomics assays in European sea bass.
Results
The estimated heritability of VNN resistance was high (
h
2
textasciitilde 0.40), and a major QTL explaining up to 38% of the genetic variance of the trait was confirmed on chromosome 3, with individuals with the resistant QTL genotype showing a 90% survivability against a VNN outbreak. Whole-genome resequencing analyses narrowed the location of this QTL to a small region containing 4 copies of interferon alpha inducible protein 27-like 2A (
IFI27L2A
) genes, and one copy of the interferon alpha inducible protein 27-like 2 (
IFI27L2
) gene. RNA sequencing revealed a clear association between the QTL genotype and the expression of two of the
IFI27L2A
genes, and the
IFI27L2
gene. Integration with chromatin accessibility and histone modification data pinpointed two SNPs in active regulatory regions of two of these genes (
IFI27L2A
and
IFI27L2
), and transcription factor binding site gains for the resistant alleles were predicted. These alleles, particularly the SNP variant CHR3:10,077,301, exhibited higher frequencies (0.55 to 0.77) in Eastern Mediterranean Sea bass populations, which show considerably higher levels of resistance to VNN, as compared to susceptible West Mediterranean and Atlantic populations (0.15–0.25).
Conclusions
The SNP variant CHR3:10,077,301, through modulation of
IFI27L2
and
IFI27L2A
genes, is likely the causative mutation underlying resistance to VNN in European sea bass. This is one of the first causative mutations discovered for disease resistance traits in fish and paves the way for marker-assisted selection as well as biotechnological approaches to enhance resistance to VNN in European sea bass and other susceptible species.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract
Background
Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an important viral disease threatening global aquaculture sustainability and affecting over 50 farmed and ecologically important fish species. A major QTL for resistance to VNN has been previously detected in European sea bass, but the underlying causal gene(s) and mutation(s) remain unknown. To identify the mechanisms and genetic factors underpinning resistance to VNN in European sea bass, we employed integrative analyses of multiple functional genomics assays in European sea bass.
Results
The estimated heritability of VNN resistance was high (
h
2
textasciitilde 0.40), and a major QTL explaining up to 38% of the genetic variance of the trait was confirmed on chromosome 3, with individuals with the resistant QTL genotype showing a 90% survivability against a VNN outbreak. Whole-genome resequencing analyses narrowed the location of this QTL to a small region containing 4 copies of interferon alpha inducible protein 27-like 2A (
IFI27L2A
) genes, and one copy of the interferon alpha inducible protein 27-like 2 (
IFI27L2
) gene. RNA sequencing revealed a clear association between the QTL genotype and the expression of two of the
IFI27L2A
genes, and the
IFI27L2
gene. Integration with chromatin accessibility and histone modification data pinpointed two SNPs in active regulatory regions of two of these genes (
IFI27L2A
and
IFI27L2
), and transcription factor binding site gains for the resistant alleles were predicted. These alleles, particularly the SNP variant CHR3:10,077,301, exhibited higher frequencies (0.55 to 0.77) in Eastern Mediterranean Sea bass populations, which show considerably higher levels of resistance to VNN, as compared to susceptible West Mediterranean and Atlantic populations (0.15–0.25).
Conclusions
The SNP variant CHR3:10,077,301, through modulation of
IFI27L2
and
IFI27L2A
genes, is likely the causative mutation underlying resistance to VNN in European sea bass. This is one of the first causative mutations discovered for disease resistance traits in fish and paves the way for marker-assisted selection as well as biotechnological approaches to enhance resistance to VNN in European sea bass and other susceptible species.
Background
Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an important viral disease threatening global aquaculture sustainability and affecting over 50 farmed and ecologically important fish species. A major QTL for resistance to VNN has been previously detected in European sea bass, but the underlying causal gene(s) and mutation(s) remain unknown. To identify the mechanisms and genetic factors underpinning resistance to VNN in European sea bass, we employed integrative analyses of multiple functional genomics assays in European sea bass.
Results
The estimated heritability of VNN resistance was high (
h
2
textasciitilde 0.40), and a major QTL explaining up to 38% of the genetic variance of the trait was confirmed on chromosome 3, with individuals with the resistant QTL genotype showing a 90% survivability against a VNN outbreak. Whole-genome resequencing analyses narrowed the location of this QTL to a small region containing 4 copies of interferon alpha inducible protein 27-like 2A (
IFI27L2A
) genes, and one copy of the interferon alpha inducible protein 27-like 2 (
IFI27L2
) gene. RNA sequencing revealed a clear association between the QTL genotype and the expression of two of the
IFI27L2A
genes, and the
IFI27L2
gene. Integration with chromatin accessibility and histone modification data pinpointed two SNPs in active regulatory regions of two of these genes (
IFI27L2A
and
IFI27L2
), and transcription factor binding site gains for the resistant alleles were predicted. These alleles, particularly the SNP variant CHR3:10,077,301, exhibited higher frequencies (0.55 to 0.77) in Eastern Mediterranean Sea bass populations, which show considerably higher levels of resistance to VNN, as compared to susceptible West Mediterranean and Atlantic populations (0.15–0.25).
Conclusions
The SNP variant CHR3:10,077,301, through modulation of
IFI27L2
and
IFI27L2A
genes, is likely the causative mutation underlying resistance to VNN in European sea bass. This is one of the first causative mutations discovered for disease resistance traits in fish and paves the way for marker-assisted selection as well as biotechnological approaches to enhance resistance to VNN in European sea bass and other susceptible species.
Wei, Xiao-Lei; Hao, Zhi-Wei; Kotzamanis, Yannis P; Zhang, Tian-Hua; Liu, Zhi-Bo; Yang, Hong; Luo, Zhi
In: Aquaculture Reports, vol. 42, pp. 102739, 2025, ISSN: 23525134.
@article{wei_dietary_2025,
title = {Dietary iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles modulate growth performance, body composition, mineral content and intestinal health of yellow catfish juveniles (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)},
author = {Xiao-Lei Wei and Zhi-Wei Hao and Yannis P Kotzamanis and Tian-Hua Zhang and Zhi-Bo Liu and Hong Yang and Zhi Luo},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352513425001255
/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Wei-AquaReports-16.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102739},
issn = {23525134},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-03-31},
urldate = {2025-03-31},
journal = {Aquaculture Reports},
volume = {42},
pages = {102739},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}