2024 |
Digenis, Markos; Akyol, Okan; Benoit, Laure; Biel-Cabanelas, Marina; Çamlik, Öznur Yazilan; Charalampous, Konstantinos; Chatzispyrou, Archontia; Crocetta, Fabio; Deval, Mehmet Cengiz; Capua, Iole Di; Domenichetti, Filippo; Đorđević, Nikola; Ferruzzi, Silvio; Galiya, Mohamad Younis; Gammoudi, Mehrez; García-Charton, José Antonio; Grech, Daniele; Hoffman, Razy; Langeneck, Joachim; Martinelli, Michela; Mastrototaro, Francesco; Mavrič, Borut; Navarro-Barranco, Carlos; Okudan, Emine Sukran; Orenes-Salazar, Víctor; Orlando-Bonaca, Martina; Othman, Ranim Mohamad; Petović, Slavica; Putignano, Matteo; P., Julien Renoult; Ruíz, Juan Manuel; Muriel, Andreu Santín; Taşkin, Ergün; Tiralongo, Francesco; Tosunoğlu, Zafer; Tuney, Inci; Tursi, Andrea; Vannini, Jessica; Zacchetti, Lorenzo; Zamuda, Leon Lojze; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis New records of rarely reported species in the Mediterranean Sea (March 2024) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 25 (1), pp. 84–115, 2024, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{digenis_new_2024, title = {New records of rarely reported species in the Mediterranean Sea (March 2024)}, author = {Markos Digenis and Okan Akyol and Laure Benoit and Marina Biel-Cabanelas and Öznur Yazilan Çamlik and Konstantinos Charalampous and Archontia Chatzispyrou and Fabio Crocetta and Mehmet Cengiz Deval and Iole Di Capua and Filippo Domenichetti and Nikola Đorđević and Silvio Ferruzzi and Mohamad Younis Galiya and Mehrez Gammoudi and José Antonio García-Charton and Daniele Grech and Razy Hoffman and Joachim Langeneck and Michela Martinelli and Francesco Mastrototaro and Borut Mavrič and Carlos Navarro-Barranco and Emine Sukran Okudan and Víctor Orenes-Salazar and Martina Orlando-Bonaca and Ranim Mohamad Othman and Slavica Petović and Matteo Putignano and Julien Renoult P. and Juan Manuel Ruíz and Andreu Santín Muriel and Ergün Taşkin and Francesco Tiralongo and Zafer Tosunoğlu and Inci Tuney and Andrea Tursi and Jessica Vannini and Lorenzo Zacchetti and Leon Lojze Zamuda and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-Digenis-MMS-21.pdf https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/37214}, doi = {10.12681/mms.37214}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2024}, date = {2024-04-15}, urldate = {2024-04-15}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {25}, number = {1}, pages = {84--115}, abstract = {This Collective Article presents information about 30 species with records in eight countries (Greece, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Syria and Türkiye) and six ecoregions extending from the Alboran to the Levantine Seas. The recorded species belong to eight Phyla (4 Chlorophyta, 1 Rhodophyta, 1 Porifera, 3 Cnidaria, 2 Platyhelminthes, 2 Arthropoda, 2 Mollusca and 15 Chordata) as follows: Chlorophyta: Didymosporangium repens, Ochlochaete hystrix and Phaeophila hirsuta are reported for the first time from the Aegean coasts of Türkiye and Penicillus capitatus is firstly recorded in Slovenian coastal waters; Rhodophyta: Ptilophora dentata is recorded for the first time in Turkish coasts, from the entrance of a marine cave; Porifera: Tethya meloni is reported from Montenegrin waters; Cnidaria: Savalia savaglia and Dendrophyllia ramea are firstly observed north of the Almeria-Oran front in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula, while Spinimuricea cf. atlantica is firstly recorded in the Gulf of Lion constituting the easternmost record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea; Platyhelminthes: the polyclad flatworms Thysanozoon brocchii and Planocera graffi are reported for the first time from Greek waters, observed inside marine caves; Mollusca: Ascobulla fragilis is firstly reported from the Eastern Levantine Sea while the blanket octopus Tremoctopus violaceus is recorded in Izmir Bay constituting its fifth sighting in the Aegean Sea after a quarter of a century; Arthropoda: the copepod Ditrychocorycaeus africanus is firstly recorded in the Ionian Sea while the tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor is detected further north in the Tyrrhenian Sea; Chordata: the bothid flounder Arnoglossus grohmanni is firstly reported in Spain while specimens of the rare bythitid Bellottia apoda are presented for the Adriatic Sea; the chondrichthyans Chimaera monstrosa, Dalatias licha, Heptranchias perlo, Leucoraja circularis, Mustelus mustelus, Oxynotus centrina, Squatina aculeata and Torpedo marmorata are presented as collected within 13 continuous years in the bathyal zone of the Antalya Bay; the speleophilic fish Grammonus ater is firstly recorded in the Alboran Sea, observed in a marine cave; the critically endangered sandy ray Leucoraja circularis is reported from the eastern Ionian Sea; the crested oarfish Lophotus lacepede is reported for the first time from Sardinia, based on evidence dating back 20 years; the white trevally Pseudocaranx dentex is firstly recorded in Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea, Italy) while the phaeton dragonet Synchiropus phaeton and the gobid Zebrus pallaoroi are firstly reported from Syrian and Italian waters, respectively.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This Collective Article presents information about 30 species with records in eight countries (Greece, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Syria and Türkiye) and six ecoregions extending from the Alboran to the Levantine Seas. The recorded species belong to eight Phyla (4 Chlorophyta, 1 Rhodophyta, 1 Porifera, 3 Cnidaria, 2 Platyhelminthes, 2 Arthropoda, 2 Mollusca and 15 Chordata) as follows: Chlorophyta: Didymosporangium repens, Ochlochaete hystrix and Phaeophila hirsuta are reported for the first time from the Aegean coasts of Türkiye and Penicillus capitatus is firstly recorded in Slovenian coastal waters; Rhodophyta: Ptilophora dentata is recorded for the first time in Turkish coasts, from the entrance of a marine cave; Porifera: Tethya meloni is reported from Montenegrin waters; Cnidaria: Savalia savaglia and Dendrophyllia ramea are firstly observed north of the Almeria-Oran front in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula, while Spinimuricea cf. atlantica is firstly recorded in the Gulf of Lion constituting the easternmost record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea; Platyhelminthes: the polyclad flatworms Thysanozoon brocchii and Planocera graffi are reported for the first time from Greek waters, observed inside marine caves; Mollusca: Ascobulla fragilis is firstly reported from the Eastern Levantine Sea while the blanket octopus Tremoctopus violaceus is recorded in Izmir Bay constituting its fifth sighting in the Aegean Sea after a quarter of a century; Arthropoda: the copepod Ditrychocorycaeus africanus is firstly recorded in the Ionian Sea while the tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor is detected further north in the Tyrrhenian Sea; Chordata: the bothid flounder Arnoglossus grohmanni is firstly reported in Spain while specimens of the rare bythitid Bellottia apoda are presented for the Adriatic Sea; the chondrichthyans Chimaera monstrosa, Dalatias licha, Heptranchias perlo, Leucoraja circularis, Mustelus mustelus, Oxynotus centrina, Squatina aculeata and Torpedo marmorata are presented as collected within 13 continuous years in the bathyal zone of the Antalya Bay; the speleophilic fish Grammonus ater is firstly recorded in the Alboran Sea, observed in a marine cave; the critically endangered sandy ray Leucoraja circularis is reported from the eastern Ionian Sea; the crested oarfish Lophotus lacepede is reported for the first time from Sardinia, based on evidence dating back 20 years; the white trevally Pseudocaranx dentex is firstly recorded in Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea, Italy) while the phaeton dragonet Synchiropus phaeton and the gobid Zebrus pallaoroi are firstly reported from Syrian and Italian waters, respectively. |
Nicolosi, Giuseppe; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Towards invasion ecology for subterranean ecosystems Journal Article Biodiversity and Conservation, 33 (4), pp. 1561–1569, 2024, ISSN: 0960-3115, 1572-9710. @article{nicolosi_towards_2024, title = {Towards invasion ecology for subterranean ecosystems}, author = {Giuseppe Nicolosi and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-Nicolosi-BioDIv-Cons-18.pdf https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10531-024-02820-1}, doi = {10.1007/s10531-024-02820-1}, issn = {0960-3115, 1572-9710}, year = {2024}, date = {2024-04-05}, urldate = {2024-04-05}, journal = {Biodiversity and Conservation}, volume = {33}, number = {4}, pages = {1561--1569}, abstract = {Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are widely recognized as a major threat to ecosystems globally. Despite the growing interest and research effort on biological invasions, the impact of IAS on both terrestrial and aquatic subterranean habitats remains considerably under-studied in comparison to other environments. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has established global targets to mitigate the impacts of IAS, emphasizing the need for countries, organizations, and the scientific community to identify gaps in knowledge, monitoring, and management strategies for IAS. To this end, we mapped knowledge gaps in biological invasions of subterranean habitats that emerged from the first systematic surveys of the available information. We suggest that there are five main gaps restricting our ability to understand and tackle biological invasions in subterranean ecosystems. Given the vulnerability of subterranean ecosystems and the lack of attention they have received in conservation policies, it is crucial to increase research emphasis on IAS. This opinion paper aims to stimulate such efforts and contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) are widely recognized as a major threat to ecosystems globally. Despite the growing interest and research effort on biological invasions, the impact of IAS on both terrestrial and aquatic subterranean habitats remains considerably under-studied in comparison to other environments. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has established global targets to mitigate the impacts of IAS, emphasizing the need for countries, organizations, and the scientific community to identify gaps in knowledge, monitoring, and management strategies for IAS. To this end, we mapped knowledge gaps in biological invasions of subterranean habitats that emerged from the first systematic surveys of the available information. We suggest that there are five main gaps restricting our ability to understand and tackle biological invasions in subterranean ecosystems. Given the vulnerability of subterranean ecosystems and the lack of attention they have received in conservation policies, it is crucial to increase research emphasis on IAS. This opinion paper aims to stimulate such efforts and contribute to the preservation of these ecosystems. |
2023 |
Guerra-García, José Manuel; Revanales, Triana; Saenz-Arias, Pablo; Navarro-Barranco, Carlos; Ruiz-Velasco, Sofía; Pastor-Montero, María; Sempere-Valverde, Juan; Chebaane, Sahar; Vélez-Ruiz, Alberto; Martínez-Laiz, Gemma; Santos-Simón, Mar; Ferrario, Jasmine; Marchini, Agnese; Nour, Ola Mohamed; Gouillieux, Benoit; Hosie, Andrew Mark; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Carvalho, Susana; Balistreri, Paolo; Sirchia, Benedetto; Ruvolo, Vincenzo; Mancini, Emanuele; Bonifazi, Andrea; Tempesti, Jonathan; Tiralongo, Francesco; Ignoto, Sara; Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria; Vázquez-Luis, Maite; Cabezas, María Del Pilar; Ros, Macarena Quick spreading of the exotic amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934): another small stowaway overlooked? Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 24 (3), pp. 644–655, 2023, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{guerra-garcia_quick_2023, title = {Quick spreading of the exotic amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934): another small stowaway overlooked?}, author = {José Manuel Guerra-García and Triana Revanales and Pablo Saenz-Arias and Carlos Navarro-Barranco and Sofía Ruiz-Velasco and María Pastor-Montero and Juan Sempere-Valverde and Sahar Chebaane and Alberto Vélez-Ruiz and Gemma Martínez-Laiz and Mar Santos-Simón and Jasmine Ferrario and Agnese Marchini and Ola Mohamed Nour and Benoit Gouillieux and Andrew Mark Hosie and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Susana Carvalho and Paolo Balistreri and Benedetto Sirchia and Vincenzo Ruvolo and Emanuele Mancini and Andrea Bonifazi and Jonathan Tempesti and Francesco Tiralongo and Sara Ignoto and Victoria Fernandez-Gonzalez and Maite Vázquez-Luis and María Del Pilar Cabezas and Macarena Ros}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023-Guerra-García-MMS-66-1.pdf https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/35817}, doi = {10.12681/mms.35817}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-12-22}, urldate = {2024-01-11}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {24}, number = {3}, pages = {644--655}, abstract = {Studies of non-indigenous species (NIS) often tend to focus on medium and large-sized taxa with potential for remarkable ecological and/or economic impact, whereas the early detection of small invertebrates is often delayed due to taxonomic challenge, lack of consistent, standardised monitoring efforts and limited funding. This study represents the first records of the marine amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934) in Morocco, Tunisia, Corsica (France), Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and New Caledonia (France). Furthermore, it reports an expansion of its known distribution in Portugal (earliest and northernmost record for the country and first record for Macaronesia), Spain (earliest record for Atlantic and Mediterranean European waters), and Australia (first record for Indian Ocean). Recreational boating and commercial shipping, mainly through hull fouling and secondarily ballast waters, are proposed as vectors for introduction and secondary spread of L. baconi. The following traits, analysed during the present study, could contribute to its invasive potential: (i) quick and extensive spread of the species worldwide, (ii) high densities in marinas, harbours, hull fouling and other artificial habitats, including aquaculture facilities and floating debris, (iii) high ability for short-term colonisation of empty artificial niches, (iv) diet based on detritus suggesting an opportunistic feeding behaviour, and (v) population survival during seasonal fluctuations in different regions. Taxonomic expertise and scientific collaboration, based on multidisciplinary networks of experts, are crucial for the early detection, distribution updates, and risk assessment of small and overlooked stowaways in marine environments.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Studies of non-indigenous species (NIS) often tend to focus on medium and large-sized taxa with potential for remarkable ecological and/or economic impact, whereas the early detection of small invertebrates is often delayed due to taxonomic challenge, lack of consistent, standardised monitoring efforts and limited funding. This study represents the first records of the marine amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934) in Morocco, Tunisia, Corsica (France), Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and New Caledonia (France). Furthermore, it reports an expansion of its known distribution in Portugal (earliest and northernmost record for the country and first record for Macaronesia), Spain (earliest record for Atlantic and Mediterranean European waters), and Australia (first record for Indian Ocean). Recreational boating and commercial shipping, mainly through hull fouling and secondarily ballast waters, are proposed as vectors for introduction and secondary spread of L. baconi. The following traits, analysed during the present study, could contribute to its invasive potential: (i) quick and extensive spread of the species worldwide, (ii) high densities in marinas, harbours, hull fouling and other artificial habitats, including aquaculture facilities and floating debris, (iii) high ability for short-term colonisation of empty artificial niches, (iv) diet based on detritus suggesting an opportunistic feeding behaviour, and (v) population survival during seasonal fluctuations in different regions. Taxonomic expertise and scientific collaboration, based on multidisciplinary networks of experts, are crucial for the early detection, distribution updates, and risk assessment of small and overlooked stowaways in marine environments. |
Saccò, Mattia; Mammola, Stefano; Altermatt, Florian; Alther, Roman; Bolpagni, Rossano; Brancelj, Anton; Brankovits, David; Fišer, Cene; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Griebler, Christian; Guareschi, Simone; Hose, Grant C; Korbel, Kathryn; Lictevout, Elisabeth; Malard, Florian; Martínez, Alejandro; Niemiller, Matthew L; Robertson, Anne; Tanalgo, Krizler C; Bichuette, Maria Elina; Borko, Špela; Brad, Traian; Campbell, Matthew A; Cardoso, Pedro; Celico, Fulvio; Cooper, Steven J B; Culver, David; Di Lorenzo, Tiziana; Galassi, Diana M P; Guzik, Michelle T; Hartland, Adam; Humphreys, William F; Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes; Lunghi, Enrico; Nizzoli, Daniele; Perina, Giulia; Raghavan, Rajeev; Richards, Zoe; Reboleira, Ana Sofia P S; Rohde, Melissa M; Fernández, David Sánchez; Schmidt, Susanne I; Heyde, Mieke Van Der; Weaver, Louise; White, Nicole E; Zagmajster, Maja; Hogg, Ian; Ruhi, Albert; Gagnon, Marthe M; Allentoft, Morten E; Reinecke, Robert Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystem Journal Article Global Change Biology, 30 (1), pp. e17066, 2023, ISSN: 1354-1013, 1365-2486. @article{sacco_groundwater_2024, title = {Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystem}, author = {Mattia Saccò and Stefano Mammola and Florian Altermatt and Roman Alther and Rossano Bolpagni and Anton Brancelj and David Brankovits and Cene Fišer and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Christian Griebler and Simone Guareschi and Grant C Hose and Kathryn Korbel and Elisabeth Lictevout and Florian Malard and Alejandro Martínez and Matthew L Niemiller and Anne Robertson and Krizler C Tanalgo and Maria Elina Bichuette and Špela Borko and Traian Brad and Matthew A Campbell and Pedro Cardoso and Fulvio Celico and Steven J B Cooper and David Culver and Tiziana Di Lorenzo and Diana M P Galassi and Michelle T Guzik and Adam Hartland and William F Humphreys and Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira and Enrico Lunghi and Daniele Nizzoli and Giulia Perina and Rajeev Raghavan and Zoe Richards and Ana Sofia P S Reboleira and Melissa M Rohde and David Sánchez Fernández and Susanne I Schmidt and Mieke Van Der Heyde and Louise Weaver and Nicole E White and Maja Zagmajster and Ian Hogg and Albert Ruhi and Marthe M Gagnon and Morten E Allentoft and Robert Reinecke}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023-Saccò-Global-Change-Biology-64.pdf https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.17066}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.17066}, issn = {1354-1013, 1365-2486}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-12-18}, urldate = {2024-01-09}, journal = {Global Change Biology}, volume = {30}, number = {1}, pages = {e17066}, abstract = {Abstract Groundwater is a vital ecosystem of the global water cycle, hosting unique biodiversity and providing essential services to societies. Despite being the largest unfrozen freshwater resource, in a period of depletion by extraction and pollution, groundwater environments have been repeatedly overlooked in global biodiversity conservation agendas. Disregarding the importance of groundwater as an ecosystem ignores its critical role in preserving surface biomes. To foster timely global conservation of groundwater, we propose elevating the concept of keystone species into the realm of ecosystems, claiming groundwater as a keystone ecosystem that influences the integrity of many dependent ecosystems. Our global analysis shows that over half of land surface areas (52.6%) has a medium‐to‐high interaction with groundwater, reaching up to 74.9% when deserts and high mountains are excluded. We postulate that the intrinsic transboundary features of groundwater are critical for shifting perspectives towards more holistic approaches in aquatic ecology and beyond. Furthermore, we propose eight key themes to develop a science‐policy integrated groundwater conservation agenda. Given ecosystems above and below the ground intersect at many levels, considering groundwater as an essential component of planetary health is pivotal to reduce biodiversity loss and buffer against climate change.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Abstract Groundwater is a vital ecosystem of the global water cycle, hosting unique biodiversity and providing essential services to societies. Despite being the largest unfrozen freshwater resource, in a period of depletion by extraction and pollution, groundwater environments have been repeatedly overlooked in global biodiversity conservation agendas. Disregarding the importance of groundwater as an ecosystem ignores its critical role in preserving surface biomes. To foster timely global conservation of groundwater, we propose elevating the concept of keystone species into the realm of ecosystems, claiming groundwater as a keystone ecosystem that influences the integrity of many dependent ecosystems. Our global analysis shows that over half of land surface areas (52.6%) has a medium‐to‐high interaction with groundwater, reaching up to 74.9% when deserts and high mountains are excluded. We postulate that the intrinsic transboundary features of groundwater are critical for shifting perspectives towards more holistic approaches in aquatic ecology and beyond. Furthermore, we propose eight key themes to develop a science‐policy integrated groundwater conservation agenda. Given ecosystems above and below the ground intersect at many levels, considering groundwater as an essential component of planetary health is pivotal to reduce biodiversity loss and buffer against climate change. |
Navarro-Barranco, Carlos; Martínez, Alejandro; Sempere-Valverde, Juan; Chebaane, Sahar; Digenis, Markos; Plaitis, Wanda; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Amphipods in Mediterranean Marine and Anchialine Caves: New Data and Overview of Existing Knowledge Journal Article Diversity, 15 (12), pp. 1180, 2023, ISSN: 1424-2818. @article{navarro-barranco_amphipods_2023, title = {Amphipods in Mediterranean Marine and Anchialine Caves: New Data and Overview of Existing Knowledge}, author = {Carlos Navarro-Barranco and Alejandro Martínez and Juan Sempere-Valverde and Sahar Chebaane and Markos Digenis and Wanda Plaitis and Eleni Voultsiadou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Navarro-Barranco-Diversity-60.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/12/1180}, doi = {10.3390/d15121180}, issn = {1424-2818}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-11-29}, urldate = {2023-11-29}, journal = {Diversity}, volume = {15}, number = {12}, pages = {1180}, abstract = {Marine and anchialine caves host specialized faunal communities with a variable degree of endemism and functional specialization. However, biodiversity assessments on this habitat are scarce, particularly in relation to small-sized cryptic fauna (such as amphipods), which often play a key role in benthic ecosystems. The present article compiles all records of marine and brackish-water amphipods inhabiting marine and anchialine caves along the Mediterranean basin, combining information extracted from a literature review with newly acquired records. A total of 106 amphipod species has been reported (representing approximately 20% of the Mediterranean amphipod species), mostly from the North-Western Mediterranean. Examination of new material from marine caves in Greece has yielded 14 new records from the East Ionian and Aegean Sea. Most of the reported species display wide ecological amplitude in terms of habitat and substrate preferences, feeding habits as well as bathymetric and geographical distribution. In contrast, only 17 amphipod species have been reported from marine-brackish waters in anchialine caves, predominantly represented by cave specialists with a narrow spatial distribution and distinct morphological traits. Our overall knowledge on amphipods inhabiting Mediterranean caves is far from complete so that new and valuable findings are expected to occur as new caves are explored.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Marine and anchialine caves host specialized faunal communities with a variable degree of endemism and functional specialization. However, biodiversity assessments on this habitat are scarce, particularly in relation to small-sized cryptic fauna (such as amphipods), which often play a key role in benthic ecosystems. The present article compiles all records of marine and brackish-water amphipods inhabiting marine and anchialine caves along the Mediterranean basin, combining information extracted from a literature review with newly acquired records. A total of 106 amphipod species has been reported (representing approximately 20% of the Mediterranean amphipod species), mostly from the North-Western Mediterranean. Examination of new material from marine caves in Greece has yielded 14 new records from the East Ionian and Aegean Sea. Most of the reported species display wide ecological amplitude in terms of habitat and substrate preferences, feeding habits as well as bathymetric and geographical distribution. In contrast, only 17 amphipod species have been reported from marine-brackish waters in anchialine caves, predominantly represented by cave specialists with a narrow spatial distribution and distinct morphological traits. Our overall knowledge on amphipods inhabiting Mediterranean caves is far from complete so that new and valuable findings are expected to occur as new caves are explored. |
Stamouli, Caterina; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni Sponge Community Patterns in Mesophotic and Deep-Sea Habitats in the Aegean and Ionian Seas Journal Article Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 11 (11), pp. 2204, 2023, ISSN: 2077-1312. @article{stamouli_sponge_2023, title = {Sponge Community Patterns in Mesophotic and Deep-Sea Habitats in the Aegean and Ionian Seas}, author = {Caterina Stamouli and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Stamouli-JMSE-59.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/11/2204}, doi = {10.3390/jmse11112204}, issn = {2077-1312}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-11-22}, urldate = {2023-11-22}, journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering}, volume = {11}, number = {11}, pages = {2204}, abstract = {Sponge assemblages play a significant role in the functioning of the Mediterranean benthic ecosystem. The main goal of this study was to investigate the diversity and distribution of poorly known sponge communities in the mesophotic and deep-sea substrates of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. More than 1500 sponge specimens belonging to 87 taxa were collected from 156 stations during experimental and commercial bottom trawling in the Aegean Sea and the eastern part of the Ionian ecoregion, at depths of between 10 and 800 m. A total of 79 sponge species were found in the Aegean and 40 species in the Ionian Sea. Eight of these species are included in lists of endangered and threatened species, two were newly recorded in the Aegean and six were first recorded in the east Ionian Sea. Both community structure and diversity differed between the two ecoregions. Species richness, biomass, abundance and diversity decreased with increasing depth, while different species dominated, in terms of biomass, abundance and frequency of appearance, in the two ecoregions and the separate depth zones. In contrast with previous investigations, which mostly examined shallow-water sponges, no clear resemblance patterns were observed among the north and south Aegean subareas, probably due to the homogeneity of the deep-sea habitats under investigation. This study, using sampling material from fish stock monitoring programs for the first time, contributed to our knowledge of the largely unknown eastern Mediterranean mesophotic and deep-sea sponge populations, which are subjected to intensive trawling activities.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Sponge assemblages play a significant role in the functioning of the Mediterranean benthic ecosystem. The main goal of this study was to investigate the diversity and distribution of poorly known sponge communities in the mesophotic and deep-sea substrates of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. More than 1500 sponge specimens belonging to 87 taxa were collected from 156 stations during experimental and commercial bottom trawling in the Aegean Sea and the eastern part of the Ionian ecoregion, at depths of between 10 and 800 m. A total of 79 sponge species were found in the Aegean and 40 species in the Ionian Sea. Eight of these species are included in lists of endangered and threatened species, two were newly recorded in the Aegean and six were first recorded in the east Ionian Sea. Both community structure and diversity differed between the two ecoregions. Species richness, biomass, abundance and diversity decreased with increasing depth, while different species dominated, in terms of biomass, abundance and frequency of appearance, in the two ecoregions and the separate depth zones. In contrast with previous investigations, which mostly examined shallow-water sponges, no clear resemblance patterns were observed among the north and south Aegean subareas, probably due to the homogeneity of the deep-sea habitats under investigation. This study, using sampling material from fish stock monitoring programs for the first time, contributed to our knowledge of the largely unknown eastern Mediterranean mesophotic and deep-sea sponge populations, which are subjected to intensive trawling activities. |
Zirler, Rotem; Leck, Lynn Angele; Farkash, Tamar Feldstein; Holzknecht, Martina; Kroh, Andreas; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih; Jimenez, Carlos; Resaikos, Vasilis; Yokeş, Mehmet Baki; Bronstein, Omri Frontiers in Marine Science, 10 , pp. 1152584, 2023, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{zirler_gaining_2023, title = {Gaining a (tube) foothold – trends and status following two decades of the long-spined echinoid Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778) invasion to the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Rotem Zirler and Lynn Angele Leck and Tamar Feldstein Farkash and Martina Holzknecht and Andreas Kroh and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Mehmet Fatih Huseyinoglu and Carlos Jimenez and Vasilis Resaikos and Mehmet Baki Yokeş and Omri Bronstein}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Zirler-Frontiers-MarSci-32.pdf https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1152584/full}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2023.1152584}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-06-21}, urldate = {2023-06-22}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {10}, pages = {1152584}, abstract = {The Eastern Mediterranean Sea is an exceptional habitat. Its relative isolation and distinct characteristics create a unique ecosystem recognized as a marine biodiversity hot spot, where one-fifth of the species are endemic. Yet, native Mediterranean biodiversity is under increasing threat, mainly due to massive alien species invasions of Indo-Pacific origin. To date, more than 800 non-indigenous species have been reported in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, justifying its reputation as one of the most severely affected habitats in the world in terms of marine biological invasions. Here we summarized the Mediterranean invasion dynamics of the long-spined echinoid Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778), one of the most ubiquitous Indo-Pacific sea urchin species. We show an alarming exponential population growth of D. setosum throughout the Eastern Mediterranean since 2018, following more than a decade of ‘invasion lag’ since its first detection in 2006. Molecular analyses illustrate the presence of a single genetic D. setosum clade in the Mediterranean Sea – corresponding to the Arabian Peninsula clade of this species, reinforcing the notion of a Red Sea origin. Our data support the current working hypothesis that the initial introduction of D. setosum occurred in the Northern Levantine Basin from which it gradually expanded in both north-west and south-east trajectories – in contrast to a stepping-stone hypothesis of gradual advancement from the opening of the Suez Canal. Demographic data of D. setosum along the Israeli Mediterranean coastline reveals a well-established population of broad size distributions, from juveniles to adult individuals of remarkably large size. Additionally, we provide evidence of the reproductive capacity of D. setosum in its new environment. Due to the magnitude of Diadema ’s ecological footprint, it poses a severe threat to the entire Eastern Mediterranean Sea, including the Levantine Basin and South Aegean Sea, calling for rapid and coordinated action at both national and regional scales.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The Eastern Mediterranean Sea is an exceptional habitat. Its relative isolation and distinct characteristics create a unique ecosystem recognized as a marine biodiversity hot spot, where one-fifth of the species are endemic. Yet, native Mediterranean biodiversity is under increasing threat, mainly due to massive alien species invasions of Indo-Pacific origin. To date, more than 800 non-indigenous species have been reported in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, justifying its reputation as one of the most severely affected habitats in the world in terms of marine biological invasions. Here we summarized the Mediterranean invasion dynamics of the long-spined echinoid Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778), one of the most ubiquitous Indo-Pacific sea urchin species. We show an alarming exponential population growth of D. setosum throughout the Eastern Mediterranean since 2018, following more than a decade of ‘invasion lag’ since its first detection in 2006. Molecular analyses illustrate the presence of a single genetic D. setosum clade in the Mediterranean Sea – corresponding to the Arabian Peninsula clade of this species, reinforcing the notion of a Red Sea origin. Our data support the current working hypothesis that the initial introduction of D. setosum occurred in the Northern Levantine Basin from which it gradually expanded in both north-west and south-east trajectories – in contrast to a stepping-stone hypothesis of gradual advancement from the opening of the Suez Canal. Demographic data of D. setosum along the Israeli Mediterranean coastline reveals a well-established population of broad size distributions, from juveniles to adult individuals of remarkably large size. Additionally, we provide evidence of the reproductive capacity of D. setosum in its new environment. Due to the magnitude of Diadema ’s ecological footprint, it poses a severe threat to the entire Eastern Mediterranean Sea, including the Levantine Basin and South Aegean Sea, calling for rapid and coordinated action at both national and regional scales. |
Savin, Andrei; Sini, Maria; Xynogala, Ioanna; Lioupa, Vasiliki; Vougioukalou, Konstantina; Stamatis, Konstantinos; Noè, Simona; Ragkousis, Michail; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos; Katsanevakis, Stelios Assessment of macroalgal communities on shallow rocky reefs in the Aegean Sea indicates an impoverished ecological status Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 24 (2), pp. 241–258, 2023, ISSN: 1791-6763. @article{savin_assessment_2023, title = {Assessment of macroalgal communities on shallow rocky reefs in the Aegean Sea indicates an impoverished ecological status}, author = {Andrei Savin and Maria Sini and Ioanna Xynogala and Vasiliki Lioupa and Konstantina Vougioukalou and Konstantinos Stamatis and Simona Noè and Michail Ragkousis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Thanos Dailianis and Stelios Katsanevakis}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Savin-MMS-30.pdf https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/31034}, doi = {10.12681/mms.31034}, issn = {1791-6763}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-06-12}, urldate = {2023-06-14}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {24}, number = {2}, pages = {241--258}, abstract = {Mediterranean rocky reefs are undergoing regime shifts, from a structurally complex and diverse state dominated by canopy- forming macroalgae to a degraded one characterised by low-lying turf or encrusting macroalgal species, due to increased anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Using data gathered from 89 sites across the entire Aegean Sea, this study aims to provide the most comprehensive health status assessment of shallow rocky reefs in the area, based on macroalgal community structure. Overall, 2520 benthic images were collected through photoquadrat sampling at 0, 5 and, 15 m depth. Five macroalgal and seven invertebrate morphofunctional groups, along with four substrate categories, were considered for community structure description. Health status was assessed using the reef-EBQI and EEI-c indices. Results indicate turf as the most widespread macroalgal group (36.8% average area cover), followed by encrusting calcareous (16.6%), shrubby (12.7%), articulated calcareous (8.9%), and canopy-forming algae (3.7%). Bare rock also occupied a substantial surface area (9.0%) with highest cover (13.8%) at 5 m. The area cover of canopy-forming algae was particularly low, ranging from 10% at 0 m to 0.1% at 15 m depth, on average. All depths pooled, according to the reef-EBQI index, the ecological status of the Aegean Sea was estimated to be ‘Bad’, mainly due to the bad ecological status of the 5 and 15 m stations. At 0 m depth, the status of the Aegean Sea was ranked ‘Moderate’ according to the reef-EBQI index and ‘Good’ according to the EEI-c index. The results underline the importance of considering a wide depth range when assessing the health status of rocky reef communities.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Mediterranean rocky reefs are undergoing regime shifts, from a structurally complex and diverse state dominated by canopy- forming macroalgae to a degraded one characterised by low-lying turf or encrusting macroalgal species, due to increased anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Using data gathered from 89 sites across the entire Aegean Sea, this study aims to provide the most comprehensive health status assessment of shallow rocky reefs in the area, based on macroalgal community structure. Overall, 2520 benthic images were collected through photoquadrat sampling at 0, 5 and, 15 m depth. Five macroalgal and seven invertebrate morphofunctional groups, along with four substrate categories, were considered for community structure description. Health status was assessed using the reef-EBQI and EEI-c indices. Results indicate turf as the most widespread macroalgal group (36.8% average area cover), followed by encrusting calcareous (16.6%), shrubby (12.7%), articulated calcareous (8.9%), and canopy-forming algae (3.7%). Bare rock also occupied a substantial surface area (9.0%) with highest cover (13.8%) at 5 m. The area cover of canopy-forming algae was particularly low, ranging from 10% at 0 m to 0.1% at 15 m depth, on average. All depths pooled, according to the reef-EBQI index, the ecological status of the Aegean Sea was estimated to be ‘Bad’, mainly due to the bad ecological status of the 5 and 15 m stations. At 0 m depth, the status of the Aegean Sea was ranked ‘Moderate’ according to the reef-EBQI index and ‘Good’ according to the EEI-c index. The results underline the importance of considering a wide depth range when assessing the health status of rocky reef communities. |
Ragkousis, Michail; Zenetos, Argyro; Souissi, Jamila Ben; Tsiamis, Konstantinos; Ferrario, Jasmine; Marchini, Agnese; Edelist, Dori; Crocetta, Fabio; Bariche, Michel; Deidun, Alan; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Azzurro, Ernesto; Vella, Adriana; Tsirintanis, Konstantinos; Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna; Evans, Julian; Kondylatos, Gerasimos; Castriota, Luca; Rizgalla, Jamila; Schembri, Patrick; Kalogirou, Stefanos; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Scannella, Danilo; Tiralongo, Francesco; Bazairi, Hocein; Zava, Bruno; Bilecenoglu, Murat; Çinar, Melih; Kampouris, Thodoros; Dulčić, Jakov; Rilov, Gil; Micu, Dragoș; Katsanevakis, Stelios Unpublished Mediterranean and Black Sea records of marine alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species Journal Article BioInvasions Records, 12 (2), pp. 339–369, 2023, ISSN: 22421300. @article{ragkousis_unpublished_2023, title = {Unpublished Mediterranean and Black Sea records of marine alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species}, author = {Michail Ragkousis and Argyro Zenetos and Jamila Ben Souissi and Konstantinos Tsiamis and Jasmine Ferrario and Agnese Marchini and Dori Edelist and Fabio Crocetta and Michel Bariche and Alan Deidun and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Ernesto Azzurro and Adriana Vella and Konstantinos Tsirintanis and Anna Occhipinti-Ambrogi and Julian Evans and Gerasimos Kondylatos and Luca Castriota and Jamila Rizgalla and Patrick Schembri and Stefanos Kalogirou and Maria Corsini-Foka and Danilo Scannella and Francesco Tiralongo and Hocein Bazairi and Bruno Zava and Murat Bilecenoglu and Melih Çinar and Thodoros Kampouris and Jakov Dulčić and Gil Rilov and Dragoș Micu and Stelios Katsanevakis}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-Ragkousis-BioInvasions-22.pdf https://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2023/2/BIR_2023_Ragkousis_etal.pdf}, doi = {10.3391/bir.2023.12.2.01}, issn = {22421300}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-05-25}, urldate = {2023-05-31}, journal = {BioInvasions Records}, volume = {12}, number = {2}, pages = {339--369}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
2022 |
Keith, David A; Ferrer-Paris, José R; Nicholson, Emily; Bishop, Melanie J; Polidoro, Beth A; Ramirez-Llodra, Eva; Tozer, Mark G; Nel, Jeanne L; Nally, Ralph Mac; Gregr, Edward J; Watermeyer, Kate E; Essl, Franz; Faber-Langendoen, Don; Franklin, Janet; Lehmann, Caroline E R; Etter, Andrés; Roux, Dirk J; Stark, Jonathan S; Rowland, Jessica A; Brummitt, Neil A; Fernandez-Arcaya, Ulla C; Suthers, Iain M; Wiser, Susan K; Donohue, Ian; Jackson, Leland J; Pennington, Toby R; Iliffe, Thomas M; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Giller, Paul; Robson, Belinda J; Pettorelli, Nathalie; Andrade, Angela; Lindgaard, Arild; Tahvanainen, Teemu; Terauds, Aleks; Chadwick, Michael A; Murray, Nicholas J; Moat, Justin; Pliscoff, Patricio; Zager, Irene; Kingsford, Richard T A function-based typology for Earth’s ecosystems Journal Article Nature, 610 (7932), pp. 513–518, 2022, ISSN: 0028-0836, 1476-4687. @article{keith_function-based_2022, title = {A function-based typology for Earth’s ecosystems}, author = {David A Keith and José R Ferrer-Paris and Emily Nicholson and Melanie J Bishop and Beth A Polidoro and Eva Ramirez-Llodra and Mark G Tozer and Jeanne L Nel and Ralph Mac Nally and Edward J Gregr and Kate E Watermeyer and Franz Essl and Don Faber-Langendoen and Janet Franklin and Caroline E R Lehmann and Andrés Etter and Dirk J Roux and Jonathan S Stark and Jessica A Rowland and Neil A Brummitt and Ulla C Fernandez-Arcaya and Iain M Suthers and Susan K Wiser and Ian Donohue and Leland J Jackson and Toby R Pennington and Thomas M Iliffe and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Paul Giller and Belinda J Robson and Nathalie Pettorelli and Angela Andrade and Arild Lindgaard and Teemu Tahvanainen and Aleks Terauds and Michael A Chadwick and Nicholas J Murray and Justin Moat and Patricio Pliscoff and Irene Zager and Richard T Kingsford}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022-Keith-NATURE-72.pdf https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05318-4}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-022-05318-4}, issn = {0028-0836, 1476-4687}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-11-02}, urldate = {2022-11-02}, journal = {Nature}, volume = {610}, number = {7932}, pages = {513--518}, abstract = {Abstract As the United Nations develops a post-2020 global biodiversity framework for the Convention on Biological Diversity, attention is focusing on how new goals and targets for ecosystem conservation might serve its vision of ‘living in harmony with nature’ 1,2 . Advancing dual imperatives to conserve biodiversity and sustain ecosystem services requires reliable and resilient generalizations and predictions about ecosystem responses to environmental change and management 3 . Ecosystems vary in their biota 4 , service provision 5 and relative exposure to risks 6 , yet there is no globally consistent classification of ecosystems that reflects functional responses to change and management. This hampers progress on developing conservation targets and sustainability goals. Here we present the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology, a conceptually robust, scalable, spatially explicit approach for generalizations and predictions about functions, biota, risks and management remedies across the entire biosphere. The outcome of a major cross-disciplinary collaboration, this novel framework places all of Earth’s ecosystems into a unifying theoretical context to guide the transformation of ecosystem policy and management from global to local scales. This new information infrastructure will support knowledge transfer for ecosystem-specific management and restoration, globally standardized ecosystem risk assessments, natural capital accounting and progress on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Abstract As the United Nations develops a post-2020 global biodiversity framework for the Convention on Biological Diversity, attention is focusing on how new goals and targets for ecosystem conservation might serve its vision of ‘living in harmony with nature’ 1,2 . Advancing dual imperatives to conserve biodiversity and sustain ecosystem services requires reliable and resilient generalizations and predictions about ecosystem responses to environmental change and management 3 . Ecosystems vary in their biota 4 , service provision 5 and relative exposure to risks 6 , yet there is no globally consistent classification of ecosystems that reflects functional responses to change and management. This hampers progress on developing conservation targets and sustainability goals. Here we present the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology, a conceptually robust, scalable, spatially explicit approach for generalizations and predictions about functions, biota, risks and management remedies across the entire biosphere. The outcome of a major cross-disciplinary collaboration, this novel framework places all of Earth’s ecosystems into a unifying theoretical context to guide the transformation of ecosystem policy and management from global to local scales. This new information infrastructure will support knowledge transfer for ecosystem-specific management and restoration, globally standardized ecosystem risk assessments, natural capital accounting and progress on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. |
Garrabou, Joaquim; Gómez‐Gras, Daniel; Medrano, Alba; Cerrano, Carlo; Ponti, Massimo; Schlegel, Robert; Bensoussan, Nathaniel; Turicchia, Eva; Sini, Maria; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Teixido, Nuria; Mirasole, Alice; Tamburello, Laura; Cebrian, Emma; Rilov, Gil; Ledoux, Jean‐Baptiste; Souissi, Jamila Ben; Khamassi, Faten; Ghanem, Raouia; Benabdi, Mouloud; Grimes, Samir; Ocaña, Oscar; Bazairi, Hocein; Hereu, Bernat; Linares, Cristina; Kersting, Diego Kurt; la Rovira, Graciel; Ortega, Júlia; Casals, David; Pagès‐Escolà, Marta; Margarit, Núria; Capdevila, Pol; Verdura, Jana; Ramos, Alfonso; Izquierdo, Andres; Barbera, Carmen; Rubio‐Portillo, Esther; Anton, Irene; López‐Sendino, Paula; Díaz, David; Vázquez‐Luis, Maite; Duarte, Carlos; Marbà, Nuria; Aspillaga, Eneko; Espinosa, Free; Grech, Daniele; Guala, Ivan; Azzurro, Ernesto; Farina, Simone; Gambi, Maria Cristina; Chimienti, Giovanni; Montefalcone, Monica; Azzola, Annalisa; Mantas, Torcuato Pulido; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Ceccherelli, Giulia; Kipson, Silvija; Bakran‐Petricioli, Tatjana; Petricioli, Donat; Jimenez, Carlos; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Kizilkaya, Inci Tuney; Kizilkaya, Zafer; Sartoretto, Stephane; Elodie, Rouanet; Ruitton, Sandrine; Comeau, Steeve; Gattuso, Jean‐Pierre; Harmelin, Jean‐Georges Marine heatwaves drive recurrent mass mortalities in the Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Global Change Biology, 28 (19), pp. 5708–5725, 2022, ISSN: 1354-1013, 1365-2486. @article{garrabou_marine_2022, title = {Marine heatwaves drive recurrent mass mortalities in the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Joaquim Garrabou and Daniel Gómez‐Gras and Alba Medrano and Carlo Cerrano and Massimo Ponti and Robert Schlegel and Nathaniel Bensoussan and Eva Turicchia and Maria Sini and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nuria Teixido and Alice Mirasole and Laura Tamburello and Emma Cebrian and Gil Rilov and Jean‐Baptiste Ledoux and Jamila Ben Souissi and Faten Khamassi and Raouia Ghanem and Mouloud Benabdi and Samir Grimes and Oscar Ocaña and Hocein Bazairi and Bernat Hereu and Cristina Linares and Diego Kurt Kersting and Graciel la Rovira and Júlia Ortega and David Casals and Marta Pagès‐Escolà and Núria Margarit and Pol Capdevila and Jana Verdura and Alfonso Ramos and Andres Izquierdo and Carmen Barbera and Esther Rubio‐Portillo and Irene Anton and Paula López‐Sendino and David Díaz and Maite Vázquez‐Luis and Carlos Duarte and Nuria Marbà and Eneko Aspillaga and Free Espinosa and Daniele Grech and Ivan Guala and Ernesto Azzurro and Simone Farina and Maria Cristina Gambi and Giovanni Chimienti and Monica Montefalcone and Annalisa Azzola and Torcuato Pulido Mantas and Simonetta Fraschetti and Giulia Ceccherelli and Silvija Kipson and Tatjana Bakran‐Petricioli and Donat Petricioli and Carlos Jimenez and Stelios Katsanevakis and Inci Tuney Kizilkaya and Zafer Kizilkaya and Stephane Sartoretto and Rouanet Elodie and Sandrine Ruitton and Steeve Comeau and Jean‐Pierre Gattuso and Jean‐Georges Harmelin}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-Garrabou-Global-Change-Biology-59.pdf https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.16301}, doi = {10.1111/gcb.16301}, issn = {1354-1013, 1365-2486}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-10-01}, urldate = {2022-09-26}, journal = {Global Change Biology}, volume = {28}, number = {19}, pages = {5708--5725}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Rallis, Ioannis; Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos; Florido, Marta; Sedano, Francisco; Procopiou, Avgi; Chertz-Bynichaki, Melina; Vernadou, Emmanouela; Plaiti, Wanda; Koulouri, Panayota; Dounas, Costas; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos Early Succession Patterns of Benthic Assemblages on Artificial Reefs in the Oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Basin Journal Article Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10 (5), pp. 620, 2022, ISSN: 2077-1312. @article{rallis_early_2022, title = {Early Succession Patterns of Benthic Assemblages on Artificial Reefs in the Oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Basin}, author = {Ioannis Rallis and Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou and Marta Florido and Francisco Sedano and Avgi Procopiou and Melina Chertz-Bynichaki and Emmanouela Vernadou and Wanda Plaiti and Panayota Koulouri and Costas Dounas and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Thanos Dailianis}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Rallis-jmse-35.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/5/620}, doi = {10.3390/jmse10050620}, issn = {2077-1312}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-05-01}, urldate = {2022-05-09}, journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {620}, abstract = {The colonization of artificial structures by benthic organisms in the marine realm is known to be affected by the general trophic patterns of the biogeographical zone and the prevailing environmental traits at the local scale. The present work aims to present quantitative data on the early settlement progress of macrofaunal benthic assemblages developing on artificial reefs (ARs) deployed at the Underwater Biotechnological Park of Crete (UBPC) in the oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean. Visual census and subsequent image analysis combined with scraped quadrats were used to describe the establishment of the communities and their development over three consecutive campaigns, spanning 5 years post-deployment. Macroalgae consistently dominated in terms of coverage, while sessile invertebrates displayed different patterns over the years. Polychaeta and Bryozoa were gradually replaced by Cnidaria, while Porifera and Mollusca displayed an increasing trend over the years. Motile benthos was mainly represented by Mollusca, while the abundance of Polychaeta increased in contrast to that of Crustacea. For both sessile and motile assemblages, significant differences were observed among the years. The results of this study indicate that ecological succession is still ongoing, and further improvement in the monitoring methodology can assist towards a more accurate assessment of the community composition in complex AR structures.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The colonization of artificial structures by benthic organisms in the marine realm is known to be affected by the general trophic patterns of the biogeographical zone and the prevailing environmental traits at the local scale. The present work aims to present quantitative data on the early settlement progress of macrofaunal benthic assemblages developing on artificial reefs (ARs) deployed at the Underwater Biotechnological Park of Crete (UBPC) in the oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean. Visual census and subsequent image analysis combined with scraped quadrats were used to describe the establishment of the communities and their development over three consecutive campaigns, spanning 5 years post-deployment. Macroalgae consistently dominated in terms of coverage, while sessile invertebrates displayed different patterns over the years. Polychaeta and Bryozoa were gradually replaced by Cnidaria, while Porifera and Mollusca displayed an increasing trend over the years. Motile benthos was mainly represented by Mollusca, while the abundance of Polychaeta increased in contrast to that of Crustacea. For both sessile and motile assemblages, significant differences were observed among the years. The results of this study indicate that ecological succession is still ongoing, and further improvement in the monitoring methodology can assist towards a more accurate assessment of the community composition in complex AR structures. |
Digenis, Markos; Arvanitidis, Christos; Dailianis, Thanos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Comparative Study of Marine Cave Communities in a Protected Area of the South-Eastern Aegean Sea, Greece Journal Article Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10 (5), pp. 660, 2022, ISSN: 2077-1312. @article{digenis_comparative_2022, title = {Comparative Study of Marine Cave Communities in a Protected Area of the South-Eastern Aegean Sea, Greece}, author = {Markos Digenis and Christos Arvanitidis and Thanos Dailianis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Digenis-jmse-40.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/10/5/660}, doi = {10.3390/jmse10050660}, issn = {2077-1312}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-05-01}, urldate = {2022-07-29}, journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering}, volume = {10}, number = {5}, pages = {660}, abstract = {Although more than 600 marine caves have been recorded so far along the Greek coasts of the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean), only a few have been systematically studied for their biodiversity. In this study, the benthic communities of six marine caves within a Protected Area of South-Eastern Aegean were studied for the first time, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The association of different geomorphological and topographical factors of the caves with the benthic community structure was investigated. A total of 120 photographic quadrats covering the entrance and semi-dark cave zones were analysed, with regard to coverage and taxon abundance, while motile taxa were qualitatively recorded by visual census. The ecological quality status of the caves was also assessed under an ecosystem-based approach. In total, 81 sessile and 45 motile taxa were recorded, including 12 protected and 10 non-indigenous species. Multivariate community analysis demonstrated that the geomorphological and topographical variables of the caves are significantly associated with the observed biotic patterns. The ecological quality of the caves was assessed as poor or moderate according to the CavEBQI index, highlighting the necessity for systematic monitoring. This study paves the way for similar studies in marine cave habitats aiming at the development of management and conservation actions.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Although more than 600 marine caves have been recorded so far along the Greek coasts of the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean), only a few have been systematically studied for their biodiversity. In this study, the benthic communities of six marine caves within a Protected Area of South-Eastern Aegean were studied for the first time, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The association of different geomorphological and topographical factors of the caves with the benthic community structure was investigated. A total of 120 photographic quadrats covering the entrance and semi-dark cave zones were analysed, with regard to coverage and taxon abundance, while motile taxa were qualitatively recorded by visual census. The ecological quality status of the caves was also assessed under an ecosystem-based approach. In total, 81 sessile and 45 motile taxa were recorded, including 12 protected and 10 non-indigenous species. Multivariate community analysis demonstrated that the geomorphological and topographical variables of the caves are significantly associated with the observed biotic patterns. The ecological quality of the caves was assessed as poor or moderate according to the CavEBQI index, highlighting the necessity for systematic monitoring. This study paves the way for similar studies in marine cave habitats aiming at the development of management and conservation actions. |
Mammola, Stefano; Meierhofer, Melissa B; Borges, Paulo A V; Colado, Raquel; Culver, David C; Deharveng, Louis; Delić, Teo; Lorenzo, Tiziana Di; Dražina, Tvrtko; Ferreira, Rodrigo L; Fiasca, Barbara; Fišer, Cene; Galassi, Diana M P; Garzoli, Laura; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Griebler, Christian; Halse, Stuart; Howarth, Francis G; Isaia, Marco; Johnson, Joseph S; Komerički, Ana; Martínez, Alejandro; Milano, Filippo; Moldovan, Oana T; Nanni, Veronica; Nicolosi, Giuseppe; Niemiller, Matthew L; Pallarés, Susana; Pavlek, Martina; Piano, Elena; Pipan, Tanja; Sanchez‐Fernandez, David; Santangeli, Andrea; Schmidt, Susanne I; Wynne, Judson J; Zagmajster, Maja; Zakšek, Valerija; Cardoso, Pedro Towards evidence‐based conservation of subterranean ecosystems Journal Article Biological Reviews, pp. brv.12851, 2022, ISSN: 1464-7931, 1469-185X. @article{mammola_towards_2022, title = {Towards evidence‐based conservation of subterranean ecosystems}, author = {Stefano Mammola and Melissa B Meierhofer and Paulo A V Borges and Raquel Colado and David C Culver and Louis Deharveng and Teo Delić and Tiziana Di Lorenzo and Tvrtko Dražina and Rodrigo L Ferreira and Barbara Fiasca and Cene Fišer and Diana M P Galassi and Laura Garzoli and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Christian Griebler and Stuart Halse and Francis G Howarth and Marco Isaia and Joseph S Johnson and Ana Komerički and Alejandro Martínez and Filippo Milano and Oana T Moldovan and Veronica Nanni and Giuseppe Nicolosi and Matthew L Niemiller and Susana Pallarés and Martina Pavlek and Elena Piano and Tanja Pipan and David Sanchez‐Fernandez and Andrea Santangeli and Susanne I Schmidt and Judson J Wynne and Maja Zagmajster and Valerija Zakšek and Pedro Cardoso}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Mammola-Biological-Reviews-25.pdf}, doi = {10.1111/brv.12851}, issn = {1464-7931, 1469-185X}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-03-01}, urldate = {2022-05-09}, journal = {Biological Reviews}, pages = {brv.12851}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Bianchi, Carlo Nike; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Morri, Carla; Froglia, Carlo Distribution and Ecology of Decapod Crustaceans in Mediterranean Marine Caves: A Review Journal Article Diversity, 14 (3), pp. 176, 2022, ISSN: 1424-2818. @article{bianchi_distribution_2022, title = {Distribution and Ecology of Decapod Crustaceans in Mediterranean Marine Caves: A Review}, author = {Carlo Nike Bianchi and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Carla Morri and Carlo Froglia}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Bolgan-AqCon-15-pre-print-1.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/3/176}, doi = {10.3390/d14030176}, issn = {1424-2818}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-01-01}, urldate = {2022-03-11}, journal = {Diversity}, volume = {14}, number = {3}, pages = {176}, abstract = {Decapod crustaceans are important components of the fauna of marine caves worldwide, yet information on their ecology is still scarce. Mediterranean marine caves are perhaps the best known of the world and may offer paradigms to the students of marine cave decapods from other geographic regions. This review summarizes and updates the existing knowledge about the decapod fauna of Mediterranean marine caves on the basis of a dataset of 76 species from 133 caves in 13 Mediterranean countries. Most species were found occasionally, while 15 species were comparatively frequent (found in at least seven caves). They comprise cryptobiotic and bathyphilic species that only secondarily colonize caves (secondary stygobiosis). Little is known about the population biology of cave decapods, and quantitative data are virtually lacking. The knowledge on Mediterranean marine cave decapods is far from being complete. Future research should focus on filling regional gaps and on the decapod ecological role: getting out at night to feed and resting in caves during daytime, decapods may import organic matter to the cave ecosystem. Some decapod species occurring in caves are protected by law. Ecological interest and the need for conservation initiatives combine to claim for intensifying research on the decapod fauna of the Mediterranean Sea caves.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Decapod crustaceans are important components of the fauna of marine caves worldwide, yet information on their ecology is still scarce. Mediterranean marine caves are perhaps the best known of the world and may offer paradigms to the students of marine cave decapods from other geographic regions. This review summarizes and updates the existing knowledge about the decapod fauna of Mediterranean marine caves on the basis of a dataset of 76 species from 133 caves in 13 Mediterranean countries. Most species were found occasionally, while 15 species were comparatively frequent (found in at least seven caves). They comprise cryptobiotic and bathyphilic species that only secondarily colonize caves (secondary stygobiosis). Little is known about the population biology of cave decapods, and quantitative data are virtually lacking. The knowledge on Mediterranean marine cave decapods is far from being complete. Future research should focus on filling regional gaps and on the decapod ecological role: getting out at night to feed and resting in caves during daytime, decapods may import organic matter to the cave ecosystem. Some decapod species occurring in caves are protected by law. Ecological interest and the need for conservation initiatives combine to claim for intensifying research on the decapod fauna of the Mediterranean Sea caves. |
Koulouri, Panayota; Mogias, Athanasios; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Mediterranean Marine Science, 23 (2), pp. 266–269, 2022, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{koulouri_ocean_2022, title = {Ocean Literacy across the Mediterranean Sea region in the Era of 2030 Agenda and the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)}, author = {Panayota Koulouri and Athanasios Mogias and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Koulouri-editorial-MedMarSci-29.pdf}, doi = {10.12681/mms.30099}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-01-01}, urldate = {2022-05-09}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {23}, number = {2}, pages = {266--269}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Paragkamian, Savvas; Sarafidou, Georgia; Mavraki, Dimitra; Pavloudi, Christina; Beja, Joana; Eliezer, Menashè; Lipizer, Marina; Boicenco, Laura; Vandepitte, Leen; Perez-Perez, Ruben; Zafeiropoulos, Haris; Arvanitidis, Christos; Pafilis, Evangelos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Automating the Curation Process of Historical Literature on Marine Biodiversity Using Text Mining: The DECO Workflow Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 9 , pp. 940844, 2022, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{paragkamian_automating_2022, title = {Automating the Curation Process of Historical Literature on Marine Biodiversity Using Text Mining: The DECO Workflow}, author = {Savvas Paragkamian and Georgia Sarafidou and Dimitra Mavraki and Christina Pavloudi and Joana Beja and Menashè Eliezer and Marina Lipizer and Laura Boicenco and Leen Vandepitte and Ruben Perez-Perez and Haris Zafeiropoulos and Christos Arvanitidis and Evangelos Pafilis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-Paragkaminan-fmars-53.pdf }, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2022.940844}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-01-01}, urldate = {2022-07-29}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {9}, pages = {940844}, abstract = {Historical biodiversity documents comprise an important link to the long-term data life cycle and provide useful insights on several aspects of biodiversity research and management. However, because of their historical context, they present specific challenges, primarily time- and effort-consuming in data curation. The data rescue process requires a multidisciplinary effort involving four tasks: (a) Document digitisation (b) Transcription, which involves text recognition and correction, and (c) Information Extraction, which is performed using text mining tools and involves the entity identification, their normalisation and their co-mentions in text. Finally, the extracted data go through (d) Publication to a data repository in a standardised format. Each of these tasks requires a dedicated multistep methodology with standards and procedures. During the past 8 years, Information Extraction (IE) tools have undergone remarkable advances, which created a landscape of various tools with distinct capabilities specific to biodiversity data. These tools recognise entities in text such as taxon names, localities, phenotypic traits and thus automate, accelerate and facilitate the curation process. Furthermore, they assist the normalisation and mapping of entities to specific identifiers. This work focuses on the IE step (c) from the marine historical biodiversity data perspective. It orchestrates IE tools and provides the curators with a unified view of the methodology; as a result the documentation of the strengths, limitations and dependencies of several tools was drafted. Additionally, the classification of tools into Graphical User Interface (web and standalone) applications and Command Line Interface ones enables the data curators to select the most suitable tool for their needs, according to their specific features. In addition, the high volume of already digitised marine documents that await curation is amassed and a demonstration of the methodology, with a new scalable, extendable and containerised tool, “DECO” (bioDivErsity data Curation programming wOrkflow) is presented. DECO’s usage will provide a solid basis for future curation initiatives and an augmented degree of reliability towards high value data products that allow for the connection between the past and the present, in marine biodiversity research.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Historical biodiversity documents comprise an important link to the long-term data life cycle and provide useful insights on several aspects of biodiversity research and management. However, because of their historical context, they present specific challenges, primarily time- and effort-consuming in data curation. The data rescue process requires a multidisciplinary effort involving four tasks: (a) Document digitisation (b) Transcription, which involves text recognition and correction, and (c) Information Extraction, which is performed using text mining tools and involves the entity identification, their normalisation and their co-mentions in text. Finally, the extracted data go through (d) Publication to a data repository in a standardised format. Each of these tasks requires a dedicated multistep methodology with standards and procedures. During the past 8 years, Information Extraction (IE) tools have undergone remarkable advances, which created a landscape of various tools with distinct capabilities specific to biodiversity data. These tools recognise entities in text such as taxon names, localities, phenotypic traits and thus automate, accelerate and facilitate the curation process. Furthermore, they assist the normalisation and mapping of entities to specific identifiers. This work focuses on the IE step (c) from the marine historical biodiversity data perspective. It orchestrates IE tools and provides the curators with a unified view of the methodology; as a result the documentation of the strengths, limitations and dependencies of several tools was drafted. Additionally, the classification of tools into Graphical User Interface (web and standalone) applications and Command Line Interface ones enables the data curators to select the most suitable tool for their needs, according to their specific features. In addition, the high volume of already digitised marine documents that await curation is amassed and a demonstration of the methodology, with a new scalable, extendable and containerised tool, “DECO” (bioDivErsity data Curation programming wOrkflow) is presented. DECO’s usage will provide a solid basis for future curation initiatives and an augmented degree of reliability towards high value data products that allow for the connection between the past and the present, in marine biodiversity research. |
Kazanidis, Georgios; Guido, Adriano; Rosso, Antonietta; Sanfilippo, Rossana; Roberts, Murray J; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis One on Top of the Other: Exploring the Habitat Cascades Phenomenon in Iconic Biogenic Marine Habitats Journal Article Diversity, 14 (4), pp. 290, 2022, ISSN: 1424-2818. @article{kazanidis_one_2022, title = {One on Top of the Other: Exploring the Habitat Cascades Phenomenon in Iconic Biogenic Marine Habitats}, author = {Georgios Kazanidis and Adriano Guido and Antonietta Rosso and Rossana Sanfilippo and Murray J Roberts and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-Kazanidis-Diversity-57-1.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/4/290}, doi = {10.3390/d14040290}, issn = {1424-2818}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-01-01}, urldate = {2022-09-26}, journal = {Diversity}, volume = {14}, number = {4}, pages = {290}, abstract = {Biogenic habitats often form hot spots of biodiversity. However, the role of epibiosis and the ‘habitat cascades’ phenomenon in enhancing structural heterogeneity and biodiversity in biogenic habitats in remote and difficult-to-access areas is little known. In this work, we provide the first insight by exploring epibiosis across remote habitats that often support high levels of biodiversity, i.e., cold-water coral reefs and marine caves. The present study acts as a stepping-stone for the further exploration of ‘habitat cascades’ in habitats where scientific knowledge about this phenomenon is limited.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Biogenic habitats often form hot spots of biodiversity. However, the role of epibiosis and the ‘habitat cascades’ phenomenon in enhancing structural heterogeneity and biodiversity in biogenic habitats in remote and difficult-to-access areas is little known. In this work, we provide the first insight by exploring epibiosis across remote habitats that often support high levels of biodiversity, i.e., cold-water coral reefs and marine caves. The present study acts as a stepping-stone for the further exploration of ‘habitat cascades’ in habitats where scientific knowledge about this phenomenon is limited. |
Tsirintanis, Konstantinos; Azzurro, Ernesto; Crocetta, Fabio; Dimiza, Margarita; Froglia, Carlo; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Langeneck, Joachim; Mancinelli, Giorgio; Rosso, Antonietta; Stern, Nir; Triantaphyllou, Maria; Tsiamis, Konstantinos; Turon, Xavier; Verlaque, Marc; Zenetos, Argyro; Katsanevakis, Stelios Bioinvasion impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health in the Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Aquatic Invasions, 17 (3), pp. 308–352, 2022, ISSN: 18185487. @article{tsirintanis_bioinvasion_2022, title = {Bioinvasion impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health in the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Konstantinos Tsirintanis and Ernesto Azzurro and Fabio Crocetta and Margarita Dimiza and Carlo Froglia and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Joachim Langeneck and Giorgio Mancinelli and Antonietta Rosso and Nir Stern and Maria Triantaphyllou and Konstantinos Tsiamis and Xavier Turon and Marc Verlaque and Argyro Zenetos and Stelios Katsanevakis}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-Tsirintanis-Aquatic-Invasions-58.pdf https://www.reabic.net/aquaticinvasions/2022/issue3.aspx}, doi = {10.3391/ai.2022.17.3.01}, issn = {18185487}, year = {2022}, date = {2022-01-01}, urldate = {2022-09-26}, journal = {Aquatic Invasions}, volume = {17}, number = {3}, pages = {308--352}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
2021 |
Fraschetti, Simonetta; McOwen, Chris; Papa, Loredana; Papadopoulou, Nadia; Bilan, Meri; Boström, Christoffer; Capdevila, Pol; Carreiro-Silva, Marina; Carugati, Laura; Cebrian, Emma; Coll, Marta; Dailianis, Thanos; Danovaro, Roberto; Leo, Francesco De; Fiorentino, Dario; Gagnon, Karine; Gambi, Cristina; Garrabou, Joaquim; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Hereu, Bernat; Kipson, Silvija; Kotta, Jonne; Ledoux, Jean-Baptiste; Linares, Cristina; Martin, Juliette; Medrano, Alba; Montero-Serra, I; Morato, Telmo; Pusceddu, Antonio; Sevastou, Katerina; Smith, Christopher J; Verdura, Jana; Guarnieri, Giuseppe Where Is More Important Than How in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Restoration Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 8 , pp. 626843, 2021, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{fraschetti_where_2021, title = {Where Is More Important Than How in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Restoration}, author = {Simonetta Fraschetti and Chris McOwen and Loredana Papa and Nadia Papadopoulou and Meri Bilan and Christoffer Boström and Pol Capdevila and Marina Carreiro-Silva and Laura Carugati and Emma Cebrian and Marta Coll and Thanos Dailianis and Roberto Danovaro and Francesco De Leo and Dario Fiorentino and Karine Gagnon and Cristina Gambi and Joaquim Garrabou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Bernat Hereu and Silvija Kipson and Jonne Kotta and Jean-Baptiste Ledoux and Cristina Linares and Juliette Martin and Alba Medrano and I Montero-Serra and Telmo Morato and Antonio Pusceddu and Katerina Sevastou and Christopher J Smith and Jana Verdura and Giuseppe Guarnieri}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-Fraschetti-fmars-75.pdf https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.626843/full}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2021.626843}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-10-01}, urldate = {2021-12-01}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {8}, pages = {626843}, abstract = {Restoration is considered an effective strategy to accelerate the recovery of biological communities at local scale. However, the effects of restoration actions in the marine ecosystems are still unpredictable. We performed a global analysis of published literature to identify the factors increasing the probability of restoration success in coastal and marine systems. Our results confirm that the majority of active restoration initiatives are still concentrated in the northern hemisphere and that most of information gathered from restoration efforts derives from a relatively small subset of species. The analysis also indicates that many studies are still experimental in nature, covering small spatial and temporal scales. Despite the limits of assessing restoration effectiveness in absence of a standardized definition of success, the context (degree of human impact, ecosystem type, habitat) of where the restoration activity is undertaken is of greater relevance to a successful outcome than how (method) the restoration is carried out. Contrary to expectations, we found that restoration is not necessarily more successful closer to protected areas (PA) and in areas of moderate human impact. This result can be motivated by the limits in assessing the success of interventions and by the tendency of selecting areas in more obvious need of restoration, where the potential of actively restoring a degraded site is more evident. Restoration sites prioritization considering human uses and conservation status present in the region is of vital importance to obtain the intended outcomes and galvanize further actions.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Restoration is considered an effective strategy to accelerate the recovery of biological communities at local scale. However, the effects of restoration actions in the marine ecosystems are still unpredictable. We performed a global analysis of published literature to identify the factors increasing the probability of restoration success in coastal and marine systems. Our results confirm that the majority of active restoration initiatives are still concentrated in the northern hemisphere and that most of information gathered from restoration efforts derives from a relatively small subset of species. The analysis also indicates that many studies are still experimental in nature, covering small spatial and temporal scales. Despite the limits of assessing restoration effectiveness in absence of a standardized definition of success, the context (degree of human impact, ecosystem type, habitat) of where the restoration activity is undertaken is of greater relevance to a successful outcome than how (method) the restoration is carried out. Contrary to expectations, we found that restoration is not necessarily more successful closer to protected areas (PA) and in areas of moderate human impact. This result can be motivated by the limits in assessing the success of interventions and by the tendency of selecting areas in more obvious need of restoration, where the potential of actively restoring a degraded site is more evident. Restoration sites prioritization considering human uses and conservation status present in the region is of vital importance to obtain the intended outcomes and galvanize further actions. |
Ragkousis, Michail; Digenis, Markos; Kovačić, Marcelo; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Rarely Reported Cryptobenthic Fish in Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9 (6), pp. 557, 2021, ISSN: 2077-1312. @article{ragkousis_rarely_2021, title = {Rarely Reported Cryptobenthic Fish in Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Michail Ragkousis and Markos Digenis and Marcelo Kovačić and Stelios Katsanevakis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-Ragkousis-jmse-09-00557-43.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/9/6/557}, doi = {10.3390/jmse9060557}, issn = {2077-1312}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-05-01}, urldate = {2021-06-24}, journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering}, volume = {9}, number = {6}, pages = {557}, abstract = {Data on the distribution and ecology of cryptobenthic fish of marine caves in the Mediterranean Sea are extremely scarce but necessary for scientists and marine managers alike in order to understand these fish’s ecological role and assess their conservation status. Broadscale surveys by implementing underwater visual census and photographic sampling in marine caves of the northeastern Mediterranean Sea, within different expeditions during the last 5 years, brought to light new records of eight rarely reported cryptobenthic fish species. To a smaller extent, complementary citizen science data from diving professionals of Crete were used to fill distribution gaps. A total of 36 new records (66 individuals) from 18 marine caves and caverns of the Aegean and northeastern Levantine Seas were assembled, belonging to the gobies Corcyrogobius liechtensteini, Didogobius splechtnai, Gammogobius steinitzi, and Thorogobius ephippiatus, the blenny Microlipophrys nigriceps, the tripterygiid Tripterygion melanurum, the speleophilic bythitid Grammonus ater, and the gobiesocid Lepadogaster cf. lepadogaster. The above species have been rarely reported from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with D. splechtnai and G. steinitzi being recorded for the first and second time from Greek waters, respectively, while L. cf. lepadogaster constitutes the second record of a clingfish species in a marine cave of the Aegean Sea. Interesting behavioral and ecological habits were also noted for some species, based on in situ observations and photographic evidence. Our study contributes to filling gaps in the knowledge of cave fish diversity and demonstrates that cryptobenthic mobile species in understudied cryptic habitats are more common than previously thought in the Mediterranean Sea.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Data on the distribution and ecology of cryptobenthic fish of marine caves in the Mediterranean Sea are extremely scarce but necessary for scientists and marine managers alike in order to understand these fish’s ecological role and assess their conservation status. Broadscale surveys by implementing underwater visual census and photographic sampling in marine caves of the northeastern Mediterranean Sea, within different expeditions during the last 5 years, brought to light new records of eight rarely reported cryptobenthic fish species. To a smaller extent, complementary citizen science data from diving professionals of Crete were used to fill distribution gaps. A total of 36 new records (66 individuals) from 18 marine caves and caverns of the Aegean and northeastern Levantine Seas were assembled, belonging to the gobies Corcyrogobius liechtensteini, Didogobius splechtnai, Gammogobius steinitzi, and Thorogobius ephippiatus, the blenny Microlipophrys nigriceps, the tripterygiid Tripterygion melanurum, the speleophilic bythitid Grammonus ater, and the gobiesocid Lepadogaster cf. lepadogaster. The above species have been rarely reported from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with D. splechtnai and G. steinitzi being recorded for the first and second time from Greek waters, respectively, while L. cf. lepadogaster constitutes the second record of a clingfish species in a marine cave of the Aegean Sea. Interesting behavioral and ecological habits were also noted for some species, based on in situ observations and photographic evidence. Our study contributes to filling gaps in the knowledge of cave fish diversity and demonstrates that cryptobenthic mobile species in understudied cryptic habitats are more common than previously thought in the Mediterranean Sea. |
Rosso, Antonietta; Sanfilippo, Rossana; Guido, Adriano; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Ruggiero, Emma Taddei; Belmonte, Genuario Colonisers of the dark: biostalactite‐associated metazoans from “lu Lampiùne” submarine cave (Apulia, Mediterranean Sea) Journal Article Mar Ecol, 42 (1), 2021, ISSN: 0173-9565, 1439-0485. @article{rosso_colonisers_2021, title = {Colonisers of the dark: biostalactite‐associated metazoans from “lu Lampiùne” submarine cave (Apulia, Mediterranean Sea)}, author = {Antonietta Rosso and Rossana Sanfilippo and Adriano Guido and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Emma Taddei Ruggiero and Genuario Belmonte}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/maec.12634}, doi = {10.1111/maec.12634}, issn = {0173-9565, 1439-0485}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-02-01}, urldate = {2021-03-17}, journal = {Mar Ecol}, volume = {42}, number = {1}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Pisera, Andrzej; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Lithistid Demosponges of Deep-Water Origin in Marine Caves of the North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 8 , 2021, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{pisera_lithistid_2021, title = {Lithistid Demosponges of Deep-Water Origin in Marine Caves of the North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Andrzej Pisera and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-Gerovasileiou-Frontiers-in-Marine-Science-11.pdf https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.630900/full}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2021.630900}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, urldate = {2021-02-05}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {8}, abstract = {Desmas-bearing demosponges known as lithistids have heavily silicified skeleton and occur typically in bathyal environments of warm and tropical areas but may be found in certain shallow marine caves. Here we report, for the first time two lithistid species, i.e. Neophrissospongia endoumensis, and N. cf. nana, that were earlier known from Western Mediterranean marine caves, from four marine caves in the Aegean Sea (north-eastern Mediterranean), and their congener N. nolitangere from deep waters (ca. 300 m) of the same ecoregion. All marine caves, and sections within these caves, where lithistids occur, have freshwater springs. We interpret this surprising association between lithistids and freshwater input by elevated concentration of silica in water in cave sections where such springs occur, being 8–11 times higher in comparison with shallow water outside caves, and comparable to that of deep waters, that promoted lithistids’ development. One of the studied caves harbored an abundant population of N. endoumensis which formed large masses. The age estimation of these lithistids, based on known growth rate of related deep-water sponges, suggest that they could be 769–909 years old in the case of the largest specimen observed, about 100 cm large. These sponges could have colonized the caves from adjacent deep-water areas not earlier than 7,000–3,000 years ago, after the last glaciation, because earlier they were emerged. High variability of spicules, especially microscleres, and underdevelopment of megascleres may be related to silicic acid concentration.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Desmas-bearing demosponges known as lithistids have heavily silicified skeleton and occur typically in bathyal environments of warm and tropical areas but may be found in certain shallow marine caves. Here we report, for the first time two lithistid species, i.e. Neophrissospongia endoumensis, and N. cf. nana, that were earlier known from Western Mediterranean marine caves, from four marine caves in the Aegean Sea (north-eastern Mediterranean), and their congener N. nolitangere from deep waters (ca. 300 m) of the same ecoregion. All marine caves, and sections within these caves, where lithistids occur, have freshwater springs. We interpret this surprising association between lithistids and freshwater input by elevated concentration of silica in water in cave sections where such springs occur, being 8–11 times higher in comparison with shallow water outside caves, and comparable to that of deep waters, that promoted lithistids’ development. One of the studied caves harbored an abundant population of N. endoumensis which formed large masses. The age estimation of these lithistids, based on known growth rate of related deep-water sponges, suggest that they could be 769–909 years old in the case of the largest specimen observed, about 100 cm large. These sponges could have colonized the caves from adjacent deep-water areas not earlier than 7,000–3,000 years ago, after the last glaciation, because earlier they were emerged. High variability of spicules, especially microscleres, and underdevelopment of megascleres may be related to silicic acid concentration. |
Bitner, M A; Gerovasileiou, V Taxonomic composition and assemblage structure of brachiopods from two submarine caves in the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean Journal Article The European Zoological Journal, 88 (1), pp. 316–327, 2021, ISSN: 2475-0263. @article{bitner_taxonomic_2021, title = {Taxonomic composition and assemblage structure of brachiopods from two submarine caves in the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean}, author = {M A Bitner and V Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24750263.2021.1887947 https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Bitner-Gerovasileiou-25.pdf}, doi = {10.1080/24750263.2021.1887947}, issn = {2475-0263}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, urldate = {2021-03-17}, journal = {The European Zoological Journal}, volume = {88}, number = {1}, pages = {316--327}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Digenis, Markos; Ragkousis, Michail; Vasileiadou, Katerina; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Katsanevakis, Stelios New records of the Indo-Pacific shrimp Urocaridella pulchella Yokeş & Galil, 2006 from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Journal Article BIR, 10 (2), pp. 295–303, 2021, ISSN: 22421300. @article{digenis_new_2021, title = {New records of the Indo-Pacific shrimp Urocaridella pulchella Yokeş & Galil, 2006 from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Markos Digenis and Michail Ragkousis and Katerina Vasileiadou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Stelios Katsanevakis}, url = {https://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2021/Issue2.aspx https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-Digenis-BioInvasions-Records-35.pdf}, doi = {10.3391/bir.2021.10.2.07}, issn = {22421300}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, urldate = {2021-05-10}, journal = {BIR}, volume = {10}, number = {2}, pages = {295--303}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bianchi, Carlo Nike Mediterranean Marine Caves: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge Incollection Oceanography and Marine Biology, pp. 1–87, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2021, ISBN: 9781003138846. @incollection{hawkins_mediterranean_2021, title = {Mediterranean Marine Caves: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Carlo Nike Bianchi}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-Gerovasileiou-OMBAR-72-1.pdf https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003138846/chapters/10.1201/9781003138846-1}, doi = {10.1201/9781003138846-1}, isbn = {9781003138846}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, urldate = {2021-11-24}, booktitle = {Oceanography and Marine Biology}, pages = {1--87}, publisher = {CRC Press}, address = {Boca Raton}, edition = {1}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } |
Tsagarakis, Konstantinos; Darmanin, Sandra Agius; Mabruk, Sara Al A A; Auriemma, Rocco; Azzurro, Ernesto; Badouvas, Nicholas; Bakiu, Rigers; Bariche, Michel; Battaglia, Pietro; Betti, Federico; Borme, Diego; Cacciamani, Roberto; Cali, Federico; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Crocetta, Fabio; Dalyan, Cem; Deidun, Alan; Digenis, Markos; Domenichetti, Filippo; Dragičević, Branko; Dulčić, Jakov; Durucan, Furkan; Guy-Haim, Tamar; Kesici, Nur Bikem; Lardi, Polytimi; Manitaras, Yiannis; Michailidis, Nikolas; Piraino, Stefano; Rizgalla, Jamila; Siapatis, Apostolos; Soldo, Alen; Stipa, Maria Giulia; Kurt, Tuba Terbiyik; Tiralongo, Francesco; Tsiamis, Konstantinos; Vella, Adriana; Vella, Noel; Zava, Bruno; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis “New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea” (October 2021) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 22 (3), pp. 627, 2021, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{tsagarakis_new_2021, title = {“New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea” (October 2021)}, author = {Konstantinos Tsagarakis and Sandra Agius Darmanin and Sara A A Al Mabruk and Rocco Auriemma and Ernesto Azzurro and Nicholas Badouvas and Rigers Bakiu and Michel Bariche and Pietro Battaglia and Federico Betti and Diego Borme and Roberto Cacciamani and Federico Cali and Maria Corsini-Foka and Fabio Crocetta and Cem Dalyan and Alan Deidun and Markos Digenis and Filippo Domenichetti and Branko Dragičević and Jakov Dulčić and Furkan Durucan and Tamar Guy-Haim and Nur Bikem Kesici and Polytimi Lardi and Yiannis Manitaras and Nikolas Michailidis and Stefano Piraino and Jamila Rizgalla and Apostolos Siapatis and Alen Soldo and Maria Giulia Stipa and Tuba Terbiyik Kurt and Francesco Tiralongo and Konstantinos Tsiamis and Adriana Vella and Noel Vella and Bruno Zava and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-Tsagkarakis-MMS-CAb-76.pdf https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/26669}, doi = {10.12681/mms.26669}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, urldate = {2021-12-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {22}, number = {3}, pages = {627}, abstract = {“New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea” (October 2021)}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } “New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea” (October 2021) |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Koulouri, Panayota; Koutsikopoulos, C; Dailianis, Thanos; Dounas, Costas; Salomidi, Maria; Trygonis, Vasilis; Karris, G; Raitsos, Dionysios E; Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Sini, Maria; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Sourbes, Laurent; Koutsoubas, Drosos Chapter 23. Marine Biodiversity in Greek Seas Incollection Marine Biology, Broken Hill Publishers Ltd., 2021. @incollection{gerovasileiou_chapter_2021, title = {Chapter 23. Marine Biodiversity in Greek Seas}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Panayota Koulouri and C Koutsikopoulos and Thanos Dailianis and Costas Dounas and Maria Salomidi and Vasilis Trygonis and G Karris and Dionysios E Raitsos and Charalampos Dimitriadis and Maria Sini and Dimitris Poursanidis and Laurent Sourbes and Drosos Koutsoubas}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, booktitle = {Marine Biology}, publisher = {Broken Hill Publishers Ltd.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } |
Kanellidou, M; Zacharias, S; Pennos, C; Paragkamian, K; Gerovasileiou, V Greece Incollection Didonna, F; Maurano, F (Ed.): SPELEOMEDIT - Mediterranean Speleology - Panoramic view of caves and karst of Mediterranean countries, pp. 107–115, Società Speleologica Italiana, Bologna, Italia, 2021, ISBN: 978-88-89897-21-8. @incollection{kanellidou_greece_2021, title = {Greece}, author = {M Kanellidou and S Zacharias and C Pennos and K Paragkamian and V Gerovasileiou}, editor = {F Didonna and F Maurano}, isbn = {978-88-89897-21-8}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-01}, booktitle = {SPELEOMEDIT - Mediterranean Speleology - Panoramic view of caves and karst of Mediterranean countries}, pages = {107--115}, publisher = {Società Speleologica Italiana}, address = {Bologna, Italia}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } |
2020 |
Zenetos, Argyro; Karachle, Paraskevi K; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Simboura, Nomiki; Xentidis, Nikolas Jason; Tsiamis, Konstantinos Mediterranean Marine Science, 21 (3), pp. 775, 2020, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{zenetos_is_2020, title = {Is the trend in new introductions of marine non-indigenous species a reliable criterion for assessing good environmental status? Τhe case study of Greece}, author = {Argyro Zenetos and Paraskevi K Karachle and Maria Corsini-Foka and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nomiki Simboura and Nikolas Jason Xentidis and Konstantinos Tsiamis}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/25136}, doi = {10.12681/mms.25136}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-12-01}, urldate = {2020-12-08}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {21}, number = {3}, pages = {775}, abstract = {This study presents the updated status of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) distribution in Greece and investigates trends in new NIS introductions, at both national and subnational level, during 1970-2017. The overall picture shows an increase in new introductions from the 1970s to 2017. The number of unaided introduced species (mainly Lessepsian immigrants) followed an upward trend in the South Aegean Sea until 2017. Similarly, the number of NIS associated with transport-stowaway (NIS introduced mainly via ballast and boat hulls) followed an upward until 2017 in the South Aegean Sea, but also in the Hellenic Levantine coasts. However, these results are greatly affected by a monitoring bias, which appears to be the main factor influencing the number of new NIS introductions reported from Greece and its subnational areas. This monitoring bias, as well as the continuous influx of Lessepsian NIS into the Aegean Sea, constitutes a challenge for Greece as regards setting exact boundaries for areas with or without Good Environmental Status (GES), based on Descriptor 2, primary criterion C1 (D2C1), of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Dedicated monitoring of marine NIS should be established and be constant in space, time and across taxonomic groups. Prioritization should be given to hot-spot areas of new NIS introductions, such as ports, aquaculture units and marine protected areas. This should be a prerequisite for applying the primary criterion D2C1 of the MSFD properly, at both national and subnational level. Finally, as regards the implementation of D2C1 of the MSDF and setting exact threshold values, we highlight the need for subregional and regional coordination in the Mediterranean.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study presents the updated status of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) distribution in Greece and investigates trends in new NIS introductions, at both national and subnational level, during 1970-2017. The overall picture shows an increase in new introductions from the 1970s to 2017. The number of unaided introduced species (mainly Lessepsian immigrants) followed an upward trend in the South Aegean Sea until 2017. Similarly, the number of NIS associated with transport-stowaway (NIS introduced mainly via ballast and boat hulls) followed an upward until 2017 in the South Aegean Sea, but also in the Hellenic Levantine coasts. However, these results are greatly affected by a monitoring bias, which appears to be the main factor influencing the number of new NIS introductions reported from Greece and its subnational areas. This monitoring bias, as well as the continuous influx of Lessepsian NIS into the Aegean Sea, constitutes a challenge for Greece as regards setting exact boundaries for areas with or without Good Environmental Status (GES), based on Descriptor 2, primary criterion C1 (D2C1), of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Dedicated monitoring of marine NIS should be established and be constant in space, time and across taxonomic groups. Prioritization should be given to hot-spot areas of new NIS introductions, such as ports, aquaculture units and marine protected areas. This should be a prerequisite for applying the primary criterion D2C1 of the MSFD properly, at both national and subnational level. Finally, as regards the implementation of D2C1 of the MSDF and setting exact threshold values, we highlight the need for subregional and regional coordination in the Mediterranean. |
Rosso, Antonietta; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Martino, Emanuela Di Really Onychocellids? Revisions and New Findings Increase the Astonishing Bryozoan Diversity of the Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 8 (11), pp. 904, 2020, ISSN: 2077-1312. @article{rosso_really_2020, title = {Really Onychocellids? Revisions and New Findings Increase the Astonishing Bryozoan Diversity of the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Antonietta Rosso and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Emanuela Di Martino}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/11/904}, doi = {10.3390/jmse8110904}, issn = {2077-1312}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-11-01}, urldate = {2020-12-08}, journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering}, volume = {8}, number = {11}, pages = {904}, abstract = {Investigation of bryozoan faunas collected in two submarine caves in Lesvos Island, Aegean Sea revealed a great number of colonies of three species currently assigned to the cheilostome family Onychocellidae: Onychocella marioni Jullien, 1882, O. vibraculifera Neviani, 1895, and Smittipora disjuncta Canu & Bassler, 1930. All species were first described and subsequently recorded on several occasions, from the Mediterranean Sea, particularly from the Aegean Sea. The availability of this material provided the basis for more detailed observations and first scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of some diagnostic characters, including ovicells and ancestrulae, for the well-known species, as well as a few colonies of a species left in open nomenclature (i.e., Onychocellidae sp. 1) in previous works. In this paper we (i) update the descriptions of these four species; (ii) resurrect the species Floridinella arculifera Canu & Bassler, 1927, which was previously synonymised with Caleschara minuta (Maplestone, 1909), suggesting for it the new combination Tretosina arculifera; (iii) and introduce the new genus Bryobifallax for S. disjuncta.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Investigation of bryozoan faunas collected in two submarine caves in Lesvos Island, Aegean Sea revealed a great number of colonies of three species currently assigned to the cheilostome family Onychocellidae: Onychocella marioni Jullien, 1882, O. vibraculifera Neviani, 1895, and Smittipora disjuncta Canu & Bassler, 1930. All species were first described and subsequently recorded on several occasions, from the Mediterranean Sea, particularly from the Aegean Sea. The availability of this material provided the basis for more detailed observations and first scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of some diagnostic characters, including ovicells and ancestrulae, for the well-known species, as well as a few colonies of a species left in open nomenclature (i.e., Onychocellidae sp. 1) in previous works. In this paper we (i) update the descriptions of these four species; (ii) resurrect the species Floridinella arculifera Canu & Bassler, 1927, which was previously synonymised with Caleschara minuta (Maplestone, 1909), suggesting for it the new combination Tretosina arculifera; (iii) and introduce the new genus Bryobifallax for S. disjuncta. |
Obst, Matthias; Exter, Katrina; Allcock, Louise A; Arvanitidis, Christos; Axberg, Alizz; Bustamante, Maria; Cancio, Ibon; Carreira-Flores, Diego; Chatzinikolaou, Eva; Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos; Chrismas, Nathan; Clark, Melody S; Comtet, Thierry; Dailianis, Thanos; Davies, Neil; Deneudt, Klaas; de Cerio, Oihane Diaz; Fortič, Ana; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Hablützel, Pascal I; Keklikoglou, Kleoniki; Kotoulas, Georgios; Lasota, Rafal; Leite, Barbara R; Loisel, Stéphane; Lévêque, Laurent; Levy, Liraz; Malachowicz, Magdalena; Mavrič, Borut; Meyer, Christopher; Mortelmans, Jonas; Norkko, Joanna; Pade, Nicolas; Power, Anne Marie; Ramšak, Andreja; Reiss, Henning; Solbakken, Jostein; Staehr, Peter A; Sundberg, Per; Thyrring, Jakob; Troncoso, Jesus S; Viard, Frédérique; Wenne, Roman; Yperifanou, Eleni Ioanna; Zbawicka, Malgorzata; Pavloudi, Christina A Marine Biodiversity Observation Network for Genetic Monitoring of Hard-Bottom Communities (ARMS-MBON) Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 7 , pp. 572680, 2020, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{obst_marine_2020, title = {A Marine Biodiversity Observation Network for Genetic Monitoring of Hard-Bottom Communities (ARMS-MBON)}, author = {Matthias Obst and Katrina Exter and Louise A Allcock and Christos Arvanitidis and Alizz Axberg and Maria Bustamante and Ibon Cancio and Diego Carreira-Flores and Eva Chatzinikolaou and Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou and Nathan Chrismas and Melody S Clark and Thierry Comtet and Thanos Dailianis and Neil Davies and Klaas Deneudt and Oihane Diaz de Cerio and Ana Fortič and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Pascal I Hablützel and Kleoniki Keklikoglou and Georgios Kotoulas and Rafal Lasota and Barbara R Leite and Stéphane Loisel and Laurent Lévêque and Liraz Levy and Magdalena Malachowicz and Borut Mavrič and Christopher Meyer and Jonas Mortelmans and Joanna Norkko and Nicolas Pade and Anne Marie Power and Andreja Ramšak and Henning Reiss and Jostein Solbakken and Peter A Staehr and Per Sundberg and Jakob Thyrring and Jesus S Troncoso and Frédérique Viard and Roman Wenne and Eleni Ioanna Yperifanou and Malgorzata Zbawicka and Christina Pavloudi}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.572680/full}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2020.572680}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-11-01}, urldate = {2020-12-08}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {7}, pages = {572680}, abstract = {Marine hard-bottom communities are undergoing severe change under the influence of multiple drivers, notably climate change, extraction of natural resources, pollution and eutrophication, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Monitoring marine biodiversity in such habitats is, however, challenging as it typically involves expensive, non-standardized, and often destructive sampling methods that limit its scalability. Differences in monitoring approaches furthermore hinders inter-comparison among monitoring programs. Here, we announce a Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) consisting of Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) with the aim to assess the status and changes in benthic fauna with genomic-based methods, notably DNA metabarcoding, in combination with image-based identifications. This article presents the results of a 30-month pilot phase in which we established an operational and geographically expansive ARMS-MBON. The network currently consists of 20 observatories distributed across European coastal waters and the polar regions, in which 134 ARMS have been deployed to date. Sampling takes place annually, either as short-term deployments during the summer or as long-term deployments starting in spring. The pilot phase was used to establish a common set of standards for field sampling, genetic analysis, data management, and legal compliance, which are presented here. We also tested the potential of ARMS for combining genetic and image-based identification methods in comparative studies of benthic diversity, as well as for detecting non-indigenous species. Results show that ARMS are suitable for monitoring hard-bottom environments as they provide genetic data that can be continuously enriched, re-analyzed, and integrated with conventional data to document benthic community composition and detect non-indigenous species. Finally, we provide guidelines to expand the network and present a sustainability plan as part of the European Marine Biological Resource Centre ( www.embrc.eu ).}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Marine hard-bottom communities are undergoing severe change under the influence of multiple drivers, notably climate change, extraction of natural resources, pollution and eutrophication, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Monitoring marine biodiversity in such habitats is, however, challenging as it typically involves expensive, non-standardized, and often destructive sampling methods that limit its scalability. Differences in monitoring approaches furthermore hinders inter-comparison among monitoring programs. Here, we announce a Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) consisting of Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) with the aim to assess the status and changes in benthic fauna with genomic-based methods, notably DNA metabarcoding, in combination with image-based identifications. This article presents the results of a 30-month pilot phase in which we established an operational and geographically expansive ARMS-MBON. The network currently consists of 20 observatories distributed across European coastal waters and the polar regions, in which 134 ARMS have been deployed to date. Sampling takes place annually, either as short-term deployments during the summer or as long-term deployments starting in spring. The pilot phase was used to establish a common set of standards for field sampling, genetic analysis, data management, and legal compliance, which are presented here. We also tested the potential of ARMS for combining genetic and image-based identification methods in comparative studies of benthic diversity, as well as for detecting non-indigenous species. Results show that ARMS are suitable for monitoring hard-bottom environments as they provide genetic data that can be continuously enriched, re-analyzed, and integrated with conventional data to document benthic community composition and detect non-indigenous species. Finally, we provide guidelines to expand the network and present a sustainability plan as part of the European Marine Biological Resource Centre ( www.embrc.eu ). |
Digenis, Markos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis First Record of Leucothea multicornis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Ctenophora: Leucotheidae) in Greek Waters Journal Article Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 72 (3), pp. 499–500, 2020, (BIODIV). @article{digenis_first_2020, title = {First Record of Leucothea multicornis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Ctenophora: Leucotheidae) in Greek Waters}, author = {Markos Digenis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {http://www.acta-zoologica-bulgarica.eu/002402}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-09-01}, journal = {Acta Zoologica Bulgarica}, volume = {72}, number = {3}, pages = {499--500}, abstract = {The lobate ctenophore Leucothea multicornis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) was recorded off Kefalonia Is- land, Greece, in July 2019. This new record, in the Eastern Ionian Sea, fills distribution gaps between the central Mediterranean basin and the Levantine Sea.}, note = {BIODIV}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The lobate ctenophore Leucothea multicornis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) was recorded off Kefalonia Is- land, Greece, in July 2019. This new record, in the Eastern Ionian Sea, fills distribution gaps between the central Mediterranean basin and the Levantine Sea. |
Çinar, Melih Ertan; Féral, Jean‐Pierre; Arvanitidis, Christos; David, Romain; Taşkin, Ergün; Sini, Maria; Dailianis, Thanos; Doğan, Alper; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Evcen, Alper; Chenuil, Anne; Dağli, Ertan; Aysel, Veysel; Issaris, Yannis; Bakir, Kerem; Nalmpantı, Melina; Sartoretto, Stephane; Salomidi, Maria; Sapouna, Anastasia; Açik, Sermin; Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Koutsoubas, Drosos; Katağan, Tuncer; Öztürk, Bilal; Koçak, Ferah; Erdogan‐Dereli, Deniz; Önen, Senem; Özgen, Özge; Türkçü, Neslihan; Kirkim, Fevzi; Önen, Mesut Coralligenous assemblages along their geographical distribution: Testing of concepts and implications for management Journal Article Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 30 , pp. 1578–1594, 2020, ISSN: 1052-7613, 1099-0755. @article{cinar_coralligenous_2020, title = {Coralligenous assemblages along their geographical distribution: Testing of concepts and implications for management}, author = {Melih Ertan Çinar and Jean‐Pierre Féral and Christos Arvanitidis and Romain David and Ergün Taşkin and Maria Sini and Thanos Dailianis and Alper Doğan and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Alper Evcen and Anne Chenuil and Ertan Dağli and Veysel Aysel and Yannis Issaris and Kerem Bakir and Melina Nalmpantı and Stephane Sartoretto and Maria Salomidi and Anastasia Sapouna and Sermin Açik and Charalampos Dimitriadis and Drosos Koutsoubas and Tuncer Katağan and Bilal Öztürk and Ferah Koçak and Deniz Erdogan‐Dereli and Senem Önen and Özge Özgen and Neslihan Türkçü and Fevzi Kirkim and Mesut Önen}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aqc.3365}, doi = {10.1002/aqc.3365}, issn = {1052-7613, 1099-0755}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-06-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems}, volume = {30}, pages = {1578--1594}, abstract = {1. The coralligenous habitat was studied at the large Mediterranean scale, by applying a standardized, non‐destructive photo‐sampling protocol, developed in the framework of the CIGESMED project. 2. The results provided evidence to support the following statements: (a) the assemblage pattern is not homogeneously distributed across the four Mediterranean ecoregions studied (biotic gradients hypothesis); and (b) the assemblage pattern does not change significantly when the information is aggregated to higher taxonomic levels (taxonomic sufficiency hypothesis). 3. Surrogate taxonomic categories higher than species, such as genus and family, can be used to reveal the multivariate pattern of the coralligenous assemblages. 4. Although preliminary at the pan‐Mediterranean scale, these outcomes set the scene for future comparisons as more data sets become available but also for comparisons between taxonomic and functional patterns.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } 1. The coralligenous habitat was studied at the large Mediterranean scale, by applying a standardized, non‐destructive photo‐sampling protocol, developed in the framework of the CIGESMED project. 2. The results provided evidence to support the following statements: (a) the assemblage pattern is not homogeneously distributed across the four Mediterranean ecoregions studied (biotic gradients hypothesis); and (b) the assemblage pattern does not change significantly when the information is aggregated to higher taxonomic levels (taxonomic sufficiency hypothesis). 3. Surrogate taxonomic categories higher than species, such as genus and family, can be used to reveal the multivariate pattern of the coralligenous assemblages. 4. Although preliminary at the pan‐Mediterranean scale, these outcomes set the scene for future comparisons as more data sets become available but also for comparisons between taxonomic and functional patterns. |
Katsanevakis, Stelios; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Hoffman, Razy; Rizgalla, Jamila; Rothman, Shevy Bat-Sheva; Levitt-Barmats, Ya’arit; Hadjioannou, Louis; Trkov, Domen; Garmendia, Joxe Mikel; Rizzo, Miraine; Bartolo, Angela G; Bariche, Michel; Tomas, Fiona; Kleitou, Periklis; Schembri, Patrick J; Kletou, Demetris; Tiralongo, Francesco; Pergent, Christine; Pergent, Gérard; Azzurro, Ernesto; Bilecenoglu, Murat; Lodola, Alice; Ballesteros, Enric; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Verlaque, Marc; Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna; Kytinou, Eleni; Dailianis, Thanos; Ferrario, Jasmine; Crocetta, Fabio; Jimenez, Carlos; Evans, Julian; Ragkousis, Michail; Lipej, Lovrenc; Borg, Joseph A; Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos; Albano, Paolo G; Kalogirou, Stefanos; Bazairi, Hocein; Espinosa, Free; Souissi, Jamila Ben; Tsiamis, Konstantinos; Badalamenti, Fabio; Langeneck, Joachim; Noel, Pierre; Deidun, Alan; Marchini, Agnese; Skouradakis, Grigorios; Royo, Laura; Sini, Maria; Bianchi, Carlo Nike; Sghaier, Yassine-Ramzi; Ghanem, Raouia; Doumpas, Nikos; Zaouali, Jeanne; Tsirintanis, Konstantinos; Papadakis, Orestis; Morri, Carla; Çinar, Melih Ertan; Terrados, Jorge; Insacco, Gianni; Zava, Bruno; Soufi-Kechaou, Emna; Piazzi, Luigi; Amor, Khadija Ounifi Ben; Andriotis, Emmanouil; Gambi, Maria Cristina; Amor, Mohamed Mourad Ben; Garrabou, Joaquim; Linares, Cristina; Fortič, Ana; Digenis, Markos; Cebrian, Emma; Fourt, Maïa; Zotou, Maria; Castriota, Luca; Martino, Vincenzo Di; Rosso, Antonietta; Pipitone, Carlo; Falautano, Manuela; García, María; Zakhama-Sraieb, Rym; Khamassi, Faten; Mannino, Anna Maria; Ktari, Mohamed Hédi; Kosma, Ioanna; Rifi, Mouna; Karachle, Paraskevi K; Yapıcı, Sercan; Bos, Arthur R; Balistreri, Paolo; Ramos-Esplá, Alfonso A; Tempesti, Jonathan; Inglese, Omar; Giovos, Ioannis; Damalas, Dimitrios; Benhissoune, Said; Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih; Rjiba-Bahri, Wafa; Santamaría, Jorge; Orlando-Bonaca, Martina; Muñoz, Andrés Izquierdo; Stamouli, Caterina; Montefalcone, Monica; Cerim, Hasan; Golo, Raül; Tsioli, Soultana; Orfanidis, Sotiris; Michailidis, Nikolas; Gaglioti, Martina; Taşkın, Ergün; Mancuso, Emilio; Žunec, Ante; Cvitković, Ivan; Filiz, Halit; Sanfilippo, Rossana; Siapatis, Apostolos; Mavrič, Borut; Karaa, Sami; Türker, Ali; Monniot, Françoise; Verdura, Jana; Ouamari, Najib El; Selfati, Mohamed; Zenetos, Argyro Unpublished Mediterranean records of marine alien and cryptogenic species Journal Article BioInvasions Records, 9 (2), pp. 165–182, 2020. @article{katsanevakis_unpublished_2020, title = {Unpublished Mediterranean records of marine alien and cryptogenic species}, author = {Stelios Katsanevakis and Dimitris Poursanidis and Razy Hoffman and Jamila Rizgalla and Shevy Bat-Sheva Rothman and Ya’arit Levitt-Barmats and Louis Hadjioannou and Domen Trkov and Joxe Mikel Garmendia and Miraine Rizzo and Angela G Bartolo and Michel Bariche and Fiona Tomas and Periklis Kleitou and Patrick J Schembri and Demetris Kletou and Francesco Tiralongo and Christine Pergent and Gérard Pergent and Ernesto Azzurro and Murat Bilecenoglu and Alice Lodola and Enric Ballesteros and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Marc Verlaque and Anna Occhipinti-Ambrogi and Eleni Kytinou and Thanos Dailianis and Jasmine Ferrario and Fabio Crocetta and Carlos Jimenez and Julian Evans and Michail Ragkousis and Lovrenc Lipej and Joseph A Borg and Charalampos Dimitriadis and Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou and Paolo G Albano and Stefanos Kalogirou and Hocein Bazairi and Free Espinosa and Jamila Ben Souissi and Konstantinos Tsiamis and Fabio Badalamenti and Joachim Langeneck and Pierre Noel and Alan Deidun and Agnese Marchini and Grigorios Skouradakis and Laura Royo and Maria Sini and Carlo Nike Bianchi and Yassine-Ramzi Sghaier and Raouia Ghanem and Nikos Doumpas and Jeanne Zaouali and Konstantinos Tsirintanis and Orestis Papadakis and Carla Morri and Melih Ertan Çinar and Jorge Terrados and Gianni Insacco and Bruno Zava and Emna Soufi-Kechaou and Luigi Piazzi and Khadija Ounifi Ben Amor and Emmanouil Andriotis and Maria Cristina Gambi and Mohamed Mourad Ben Amor and Joaquim Garrabou and Cristina Linares and Ana Fortič and Markos Digenis and Emma Cebrian and Maïa Fourt and Maria Zotou and Luca Castriota and Vincenzo Di Martino and Antonietta Rosso and Carlo Pipitone and Manuela Falautano and María García and Rym Zakhama-Sraieb and Faten Khamassi and Anna Maria Mannino and Mohamed Hédi Ktari and Ioanna Kosma and Mouna Rifi and Paraskevi K Karachle and Sercan Yapıcı and Arthur R Bos and Paolo Balistreri and Alfonso A Ramos-Esplá and Jonathan Tempesti and Omar Inglese and Ioannis Giovos and Dimitrios Damalas and Said Benhissoune and Mehmet Fatih Huseyinoglu and Wafa Rjiba-Bahri and Jorge Santamaría and Martina Orlando-Bonaca and Andrés Izquierdo Muñoz and Caterina Stamouli and Monica Montefalcone and Hasan Cerim and Raül Golo and Soultana Tsioli and Sotiris Orfanidis and Nikolas Michailidis and Martina Gaglioti and Ergün Taşkın and Emilio Mancuso and Ante Žunec and Ivan Cvitković and Halit Filiz and Rossana Sanfilippo and Apostolos Siapatis and Borut Mavrič and Sami Karaa and Ali Türker and Françoise Monniot and Jana Verdura and Najib El Ouamari and Mohamed Selfati and Argyro Zenetos}, url = {https://www.reabic.net/journals/bir/2020/2/BIR_2020_Katsanevakis_etal.pdf}, doi = {10.3391/bir.2020.9.2.01}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-04-01}, journal = {BioInvasions Records}, volume = {9}, number = {2}, pages = {165--182}, abstract = {Good datasets of geo-referenced records of alien species are a prerequisite for assessing the spatio-temporal dynamics of biological invasions, their invasive potential, and the magnitude of their impacts. However, with the exception of first records on a country level or wider regions, observations of species presence tend to remain unpublished, buried in scattered repositories or in the personal databases of experts. Through an initiative to collect, harmonize and make such unpublished data for marine alien and cryptogenic species in the Mediterranean Sea available, a large dataset comprising 5376 records was created. It includes records of 239 alien or cryptogenic taxa (192 Animalia, 24 Plantae, 23 Chromista) from 19 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. In terms of records, the most reported Phyla in descending order were Chordata, Mollusca, Chlorophyta, Arthropoda, and Rhodophyta. The most recorded species was Caulerpa cylindracea, followed by Siganus luridus, Magallana sp. (cf. gigas or angulata) and Pterois miles. The dataset includes records from 1972 to 2020, with the highest number of records observed in 2018. Among the records of the dataset, Dictyota acutiloba is a first record for the Mediterranean Sea. Nine first country records are also included: the alga Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla, the cube boxfish Ostracion cubicus, and the cleaner shrimp Urocaridella pulchella from Israel; the sponge Paraleucilla magna from Libya and Slovenia; the lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus from Cyprus; the bryozoan Celleporaria vermiformis and the polychaetes Prionospio depauperata and Notomastus aberans from Malta.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Good datasets of geo-referenced records of alien species are a prerequisite for assessing the spatio-temporal dynamics of biological invasions, their invasive potential, and the magnitude of their impacts. However, with the exception of first records on a country level or wider regions, observations of species presence tend to remain unpublished, buried in scattered repositories or in the personal databases of experts. Through an initiative to collect, harmonize and make such unpublished data for marine alien and cryptogenic species in the Mediterranean Sea available, a large dataset comprising 5376 records was created. It includes records of 239 alien or cryptogenic taxa (192 Animalia, 24 Plantae, 23 Chromista) from 19 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. In terms of records, the most reported Phyla in descending order were Chordata, Mollusca, Chlorophyta, Arthropoda, and Rhodophyta. The most recorded species was Caulerpa cylindracea, followed by Siganus luridus, Magallana sp. (cf. gigas or angulata) and Pterois miles. The dataset includes records from 1972 to 2020, with the highest number of records observed in 2018. Among the records of the dataset, Dictyota acutiloba is a first record for the Mediterranean Sea. Nine first country records are also included: the alga Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla, the cube boxfish Ostracion cubicus, and the cleaner shrimp Urocaridella pulchella from Israel; the sponge Paraleucilla magna from Libya and Slovenia; the lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus from Cyprus; the bryozoan Celleporaria vermiformis and the polychaetes Prionospio depauperata and Notomastus aberans from Malta. |
Bariche, Michel; Al-Mabruk, Sara A A; Ateş, Maria Ayca; Büyük, Adnan; Crocetta, Fabio; Dritsas, Michail; Edde, Diala; Fortič, Ana; Gavriil, Elissavet; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Gökoğlu, Mehmet; Huseyinoglu, Fatih M; Karachle, Paraskevi K; Kleitou, Periklis; Kurt, Tuba Terbiyik; Langeneck, Joachim; Lardicci, Claudio; Lipej, Lovrenc; Pavloudi, Christina; Pinna, Maurizio; Rizgalla, Jamila; Özen, Mehmet Rüştü; Sedano, Francisco; Taşkin, Ergun; Yildiz, Gamze; Zangaro, Francesco New Alien Mediterranean Biodiversity Records 2020 Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 21 (1), pp. 129, 2020, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{bariche_new_2020, title = {New Alien Mediterranean Biodiversity Records 2020}, author = {Michel Bariche and Sara A A Al-Mabruk and Maria Ayca Ateş and Adnan Büyük and Fabio Crocetta and Michail Dritsas and Diala Edde and Ana Fortič and Elissavet Gavriil and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Mehmet Gökoğlu and Fatih M Huseyinoglu and Paraskevi K Karachle and Periklis Kleitou and Tuba Terbiyik Kurt and Joachim Langeneck and Claudio Lardicci and Lovrenc Lipej and Christina Pavloudi and Maurizio Pinna and Jamila Rizgalla and Mehmet Rüştü Özen and Francisco Sedano and Ergun Taşkin and Gamze Yildiz and Francesco Zangaro}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/21987}, doi = {10.12681/mms.21987}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {21}, number = {1}, pages = {129}, abstract = {The current article presents 18 new records from seven Mediterranean countries. These records include one rhodophyte, fournudibranchs, two crustaceans, one stingray and 10 bony fishes. They are grouped by country as follows: Lebanon - first record ofthe Striped bass Morone saxatilis, the stingray Himantura leoparda, the Areolate grouper Epinephelus areolatus and the Spot-finporcupinefish Diodon hystrix from various parts of the country; Turkey - first record of the invasive red alga Grateloupia turuturufrom the sea of Marmara (region of Bandırma), the sea slug Goniobranchus obsoletus and the crab Arcania brevifrons from theGulf of Antalya and the cladoceran Pleopis schmackeri from several locations along the Aegean Sea; Cyprus - first record of thealien sea slug Berthellina citrina from the region of Cape Greco and an observation of a butterflyfish Heniochus sp. from the northeasternside of the island; Greece - first record of the alien sea slug Anteaeolidiella lurana from the region of Heraklion in Creteand the record of the Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber and the Black surgeonfish Acanthurus cfr gahhm from SalaminaIsland; Slovenia - first record of the alien sea slug Thecacera pennigera from Izola; Italy - first record of the hybrid Striped bass(Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops) from the northern Tyrrhenian Sea and a first record of the goldfish Carassius auratus fromthe region of Apulia; Libya - first record of the Red Sea goatfish Parupeneus forsskali and the African surgeonfish Acanthurusmonroviae, respectively from the eastern (Al-Tamimi area) and the western shore (Al-Khums area).}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The current article presents 18 new records from seven Mediterranean countries. These records include one rhodophyte, fournudibranchs, two crustaceans, one stingray and 10 bony fishes. They are grouped by country as follows: Lebanon - first record ofthe Striped bass Morone saxatilis, the stingray Himantura leoparda, the Areolate grouper Epinephelus areolatus and the Spot-finporcupinefish Diodon hystrix from various parts of the country; Turkey - first record of the invasive red alga Grateloupia turuturufrom the sea of Marmara (region of Bandırma), the sea slug Goniobranchus obsoletus and the crab Arcania brevifrons from theGulf of Antalya and the cladoceran Pleopis schmackeri from several locations along the Aegean Sea; Cyprus - first record of thealien sea slug Berthellina citrina from the region of Cape Greco and an observation of a butterflyfish Heniochus sp. from the northeasternside of the island; Greece - first record of the alien sea slug Anteaeolidiella lurana from the region of Heraklion in Creteand the record of the Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber and the Black surgeonfish Acanthurus cfr gahhm from SalaminaIsland; Slovenia - first record of the alien sea slug Thecacera pennigera from Izola; Italy - first record of the hybrid Striped bass(Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops) from the northern Tyrrhenian Sea and a first record of the goldfish Carassius auratus fromthe region of Apulia; Libya - first record of the Red Sea goatfish Parupeneus forsskali and the African surgeonfish Acanthurusmonroviae, respectively from the eastern (Al-Tamimi area) and the western shore (Al-Khums area). |
Katsanevakis, Stelios; Tsirintanis, Konstantinos; Sini, Maria; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Koukourouvli, Nikoletta Aliens in the Aegean – a sea under siege (ALAS) Journal Article Research Ideas and Outcomes, 6 , pp. e53057, 2020, ISSN: 2367-7163. @article{katsanevakis_aliens_2020, title = {Aliens in the Aegean – a sea under siege (ALAS)}, author = {Stelios Katsanevakis and Konstantinos Tsirintanis and Maria Sini and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nikoletta Koukourouvli}, url = {https://riojournal.com/article/53057/}, doi = {10.3897/rio.6.e53057}, issn = {2367-7163}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Research Ideas and Outcomes}, volume = {6}, pages = {e53057}, abstract = {ALAS aims to fill knowledge gaps on the impacts of marine alien species in the Aegean Sea, and support marine managers and policy makers in prioritizing mitigation actions. The project will focus on under-studied alien-native interactions, priority and vulnerable habitats (such as shallow forests of canopy algae and underwater caves), and apply a multitude of approaches. It will apply a standardized, quantitative method for mapping Cumulative IMpacts of invasive Alien species on marine ecosystems (CIMPAL), according to which cumulative impact scores are estimated on the basis of the distributions of invasive species and ecosystems, and both the reported magnitude of ecological impacts and the strength of such evidence. Towards that direction, ALAS will improve our knowledge base and compile the needed information to estimate CIMPAL by (1) conducting a series of field experiments and surveys to investigate the impacts of selected invasive alien species on marine habitats, (2) producing high-resolution habitat maps in the coastal zone, refining the results of previous research efforts through fieldwork, remote sensing and satellite imaging, (3) producing species distribution models for all invasive species, based on extensive underwater surveys for the collection of new data and integrating all existing information. ALAS will incorporate skills and analyses in novel ways and provide high-resolution results at a large scale; couple classic and novel tools and follow a trans-disciplinary approach, combining knowledge from the fields of invasion biology, conservation biology, biogeography, fisheries science, marine ecology, remote sensing, statistical modelling; conduct for the first time in the Aegean Sea a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of cumulative impacts of invasive alien species; and report results in formats appropriate for decision-makers and society, thus transferring research-based knowledge to inform and influence policy decisions.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } ALAS aims to fill knowledge gaps on the impacts of marine alien species in the Aegean Sea, and support marine managers and policy makers in prioritizing mitigation actions. The project will focus on under-studied alien-native interactions, priority and vulnerable habitats (such as shallow forests of canopy algae and underwater caves), and apply a multitude of approaches. It will apply a standardized, quantitative method for mapping Cumulative IMpacts of invasive Alien species on marine ecosystems (CIMPAL), according to which cumulative impact scores are estimated on the basis of the distributions of invasive species and ecosystems, and both the reported magnitude of ecological impacts and the strength of such evidence. Towards that direction, ALAS will improve our knowledge base and compile the needed information to estimate CIMPAL by (1) conducting a series of field experiments and surveys to investigate the impacts of selected invasive alien species on marine habitats, (2) producing high-resolution habitat maps in the coastal zone, refining the results of previous research efforts through fieldwork, remote sensing and satellite imaging, (3) producing species distribution models for all invasive species, based on extensive underwater surveys for the collection of new data and integrating all existing information. ALAS will incorporate skills and analyses in novel ways and provide high-resolution results at a large scale; couple classic and novel tools and follow a trans-disciplinary approach, combining knowledge from the fields of invasion biology, conservation biology, biogeography, fisheries science, marine ecology, remote sensing, statistical modelling; conduct for the first time in the Aegean Sea a comprehensive, high-resolution analysis of cumulative impacts of invasive alien species; and report results in formats appropriate for decision-makers and society, thus transferring research-based knowledge to inform and influence policy decisions. |
Bevilacqua, Stanislao; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Micheli, Fiorenza; Sala, Enric; Rilov, Gil; Sarà, Gianluca; Malak, Dania Abdul; Abdulla, Ameer; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Gissi, Elena; Mazaris, Antonios D; Pipitone, Carlo; Sini, Maria; Stelzenmüller, Vanessa; Terlizzi, Antonio; Todorova, Valentina; Fraschetti, Simonetta The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 7 , pp. 475, 2020, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{bevilacqua_status_2020, title = {The Status of Coastal Benthic Ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea: Evidence From Ecological Indicators}, author = {Stanislao Bevilacqua and Stelios Katsanevakis and Fiorenza Micheli and Enric Sala and Gil Rilov and Gianluca Sarà and Dania Abdul Malak and Ameer Abdulla and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Elena Gissi and Antonios D Mazaris and Carlo Pipitone and Maria Sini and Vanessa Stelzenmüller and Antonio Terlizzi and Valentina Todorova and Simonetta Fraschetti}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2020.00475}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2020.00475}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {7}, pages = {475}, abstract = {The Mediterranean Sea is subject to multiple human pressures increasingly threatening its unique biodiversity. Spatially explicit information on the ecological status of marine ecosystems is therefore key to an effective maritime spatial planning and management, and to help the achievement of environmental targets. Here, we summarized scientific data on the ecological status of a selection of marine ecosystems based on a set of ecological indicators in more than 700 sites of the Mediterranean Sea. For Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, rocky intertidal fringe, and coastal soft bottoms, more than 70% of investigated sites exhibited good to high ecological conditions. In contrast, about two-thirds of sites for subtidal rocky reefs were classified to be in moderate to bad conditions, stressing the need for prioritizing conservation initiatives on these productive and diverse environments. Very little quantitative information was available for the southern Mediterranean Sea, thus monitoring programs and assessments in this area are essential for a representative assessment of the health of marine coastal ecosystems in the whole basin. This overview represents a first step to implement a baseline that, through georeferenced data on ecological status, could help identifying information gaps, directing future research priorities, and supporting improvements to spatial models of expected cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The Mediterranean Sea is subject to multiple human pressures increasingly threatening its unique biodiversity. Spatially explicit information on the ecological status of marine ecosystems is therefore key to an effective maritime spatial planning and management, and to help the achievement of environmental targets. Here, we summarized scientific data on the ecological status of a selection of marine ecosystems based on a set of ecological indicators in more than 700 sites of the Mediterranean Sea. For Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds, rocky intertidal fringe, and coastal soft bottoms, more than 70% of investigated sites exhibited good to high ecological conditions. In contrast, about two-thirds of sites for subtidal rocky reefs were classified to be in moderate to bad conditions, stressing the need for prioritizing conservation initiatives on these productive and diverse environments. Very little quantitative information was available for the southern Mediterranean Sea, thus monitoring programs and assessments in this area are essential for a representative assessment of the health of marine coastal ecosystems in the whole basin. This overview represents a first step to implement a baseline that, through georeferenced data on ecological status, could help identifying information gaps, directing future research priorities, and supporting improvements to spatial models of expected cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems. |
Koulouri, Panayota; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas; Dounas, Costas Tanaidacea of Greece: a preliminary checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 8 , pp. e47184, 2020, ISSN: 1314-2836, (Publisher: Pensoft Publishers _eprint: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e47184). @article{koulouri_tanaidacea_2020, title = {Tanaidacea of Greece: a preliminary checklist}, author = {Panayota Koulouri and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly and Costas Dounas}, url = {https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e47184}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.8.e47184}, issn = {1314-2836}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {8}, pages = {e47184}, note = {Publisher: Pensoft Publishers _eprint: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e47184}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Koulouri, Panayota; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas; Dounas, Costas Stomatopoda of Greece: an annotated checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 8 , pp. e47183, 2020, ISSN: 1314-2836, (Publisher: Pensoft Publishers _eprint: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e47183). @article{koulouri_stomatopoda_2020, title = {Stomatopoda of Greece: an annotated checklist}, author = {Panayota Koulouri and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly and Costas Dounas}, url = {https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e47183}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.8.e47183}, issn = {1314-2836}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {8}, pages = {e47183}, note = {Publisher: Pensoft Publishers _eprint: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e47183}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Akyol, Okan; Al-Hosne, Zinah; Rasheed, Reem Alshikh; Ataç, Eylul; Bello, Giambatista; Ćetković, Ilija; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Crocetta, Fabio; Denitto, Francesco; Guidetti, Paolo; Gül, Benal; Insacco, Gianni; Jimenez, Carlos; Licchelli, Cataldo; Lipej, Lovrenc; Lombardo, Andrea; Mancini, Emanuele; Marletta, Giuliana; Michailidis, Nikolas; Pešić, Ana; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Refes, Wahid; Sahraoui, Hamza; Thasitis, Ioannis; Tiralongo, Francesco; Tosunoğlu, Zafer; Trkov, Domen; Vazzana, Angleo; Zava, Bruno New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea (May 2020) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 21 (2), pp. 340–359, 2020, ISSN: 1791-6763. @article{gerovasileiou_new_2020, title = {New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea (May 2020)}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Okan Akyol and Zinah Al-Hosne and Reem Alshikh Rasheed and Eylul Ataç and Giambatista Bello and Ilija Ćetković and Maria Corsini-Foka and Fabio Crocetta and Francesco Denitto and Paolo Guidetti and Benal Gül and Gianni Insacco and Carlos Jimenez and Cataldo Licchelli and Lovrenc Lipej and Andrea Lombardo and Emanuele Mancini and Giuliana Marletta and Nikolas Michailidis and Ana Pešić and Dimitris Poursanidis and Wahid Refes and Hamza Sahraoui and Ioannis Thasitis and Francesco Tiralongo and Zafer Tosunoğlu and Domen Trkov and Angleo Vazzana and Bruno Zava}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/22148}, doi = {10.12681/mms.22148}, issn = {1791-6763}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {21}, number = {2}, pages = {340--359}, abstract = {This Collective Article presents information about 17 taxa belonging to four Phyla (one Cnidaria, two Arthropoda, four Mollusca, and ten Chordata) and extending from the Western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. The new records were reported from nine countries as follows: Algeria: first published records of the clingfishes Apletodon dentatus and Lepadogaster lepadogaster after 1955; France: first record of the tripletail Lobotes surinamensis in French Mediterranean waters; Italy: new records of the rare bonito Orcynopsis unicolor and the recently described nudibranch Elysia rubeni from Sicily; first records of the parasitic cirriped Sacculina eriphiae and the nudibranch Dondice trainitoi in the Ionian Sea; first record of the nudibranch Taringa tritorquis in the Mediterranean Sea; first record of the tripletail Lobotes surinamensis in the North Ionian Sea; first documented record of the cephalopod Macrotritopus defilippi in the Adriatic Sea; Slovenia: first record of the Mediterranean endemic cryptobenthic goby Odondebuenia balearica; Montenegro: several recent occurrences of the critically endangered bull ray Aetomylaeus bovinus in the South-eastern Adriatic Sea; Greece: records of the nudibranch Dondice trainitoi in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea; new record of the occurrence of the Mediterranean spearfish Tetrapturus belone from Greece (Rhodes Island); Turkey: recent captures of the vulnerable ocean sunfish Mola mola, caught by purse-seine, in the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles; new record of the luvar Luvarus imperialis along the Aegean coast of Turkey; Cyprus: first record of the habitat-forming hydroid Lytocarpia myriophyllum, often in considerable densities; first confirmed record of the agujon needlefish Tylosurus imperialis; Syria: first record of the decapod Ethusa mascarone.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This Collective Article presents information about 17 taxa belonging to four Phyla (one Cnidaria, two Arthropoda, four Mollusca, and ten Chordata) and extending from the Western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. The new records were reported from nine countries as follows: Algeria: first published records of the clingfishes Apletodon dentatus and Lepadogaster lepadogaster after 1955; France: first record of the tripletail Lobotes surinamensis in French Mediterranean waters; Italy: new records of the rare bonito Orcynopsis unicolor and the recently described nudibranch Elysia rubeni from Sicily; first records of the parasitic cirriped Sacculina eriphiae and the nudibranch Dondice trainitoi in the Ionian Sea; first record of the nudibranch Taringa tritorquis in the Mediterranean Sea; first record of the tripletail Lobotes surinamensis in the North Ionian Sea; first documented record of the cephalopod Macrotritopus defilippi in the Adriatic Sea; Slovenia: first record of the Mediterranean endemic cryptobenthic goby Odondebuenia balearica; Montenegro: several recent occurrences of the critically endangered bull ray Aetomylaeus bovinus in the South-eastern Adriatic Sea; Greece: records of the nudibranch Dondice trainitoi in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea; new record of the occurrence of the Mediterranean spearfish Tetrapturus belone from Greece (Rhodes Island); Turkey: recent captures of the vulnerable ocean sunfish Mola mola, caught by purse-seine, in the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles; new record of the luvar Luvarus imperialis along the Aegean coast of Turkey; Cyprus: first record of the habitat-forming hydroid Lytocarpia myriophyllum, often in considerable densities; first confirmed record of the agujon needlefish Tylosurus imperialis; Syria: first record of the decapod Ethusa mascarone. |
Rosso, A; Martino, Di E; Gerovasileiou, V Zootaxa, 4728 (4), pp. 401–442, 2020, ISSN: 1175-5334, 1175-5326. @article{rosso_revision_2020, title = {Revision of the genus Setosella (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) with description of new species from deep-waters and submarine caves of the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {A Rosso and Di E Martino and V Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4728.4.1}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4728.4.1}, issn = {1175-5334, 1175-5326}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4728}, number = {4}, pages = {401--442}, abstract = {The genus Setosella included to date six species. After revision, only four of these species were retained, i.e. S. vulnerata, S. cavernicola, S. folini and S. spiralis. The remaining two species were tentatively placed in Woodipora, W.? antilleana n. comb., and Andreella, A.? fragilis n. comb. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy examination of Mediterranean material, revealed the presence of three new species previously included in species complexes: S. cyclopensis n. sp. from the open-shelf, S. rossanae n. sp. from submarine caves, and S. alfioi n. sp. from deep-waters. The diagnosis of the genus was amended to include the occurrence of kenozooids in S. cyclopensis n. sp. and S. cavernicola, and of free-living ring-shaped and scorpioid colonies in S. folini and S. alfioi n. sp. All the seven species n 1ow in Setosella have present-day representatives; the geographic distribution of the genus 1sinian of southern Italy and insular Greece, with only three species occasionally and discontinuously reported. All species are able to produce numerous, subsequent intramural buds and morphological differences seem to be consistently associated with exploitation of particular habitats and substrata.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The genus Setosella included to date six species. After revision, only four of these species were retained, i.e. S. vulnerata, S. cavernicola, S. folini and S. spiralis. The remaining two species were tentatively placed in Woodipora, W.? antilleana n. comb., and Andreella, A.? fragilis n. comb. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy examination of Mediterranean material, revealed the presence of three new species previously included in species complexes: S. cyclopensis n. sp. from the open-shelf, S. rossanae n. sp. from submarine caves, and S. alfioi n. sp. from deep-waters. The diagnosis of the genus was amended to include the occurrence of kenozooids in S. cyclopensis n. sp. and S. cavernicola, and of free-living ring-shaped and scorpioid colonies in S. folini and S. alfioi n. sp. All the seven species n 1ow in Setosella have present-day representatives; the geographic distribution of the genus 1sinian of southern Italy and insular Greece, with only three species occasionally and discontinuously reported. All species are able to produce numerous, subsequent intramural buds and morphological differences seem to be consistently associated with exploitation of particular habitats and substrata. |
2019 |
Dragičević, Branco; Anadoli, Olga; Angel, Dror; Benabdi, Mouloud; Bitar, Ghazi; Castriota, Luca; Crocetta, Fabio; Deidun, Alan; Dulčić, Jakov; Edelist, Dor; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Giacobbe, Salvatore; Goruppi, Alenka; Guy-Haim, Tamar; Konstantinidis, Evangelos; Kuplik, Zafrir; Langeneck, Joachim; Macali, Armando; Manitaras, Ioannis; Michailidis, Nikolas; Michaloudi, Evangelia; Ovalis, Panayotis; Perdikaris, Costas; Pillon, Roberto; Piraino, Stefano; Renda, Walter; Rizgalla, Jamila; Spinelli, Andrea; Tempesti, Jonathan; Tiralongo, Francesco; Tirelli, Valentina; Tsiamis, Konstantinos; Turan, Cemal; Uygur, Necdet; Zava, Bruno; Zenetos, Argyro New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records 2019 Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 20 (3), pp. 645, 2019, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{dragicevic_new_2019, title = {New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records 2019}, author = {Branco Dragičević and Olga Anadoli and Dror Angel and Mouloud Benabdi and Ghazi Bitar and Luca Castriota and Fabio Crocetta and Alan Deidun and Jakov Dulčić and Dor Edelist and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Salvatore Giacobbe and Alenka Goruppi and Tamar Guy-Haim and Evangelos Konstantinidis and Zafrir Kuplik and Joachim Langeneck and Armando Macali and Ioannis Manitaras and Nikolas Michailidis and Evangelia Michaloudi and Panayotis Ovalis and Costas Perdikaris and Roberto Pillon and Stefano Piraino and Walter Renda and Jamila Rizgalla and Andrea Spinelli and Jonathan Tempesti and Francesco Tiralongo and Valentina Tirelli and Konstantinos Tsiamis and Cemal Turan and Necdet Uygur and Bruno Zava and Argyro Zenetos}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/20913}, doi = {10.12681/mms.20913}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-12-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {20}, number = {3}, pages = {645}, abstract = {This paper is a collection of novel distributional records of 20 species belonging to 8 phyla (Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Chordata) from 11 Mediterranean countries, namely, Spain: an additional record of the Canary dentex Dentex canariensis is reported from Spain (Valencia), this is the northernmost record of this species in the Mediterranean; Algeria: the first documented record of Caulerpa chemnitzia is reported from the Algerian coast; France: the first record of the Spotted sea hare Aplysia dactylomela is reported from the eastern coast of Corsica; Italy: the first records of the Lessepsian polychaete Dorvillea similis and the alien bivalve Isognomon legumen are reported from Italian waters while additional records of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the south Adriatic are provided; Libya: the first record of an alien mollusc Crepidula fornicata is reported from Libyan waters; Malta: multiple sightings of gelatinous species Apolemia uvaria, Phacellophora camtschatica and Physophora hydrostatica are reported for the first time from Maltese waters, as well as the first tentative record of the Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus cfr. coioides; Greece: an occurrence of a rare Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus is reported from Hellenic Ionian waters, while the first records of the alien Mertens’ prawn-goby Vanderhorstia mertensi, the recently described cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae and the alien red seaweed Asparagopsis armata are reported from the Aegean Sea. The presence of the micromollusc Euthymella colzumensis is confirmed for Greece; Cyprus: the first record of the red cornetfish Fistularia petimba is reported from Cyprus; Turkey: the first record of the alien jellyfish Marivagia stellata is reported from south-eastern Turkey; Israel: the first records of the sea nettle Chrysaora sp. in the Levant are reported.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper is a collection of novel distributional records of 20 species belonging to 8 phyla (Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda and Chordata) from 11 Mediterranean countries, namely, Spain: an additional record of the Canary dentex Dentex canariensis is reported from Spain (Valencia), this is the northernmost record of this species in the Mediterranean; Algeria: the first documented record of Caulerpa chemnitzia is reported from the Algerian coast; France: the first record of the Spotted sea hare Aplysia dactylomela is reported from the eastern coast of Corsica; Italy: the first records of the Lessepsian polychaete Dorvillea similis and the alien bivalve Isognomon legumen are reported from Italian waters while additional records of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the south Adriatic are provided; Libya: the first record of an alien mollusc Crepidula fornicata is reported from Libyan waters; Malta: multiple sightings of gelatinous species Apolemia uvaria, Phacellophora camtschatica and Physophora hydrostatica are reported for the first time from Maltese waters, as well as the first tentative record of the Orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus cfr. coioides; Greece: an occurrence of a rare Bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus is reported from Hellenic Ionian waters, while the first records of the alien Mertens’ prawn-goby Vanderhorstia mertensi, the recently described cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae and the alien red seaweed Asparagopsis armata are reported from the Aegean Sea. The presence of the micromollusc Euthymella colzumensis is confirmed for Greece; Cyprus: the first record of the red cornetfish Fistularia petimba is reported from Cyprus; Turkey: the first record of the alien jellyfish Marivagia stellata is reported from south-eastern Turkey; Israel: the first records of the sea nettle Chrysaora sp. in the Levant are reported. |
Guido, Adriano; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Russo, Franco; Rosso, Antonietta; Sanfilippo, Rossana; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Mastandrea, Adelaide Dataset of biogenic crusts from submarine caves of the Aegean Sea: An example of sponges vs microbialites competition in cryptic environments Journal Article Data in Brief, 27 , pp. 104745, 2019, ISSN: 23523409. @article{guido_dataset_2019, title = {Dataset of biogenic crusts from submarine caves of the Aegean Sea: An example of sponges vs microbialites competition in cryptic environments}, author = {Adriano Guido and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Franco Russo and Antonietta Rosso and Rossana Sanfilippo and Eleni Voultsiadou and Adelaide Mastandrea}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S235234091931100X}, doi = {10.1016/j.dib.2019.104745}, issn = {23523409}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-12-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Data in Brief}, volume = {27}, pages = {104745}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Arvanitidis, Christos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Karachle, Paraskevi K; Zenetos, Argyro New horizons for the Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanography & Fisheries Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 20 (4), 2019, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{arvanitidis_new_2019, title = {New horizons for the Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanography & Fisheries}, author = {Christos Arvanitidis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Paraskevi K Karachle and Argyro Zenetos}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/22047}, doi = {10.12681/mms.22047}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-12-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {20}, number = {4}, abstract = {The Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanography andFisheries was firstly launched in Athens, 35 years agosparked by the enthusiasm of the Greek aquatic scientists,massively supported by the voluntary contributionof the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)employees. Over the last three decades, the Symposiumestablished and flourished as the forum for a wide rangeof marine and freshwater disciplines in the country. It becamea tradition to a large audience since it has attractedresearchers, academicians, students, entrepreneurs andthe industry both from Greece and adjacent countries.The initial enthusiasm and support is growing with theinclusion of Universities and other educational/researchinstitutes in the organization scheme.The “12th Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanographyand Fisheries” 1 did not only deliver big changes in itsoperational mode but also opened new horizons to thescientific communities of Greece and adjacent areas. Ithas been a tipping point in this type of events in manyaspects.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanography andFisheries was firstly launched in Athens, 35 years agosparked by the enthusiasm of the Greek aquatic scientists,massively supported by the voluntary contributionof the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)employees. Over the last three decades, the Symposiumestablished and flourished as the forum for a wide rangeof marine and freshwater disciplines in the country. It becamea tradition to a large audience since it has attractedresearchers, academicians, students, entrepreneurs andthe industry both from Greece and adjacent countries.The initial enthusiasm and support is growing with theinclusion of Universities and other educational/researchinstitutes in the organization scheme.The “12th Panhellenic Symposium of Oceanographyand Fisheries” 1 did not only deliver big changes in itsoperational mode but also opened new horizons to thescientific communities of Greece and adjacent areas. Ithas been a tipping point in this type of events in manyaspects. |
Garrabou, Joaquim; Gómez-Gras, Daniel; Ledoux, Jean-Baptiste; Linares, Cristina; Bensoussan, Nathaniel; López-Sendino, Paula; Bazairi, Hocein; Espinosa, Free; Ramdani, Mohamed; Grimes, Samir; Benabdi, Mouloud; Souissi, Jamila Ben; Soufi, Emna; Khamassi, Faten; Ghanem, Raouia; Ocaña, Oscar; Ramos-Esplà, Alfonso; Izquierdo, Andres; Anton, Irene; Rubio-Portillo, Esther; Barbera, Carmen; Cebrian, Emma; Marbà, Nuria; Hendriks, Iris E; Duarte, Carlos M; Deudero, Salud; Díaz, David; Vázquez-Luis, Maite; Alvarez, Elvira; Hereu, Bernat; Kersting, Diego K; Gori, Andrea; Viladrich, Núria; Sartoretto, Stephane; Pairaud, Ivane; Ruitton, Sandrine; Pergent, Gérard; Pergent-Martini, Christine; Rouanet, Elodie; Teixidó, Nuria; Gattuso, Jean-Pierre; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Rivetti, Irene; Azzurro, Ernesto; Cerrano, Carlo; Ponti, Massimo; Turicchia, Eva; Bavestrello, Giorgio; Cattaneo-Vietti, Riccardo; Bo, Marzia; Bertolino, Marco; Montefalcone, Monica; Chimienti, Giovanni; Grech, Daniele; Rilov, Gil; Kizilkaya, Inci Tuney; Kizilkaya, Zafer; Topçu, Nur Eda; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sini, Maria; Bakran-Petricioli, Tatjana; Kipson, Silvija; Harmelin, Jean G Collaborative Database to Track Mass Mortality Events in the Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 6 , pp. 707, 2019, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{garrabou_collaborative_2019, title = {Collaborative Database to Track Mass Mortality Events in the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Joaquim Garrabou and Daniel Gómez-Gras and Jean-Baptiste Ledoux and Cristina Linares and Nathaniel Bensoussan and Paula López-Sendino and Hocein Bazairi and Free Espinosa and Mohamed Ramdani and Samir Grimes and Mouloud Benabdi and Jamila Ben Souissi and Emna Soufi and Faten Khamassi and Raouia Ghanem and Oscar Ocaña and Alfonso Ramos-Esplà and Andres Izquierdo and Irene Anton and Esther Rubio-Portillo and Carmen Barbera and Emma Cebrian and Nuria Marbà and Iris E Hendriks and Carlos M Duarte and Salud Deudero and David Díaz and Maite Vázquez-Luis and Elvira Alvarez and Bernat Hereu and Diego K Kersting and Andrea Gori and Núria Viladrich and Stephane Sartoretto and Ivane Pairaud and Sandrine Ruitton and Gérard Pergent and Christine Pergent-Martini and Elodie Rouanet and Nuria Teixidó and Jean-Pierre Gattuso and Simonetta Fraschetti and Irene Rivetti and Ernesto Azzurro and Carlo Cerrano and Massimo Ponti and Eva Turicchia and Giorgio Bavestrello and Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti and Marzia Bo and Marco Bertolino and Monica Montefalcone and Giovanni Chimienti and Daniele Grech and Gil Rilov and Inci Tuney Kizilkaya and Zafer Kizilkaya and Nur Eda Topçu and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Maria Sini and Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli and Silvija Kipson and Jean G Harmelin}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2019.00707/full}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2019.00707}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-11-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {6}, pages = {707}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Guido, A; Gerovasileiou, V; Russo, F; Rosso, A; Sanfilippo, R; Voultsiadou, E; Mastandrea, A Composition and biostratinomy of sponge-rich biogenic crusts in submarine caves (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean) Journal Article Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 534 , pp. 109338, 2019, ISSN: 00310182. @article{guido_composition_2019, title = {Composition and biostratinomy of sponge-rich biogenic crusts in submarine caves (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean)}, author = {A Guido and V Gerovasileiou and F Russo and A Rosso and R Sanfilippo and E Voultsiadou and A Mastandrea}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031018219305243}, doi = {10.1016/j.palaeo.2019.109338}, issn = {00310182}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-11-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology}, volume = {534}, pages = {109338}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Smith, Christopher J; Sevastou, Katerina; Papadopoulou, Nadia; Dailianis, Thanos; Bekkby, Trine; Fiorentino, Dario; McOwen, Chris J; Amaro, Teresa; Bengil, Elizabeth Grace Tunka; Bilan, Meri; Boström, Christoffer; Carreiro-Silva, Marina; Cebrian, Emma; Cerrano, Carlo; Danovaro, Roberto; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Gagnon, Karine; Gambi, Cristina; Grehan, Anthony; Hereu, Bernat; Kipson, Silvija; Kotta, Jonne; Linares, Cristina; Morato, Telmo; Ojaveer, Henn; Orav-Kotta, Helen; Sarà, Antonio; Scrimgeour, Rachael Habitat mapping in the European Seas - is it fit for purpose in the marine restoration agenda? Journal Article Marine Policy, 106 , pp. 103521, 2019, ISSN: 0308597X. @article{gerovasileiou_habitat_2019, title = {Habitat mapping in the European Seas - is it fit for purpose in the marine restoration agenda?}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Christopher J Smith and Katerina Sevastou and Nadia Papadopoulou and Thanos Dailianis and Trine Bekkby and Dario Fiorentino and Chris J McOwen and Teresa Amaro and Elizabeth Grace Tunka Bengil and Meri Bilan and Christoffer Boström and Marina Carreiro-Silva and Emma Cebrian and Carlo Cerrano and Roberto Danovaro and Simonetta Fraschetti and Karine Gagnon and Cristina Gambi and Anthony Grehan and Bernat Hereu and Silvija Kipson and Jonne Kotta and Cristina Linares and Telmo Morato and Henn Ojaveer and Helen Orav-Kotta and Antonio Sarà and Rachael Scrimgeour}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0308597X18307061}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103521}, issn = {0308597X}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Marine Policy}, volume = {106}, pages = {103521}, abstract = {As habitat mapping is crucially important for developing effective management and restoration plans, the aim of this work was to produce a census of available map resources at the European scale focusing on: a) key marine habitats; b) degraded habitats; c) human activities and pressures acting on degraded habitats, and d) the restoration potential of degraded habitats. Almost half of the 580 map records were derived from grey literature and web resources but contained no georeferenced files for download, thus limiting further use of the data. Biogeographical heterogeneity was observed and varied between the type and quality of information provided. This variability was mainly related to differences in research efforts and stakeholder focus. Habitat degradation was assessed in only 28% of the map records and was mostly carried out in a qualitative manner. Less than half of the map records included assessments on the recovery/restoration potential of the degraded habitats, with passive restoration by removal of human activities being the most commonly recommended measure. The current work has identified several gaps and challenges both in the thematic and geographic coverage of the available map resources, as well as in the approaches implemented for the harmonized assessment of habitat degradation. These should guide future mapping initiatives in order to more comprehensively support and advise the marine habitat restoration agenda for better meeting the objectives set in relevant policy documents and legislative acts in Europe.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } As habitat mapping is crucially important for developing effective management and restoration plans, the aim of this work was to produce a census of available map resources at the European scale focusing on: a) key marine habitats; b) degraded habitats; c) human activities and pressures acting on degraded habitats, and d) the restoration potential of degraded habitats. Almost half of the 580 map records were derived from grey literature and web resources but contained no georeferenced files for download, thus limiting further use of the data. Biogeographical heterogeneity was observed and varied between the type and quality of information provided. This variability was mainly related to differences in research efforts and stakeholder focus. Habitat degradation was assessed in only 28% of the map records and was mostly carried out in a qualitative manner. Less than half of the map records included assessments on the recovery/restoration potential of the degraded habitats, with passive restoration by removal of human activities being the most commonly recommended measure. The current work has identified several gaps and challenges both in the thematic and geographic coverage of the available map resources, as well as in the approaches implemented for the harmonized assessment of habitat degradation. These should guide future mapping initiatives in order to more comprehensively support and advise the marine habitat restoration agenda for better meeting the objectives set in relevant policy documents and legislative acts in Europe. |
Sempere-Valverde, Juan; Lorenzo, Álvaro Sabino; Espinosa, Free; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sánchez-Tocino, Luis; Navarro-Barranco, Carlos Taxonomic and morphological descriptors reveal high benthic temporal variability in a Mediterranean marine submerged cave over a decade Journal Article Hydrobiologia, 839 (1), pp. 177–194, 2019, ISSN: 0018-8158, 1573-5117. @article{sempere-valverde_taxonomic_2019, title = {Taxonomic and morphological descriptors reveal high benthic temporal variability in a Mediterranean marine submerged cave over a decade}, author = {Juan Sempere-Valverde and Álvaro Sabino Lorenzo and Free Espinosa and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Luis Sánchez-Tocino and Carlos Navarro-Barranco}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10750-019-04005-2}, doi = {10.1007/s10750-019-04005-2}, issn = {0018-8158, 1573-5117}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-08-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Hydrobiologia}, volume = {839}, number = {1}, pages = {177--194}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Sedano, Francisco; Florido, Marta; Rallis, Ioannis; Espinosa, Free; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Comparing sessile benthos on shallow artificial versus natural hard substrates in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 20 (4), pp. 688, 2019, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{sedano_comparing_2019, title = {Comparing sessile benthos on shallow artificial versus natural hard substrates in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Francisco Sedano and Marta Florido and Ioannis Rallis and Free Espinosa and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/17897}, doi = {10.12681/mms.17897}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-05-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {20}, number = {4}, pages = {688}, abstract = {Artificial structures cover a considerable part of the Mediterranean coasts. In the Aegean Sea, most studies related to artificial structures have focused in vagile fauna on harbors and marinas but little attention has been given to the sessile biota on coastal defense structures. The aim of this work was to describe for the first time the shallow sublittoral sessile benthos on coastal defense structures in Crete (Eastern Mediterranean Sea) in order to identify potential differences in comparison to natural rocky substrates, adopting both a taxonomic and functional (i.e. macroalgal structural complexity) approach. Three shallow (1-3 m) localities were studied in the north coast and three in the south coast of the island (six localities in total). At each locality, two types of hard substrate were selected: an artificial coastal defense structure (rip-rap) and the nearest natural rocky substrates. The percent cover of sessile taxa was calculated using random points counts over photoquadrats (20 x 20 cm). The structure of the assemblage differed between artificial and natural habitats. Values of Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index and number of taxa were higher in natural substrates. In addition, cover of arborescent macroalgae was lower on artificial substrates. In conclusion, rip-raps do not function as surrogates of natural hard substrates in the study area since their shallow subtidal assemblages differ in terms of community structure, diversity and functionality. The deficient performance of such artificial structures could be attributed to the combined effects of abiotic factors and biotic processes, including substrate nature and roughness as well as differential grazing pressure.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Artificial structures cover a considerable part of the Mediterranean coasts. In the Aegean Sea, most studies related to artificial structures have focused in vagile fauna on harbors and marinas but little attention has been given to the sessile biota on coastal defense structures. The aim of this work was to describe for the first time the shallow sublittoral sessile benthos on coastal defense structures in Crete (Eastern Mediterranean Sea) in order to identify potential differences in comparison to natural rocky substrates, adopting both a taxonomic and functional (i.e. macroalgal structural complexity) approach. Three shallow (1-3 m) localities were studied in the north coast and three in the south coast of the island (six localities in total). At each locality, two types of hard substrate were selected: an artificial coastal defense structure (rip-rap) and the nearest natural rocky substrates. The percent cover of sessile taxa was calculated using random points counts over photoquadrats (20 x 20 cm). The structure of the assemblage differed between artificial and natural habitats. Values of Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index and number of taxa were higher in natural substrates. In addition, cover of arborescent macroalgae was lower on artificial substrates. In conclusion, rip-raps do not function as surrogates of natural hard substrates in the study area since their shallow subtidal assemblages differ in terms of community structure, diversity and functionality. The deficient performance of such artificial structures could be attributed to the combined effects of abiotic factors and biotic processes, including substrate nature and roughness as well as differential grazing pressure. |
Lage, Anaíra; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Muricy, Guilherme Marine Biodiversity, 49 (2), pp. 727–747, 2019, ISSN: 1867-1616, 1867-1624. @article{lage_taxonomy_2019, title = {Taxonomy of Plakina (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from Aegean submarine caves, with descriptions of three new species and new characters for the genus}, author = {Anaíra Lage and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou and Guilherme Muricy}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12526-018-0847-z}, doi = {10.1007/s12526-018-0847-z}, issn = {1867-1616, 1867-1624}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Marine Biodiversity}, volume = {49}, number = {2}, pages = {727--747}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Rosso, Antonietta; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sanfilippo, Rossana; Guido, Adriano Bryozoan assemblages from two submarine caves in the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) Journal Article Marine Biodiversity, 49 (2), pp. 707–726, 2019, ISSN: 1867-1616, 1867-1624. @article{rosso_bryozoan_2019, title = {Bryozoan assemblages from two submarine caves in the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)}, author = {Antonietta Rosso and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Rossana Sanfilippo and Adriano Guido}, url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12526-018-0846-0}, doi = {10.1007/s12526-018-0846-0}, issn = {1867-1616, 1867-1624}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Marine Biodiversity}, volume = {49}, number = {2}, pages = {707--726}, abstract = {Although bryozoans are one of the dominant sessile phyla in Mediterranean marine caves, little information is available on the bryozoan diversity of this habitat in the eastern basin. In this study, bryozoan assemblages of two Aegean marine caves located at different depths and characterised by different morphology were studied. The examination of 30 quadrats (20 × 20 cm) scraped from the vertical walls and cave ceilings, at increasing distances from the entrances, yielded 74 taxa (67 living and 47 dead), half of which were shared by both caves. Cheilostomes largely prevailed (59 taxa) over cyclostomes and ctenostomes (14 and 1 species, respectively). Nodular to fungiform bioconstructions were formed by species with multilayered colonies in both caves. Differences in the taxonomic structure of bryozoan assemblages between the two caves as well as on the spatial variability of diversity, abundance and growth morphologies within each cave seem to be linked to the different cave morphology and associated environmental conditions. Moreover, a considerable number of taxa were reported for the first time from the Eastern Mediterranean and the marine cave habitat, supporting the idea that knowledge of their bryozoan diversity is far from being considered complete.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Although bryozoans are one of the dominant sessile phyla in Mediterranean marine caves, little information is available on the bryozoan diversity of this habitat in the eastern basin. In this study, bryozoan assemblages of two Aegean marine caves located at different depths and characterised by different morphology were studied. The examination of 30 quadrats (20 × 20 cm) scraped from the vertical walls and cave ceilings, at increasing distances from the entrances, yielded 74 taxa (67 living and 47 dead), half of which were shared by both caves. Cheilostomes largely prevailed (59 taxa) over cyclostomes and ctenostomes (14 and 1 species, respectively). Nodular to fungiform bioconstructions were formed by species with multilayered colonies in both caves. Differences in the taxonomic structure of bryozoan assemblages between the two caves as well as on the spatial variability of diversity, abundance and growth morphologies within each cave seem to be linked to the different cave morphology and associated environmental conditions. Moreover, a considerable number of taxa were reported for the first time from the Eastern Mediterranean and the marine cave habitat, supporting the idea that knowledge of their bryozoan diversity is far from being considered complete. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Smith, Christopher J; Kiparissis, Sotiris; Stamouli, Caterina; Dounas, Costas; Mytilineou, Chryssi Updating the distribution status of the critically endangered bamboo coral Isidella elongata (Esper, 1788) in the deep Eastern Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Regional Studies in Marine Science, 28 , pp. 100610, 2019, ISSN: 23524855. @article{gerovasileiou_updating_2019, title = {Updating the distribution status of the critically endangered bamboo coral Isidella elongata (Esper, 1788) in the deep Eastern Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Christopher J Smith and Sotiris Kiparissis and Caterina Stamouli and Costas Dounas and Chryssi Mytilineou}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352485518302809}, doi = {10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100610}, issn = {23524855}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-21}, journal = {Regional Studies in Marine Science}, volume = {28}, pages = {100610}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Ouerghi, Atef; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bianchi, Carlo Nike Öztürk, Bayram (Ed.): Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Biodiversity, Threats and Conservation, (53), pp. 1–13, Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), Istanbul, 2019, ISBN: 978-975-8825-45-5. @incollection{ouerghi_mediterranean_2019, title = {Mediterranean marine caves: a synthesis of current knowledge and the Mediterranean Action Plan for the conservation of “dark habitats”}, author = {Atef Ouerghi and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Carlo Nike Bianchi}, editor = {Bayram Öztürk}, url = {http://tudav.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TUDAV_marine_cave.pdf}, isbn = {978-975-8825-45-5}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, booktitle = {Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Biodiversity, Threats and Conservation}, number = {53}, pages = {1--13}, publisher = {Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV)}, address = {Istanbul}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } |
Fraschetti, S; Guarnieri, G; Mcowen, C; Papa, L; Papadopoulou, N; Bilan, M; Boström, C; Capdevila, P; Carugati, L; Cebrian, E; Dailianis, T; Danovaro, R; De, Leo; Fiorentino, D; Gagnon, K; Gambi, C; Garrabou, J; Gerovasileiou, V; Hereu, B; Kipson, S; Kotta, J; Ledoux, JB; Linares, C; Marti, Active restoration across marine coastal habitats: a focus on the Mediterranean Sea Inproceedings Langar, Habib; Ouerghi, Atef (Ed.): Proceedings of the 3rd Mediterranean Symposium on the Conservation of Coralligenous and other Bioconcretions, pp. 57–62, SPA/RAC, Tunis, 2019. @inproceedings{fraschetti_active_2019, title = {Active restoration across marine coastal habitats: a focus on the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {S Fraschetti and G Guarnieri and C Mcowen and L Papa and N Papadopoulou and M Bilan and C Boström and P Capdevila and L Carugati and E Cebrian and T Dailianis and R Danovaro and Leo De and D Fiorentino and K Gagnon and C Gambi and J Garrabou and V Gerovasileiou and B Hereu and S Kipson and J Kotta and JB Ledoux and C Linares and Marti}, editor = {Habib Langar and Atef Ouerghi}, url = {http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/symposium/proceedings_mscc_2019_final.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 3rd Mediterranean Symposium on the Conservation of Coralligenous and other Bioconcretions}, pages = {57--62}, publisher = {SPA/RAC}, address = {Tunis}, abstract = {Active restoration is considered a profitable strategy to return ecosystems to their pre-disturbance state, in a reasonable time frame. However, ecological restoration of marine ecosystems is still in its infancy if compared to the terrestrial context. A review of 498 studies published in the last 25 years was carried out within the MERCES H2020 EU project to understand the effects of marine restoration actions across coastal habitats at global scale. Here, an overview focused on the Mediterranean Sea was carried out to identify both contextual and methodological determinants of restoration success in the basin. Results show that restoration efforts across habitats are increasing, especially in seagrasses and saltmarshes, but never approached at ecosystem level. Targets, methods, response variables and standards are still very heterogeneous. Short project duration (one-two years), small restoration areas (textbackslashtextless 1 ha), lack of controls and knowledge of baselines are still a limit for deriving generalities. Finally, restorations rarely consider future challenges linked to global change, thus impairing long-term success stories. Marine restoration is a promising approach to counteract habitat loss in coastal areas. However, restoration science needs more robust approaches leading to the development of best practices (e.g. protocols, monitoring of the effects, reasons for failure) to be applied at spatial and temporal scales so as to answer to present and future disturbance regimes.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Active restoration is considered a profitable strategy to return ecosystems to their pre-disturbance state, in a reasonable time frame. However, ecological restoration of marine ecosystems is still in its infancy if compared to the terrestrial context. A review of 498 studies published in the last 25 years was carried out within the MERCES H2020 EU project to understand the effects of marine restoration actions across coastal habitats at global scale. Here, an overview focused on the Mediterranean Sea was carried out to identify both contextual and methodological determinants of restoration success in the basin. Results show that restoration efforts across habitats are increasing, especially in seagrasses and saltmarshes, but never approached at ecosystem level. Targets, methods, response variables and standards are still very heterogeneous. Short project duration (one-two years), small restoration areas (textbackslashtextless 1 ha), lack of controls and knowledge of baselines are still a limit for deriving generalities. Finally, restorations rarely consider future challenges linked to global change, thus impairing long-term success stories. Marine restoration is a promising approach to counteract habitat loss in coastal areas. However, restoration science needs more robust approaches leading to the development of best practices (e.g. protocols, monitoring of the effects, reasons for failure) to be applied at spatial and temporal scales so as to answer to present and future disturbance regimes. |
Rosso, A; Gerovasileiou, V; Sanfilippo, R; Guido, A Undisclosed bryodiversity of shallow-water submarine caves of the Aegean Sea Inproceedings H, Ouerghi Langar A (Ed.): Proceedings of the 2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Conservation of Dark Habitats, pp. 47–52, SPA/RAC, Tunis, 2019. @inproceedings{rosso_undisclosed_2019, title = {Undisclosed bryodiversity of shallow-water submarine caves of the Aegean Sea}, author = {A Rosso and V Gerovasileiou and R Sanfilippo and A Guido}, editor = {Ouerghi A Langar H}, url = {http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/symposium/poceedings_msdh_2019_final.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Conservation of Dark Habitats}, pages = {47--52}, publisher = {SPA/RAC}, address = {Tunis}, abstract = {Bryozoan diversity from the eastern Mediterranean basin is still poorly known, especially in dark cave and deep-water habitats. Examination of samples collected from two submarine caves in Lesvos Island, Aegean Sea, revealed 74 bryozoan taxa. Most taxa (67) occurred with living and dead colonies, whereas 7 were exclusively recorded with dead colonies. Cheilostomes (59 species) outnumbered cyclostomes (14 species) and ctenostomes (1 species). Unilaminar-multilaminar encrusters prevailed; runners, spots and erect colonies were subordinate to rare. Most taxa, but 6, were already known from present-day Mediterranean. These are Palmiskenea sp. 1, Schizomavella sp. 1, Fenestrulina sp. 1, Rhynchozoon sp. 1, Setosella sp. 1, and Onychocellidae sp. 1. The last two taxa are new species, whose description is under way. The former four taxa could be either new or non-indigenous species. Assessments about their status, however, require comparison with several species distributed worldwide. Indeed, except for the genera Palmiskenea (known with 7 species, 2 from the Mediterranean), Fenestrulina, Schizomavella, and Rhynchozoon, are very rich in species in the world ocean (70, 71 and 88 species, respectively) and in the Mediterranean Sea (4, 22, and 6, respectively). To date, only one species of the above genera, R. larreyi, has been recorded as non-indigenous in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Lebanon). The finding of 6 new taxa in two neighbouring sites supports that a considerable number of species await to be discovered from understudied sectors and habitats of the Mediterranean Sea, and especially from dark habitats. Knowledge of this diversity is crucial for monitoring and conservation initiatives.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Bryozoan diversity from the eastern Mediterranean basin is still poorly known, especially in dark cave and deep-water habitats. Examination of samples collected from two submarine caves in Lesvos Island, Aegean Sea, revealed 74 bryozoan taxa. Most taxa (67) occurred with living and dead colonies, whereas 7 were exclusively recorded with dead colonies. Cheilostomes (59 species) outnumbered cyclostomes (14 species) and ctenostomes (1 species). Unilaminar-multilaminar encrusters prevailed; runners, spots and erect colonies were subordinate to rare. Most taxa, but 6, were already known from present-day Mediterranean. These are Palmiskenea sp. 1, Schizomavella sp. 1, Fenestrulina sp. 1, Rhynchozoon sp. 1, Setosella sp. 1, and Onychocellidae sp. 1. The last two taxa are new species, whose description is under way. The former four taxa could be either new or non-indigenous species. Assessments about their status, however, require comparison with several species distributed worldwide. Indeed, except for the genera Palmiskenea (known with 7 species, 2 from the Mediterranean), Fenestrulina, Schizomavella, and Rhynchozoon, are very rich in species in the world ocean (70, 71 and 88 species, respectively) and in the Mediterranean Sea (4, 22, and 6, respectively). To date, only one species of the above genera, R. larreyi, has been recorded as non-indigenous in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Lebanon). The finding of 6 new taxa in two neighbouring sites supports that a considerable number of species await to be discovered from understudied sectors and habitats of the Mediterranean Sea, and especially from dark habitats. Knowledge of this diversity is crucial for monitoring and conservation initiatives. |
Sempere-Valverde, J; Sabino, Lorenzo; Espinosa, F; Gerovasileiou, V; Sánchez-Tocino, L; Navarro-Barranco, C Long-term spatio-temporal dynamics of sessile benthos in a shallow marine submerged cave of western Mediterranean Sea Inproceedings Proceedings of the 2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Conservation of Dark Habitats, pp. 53–58, SPA/RAC, Tunis, 2019. @inproceedings{sempere-valverde_long-term_2019, title = {Long-term spatio-temporal dynamics of sessile benthos in a shallow marine submerged cave of western Mediterranean Sea}, author = {J Sempere-Valverde and Lorenzo Sabino and F Espinosa and V Gerovasileiou and L Sánchez-Tocino and C Navarro-Barranco}, url = {http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/symposium/poceedings_msdh_2019_final.pdf}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Conservation of Dark Habitats}, pages = {53--58}, publisher = {SPA/RAC}, address = {Tunis}, abstract = {Submarine caves are considered priority habitats according to the Barcelona Convention and the EU Habitat Directive, yet they have received relatively low research effort when compared to other Mediterranean coastal habitats. This paper provides information about the long-term spatio-temporal observations of sessile benthos along the exterior-interior axis of Cerro-Gordo marine cave (Granada, Spain) from 2007 to 2016. Using feeding strategies and morphological descriptors, significant temporal variations of sessile community were recorded in both external and internal sectors, in spite of the higher confinement of the inner parts of the cave. In the inner cave sector, the use of feeding strategies revealed community variability through time and between opposite cave walls. On the other hand, the use of morphological descriptors proved to better depict variability in the outer cave sector, where the community was more heterogeneous. These results provide valuable information that could be included in future monitoring programs of these endangered and protected habitats.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Submarine caves are considered priority habitats according to the Barcelona Convention and the EU Habitat Directive, yet they have received relatively low research effort when compared to other Mediterranean coastal habitats. This paper provides information about the long-term spatio-temporal observations of sessile benthos along the exterior-interior axis of Cerro-Gordo marine cave (Granada, Spain) from 2007 to 2016. Using feeding strategies and morphological descriptors, significant temporal variations of sessile community were recorded in both external and internal sectors, in spite of the higher confinement of the inner parts of the cave. In the inner cave sector, the use of feeding strategies revealed community variability through time and between opposite cave walls. On the other hand, the use of morphological descriptors proved to better depict variability in the outer cave sector, where the community was more heterogeneous. These results provide valuable information that could be included in future monitoring programs of these endangered and protected habitats. |
del Mar, Otero Maria; Fabrizio, Serena; Vasilis, Gerovasileiou; Monica, Barone; Marzia, Bo; Manuel, Arcos José; Antonio, Vulcano; Joana, Xavier Identification guide of vulnerable species incidentally caught in Mediterranean fisheries Book IUCN Center for Mediterranean Cooperation, Malaga, 2019. @book{otero_maria_del_mar_identification_2019, title = {Identification guide of vulnerable species incidentally caught in Mediterranean fisheries}, author = {Otero Maria del Mar and Serena Fabrizio and Gerovasileiou Vasilis and Barone Monica and Bo Marzia and Arcos José Manuel and Vulcano Antonio and Xavier Joana}, url = {https://www.iucn.org/news/mediterranean/201910/identification-guide-vulnerable-species-incidentally-caught-mediterranean-fisheries}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, publisher = {IUCN Center for Mediterranean Cooperation}, address = {Malaga}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {book} } |
Jimenez, Carlos; Achilleos, Katerina; Petrou, Antonis; Hadjioannou, Louis; Guido, Adriano; Rosso, Antonietta; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Albano, Paolo G; Franco, Davide Di; Andreou, Vasilis; Alhaija, Rana Abu A dream within a dream: Kakoskali Cave, a unique marine ecosystem in Cyprus (Levantine Sea) Incollection Öztürk, Bayram (Ed.): Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Biodiversity, Threats and Conservation, (53), pp. 91–110, Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), Istanbul, 2019, ISBN: 978-975-8825-45-5. @incollection{jimenez_dream_2019, title = {A dream within a dream: Kakoskali Cave, a unique marine ecosystem in Cyprus (Levantine Sea)}, author = {Carlos Jimenez and Katerina Achilleos and Antonis Petrou and Louis Hadjioannou and Adriano Guido and Antonietta Rosso and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Paolo G Albano and Davide Di Franco and Vasilis Andreou and Rana Abu Alhaija}, editor = {Bayram Öztürk}, url = {http://tudav.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TUDAV_marine_cave.pdf}, isbn = {978-975-8825-45-5}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, booktitle = {Marine Caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Biodiversity, Threats and Conservation}, number = {53}, pages = {91--110}, publisher = {Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV)}, address = {Istanbul}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } |
2018 |
Dailianis, Thanos; Smith, Christopher J; Papadopoulou, Nadia; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sevastou, Katerina; Bekkby, Trine; Bilan, Meri; Billett, David; Boström, Christoffer; Carreiro-Silva, Marina; Danovaro, Roberto; Fraschetti, Simonetta; Gagnon, Karine; Gambi, Cristina; Grehan, Anthony; Kipson, Silvija; Kotta, Jonne; McOwen, Chris J; Morato, Telmo; Ojaveer, Henn; Pham, Christopher K; Scrimgeour, Rachael Human activities and resultant pressures on key European marine habitats: An analysis of mapped resources Journal Article Marine Policy, 98 , pp. 1–10, 2018, ISSN: 0308597X. @article{dailianis_human_2018, title = {Human activities and resultant pressures on key European marine habitats: An analysis of mapped resources}, author = {Thanos Dailianis and Christopher J Smith and Nadia Papadopoulou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Katerina Sevastou and Trine Bekkby and Meri Bilan and David Billett and Christoffer Boström and Marina Carreiro-Silva and Roberto Danovaro and Simonetta Fraschetti and Karine Gagnon and Cristina Gambi and Anthony Grehan and Silvija Kipson and Jonne Kotta and Chris J McOwen and Telmo Morato and Henn Ojaveer and Christopher K Pham and Rachael Scrimgeour}, url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0308597X18302884}, doi = {10.1016/j.marpol.2018.08.038}, issn = {0308597X}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-12-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Marine Policy}, volume = {98}, pages = {1--10}, abstract = {Human activities exert a wide range of pressures on marine ecosystems, often resulting in the loss of species and degradation of habitats. If effective policies and management practices to restore past damage and reduce future impacts to the marine environment are to be developed, knowledge of the extent, duration and severity of activities and pressures is essential, yet often lacking. As part of the EU H2020 project “Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Changing European Seas”, this study uses an exhaustive review of published records, web resources, and grey literature to comprehensively assess the degree to which human activities and pressures are mapped within European seas. The results highlight a number of limitations and gaps, including: (a) limited geographic coverage at both the regional and sub-regional level; (b) insufficient spatial resolution and accuracy in recorded data for the planning of conservation and restoration actions; (c) a lack of access to the background data and metadata upon which maps are based, thus limiting the potential for synthesis of multiple data sources. Based on the findings, several recommendations for future marine research initiatives arise, most importantly the need for coordinated, geographically extended baseline assessments of the distribution and intensity of human activities and pressures, complying with high-level standardization regarding methodological approaches and the treatment of produced data.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Human activities exert a wide range of pressures on marine ecosystems, often resulting in the loss of species and degradation of habitats. If effective policies and management practices to restore past damage and reduce future impacts to the marine environment are to be developed, knowledge of the extent, duration and severity of activities and pressures is essential, yet often lacking. As part of the EU H2020 project “Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Changing European Seas”, this study uses an exhaustive review of published records, web resources, and grey literature to comprehensively assess the degree to which human activities and pressures are mapped within European seas. The results highlight a number of limitations and gaps, including: (a) limited geographic coverage at both the regional and sub-regional level; (b) insufficient spatial resolution and accuracy in recorded data for the planning of conservation and restoration actions; (c) a lack of access to the background data and metadata upon which maps are based, thus limiting the potential for synthesis of multiple data sources. Based on the findings, several recommendations for future marine research initiatives arise, most importantly the need for coordinated, geographically extended baseline assessments of the distribution and intensity of human activities and pressures, complying with high-level standardization regarding methodological approaches and the treatment of produced data. |
Polymenakou, Paraskevi; Mandalakis, Manolis; Dailianis, Thanos; Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Medvecky, Matej; Magoulas, Antonios; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Preliminary assessment of methanogenic microbial communities in marine caves of Zakynthos Island (Ionian Sea, Greece) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, pp. 284, 2018, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{polymenakou_preliminary_2018, title = {Preliminary assessment of methanogenic microbial communities in marine caves of Zakynthos Island (Ionian Sea, Greece)}, author = {Paraskevi Polymenakou and Manolis Mandalakis and Thanos Dailianis and Charalampos Dimitriadis and Matej Medvecky and Antonios Magoulas and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/14374}, doi = {10.12681/mms.14374}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, pages = {284}, abstract = {Mediterranean marine caves remain largely unexplored, while particularly limited information is available about the microbial life existing in these unique environments. The present study is a preliminary assessment of the composition of the active anaerobic microbial community colonizing the walls of newly explored systems of underwater caves and small cavities in Zakynthos Island. The interior of these caves is densely coated with egg-shaped, foam-shaped and filamentous biological structures that are characterised by a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. A total of twelve structures scrapped from cave rocks were subjected to anaerobic cultivation for up to 208 days. Strong to moderate methanogenesis was observed in two different types of egg-shaped structures and one foam-like structure. Interestingly, this was observed in experiments that were performed at room temperature (i.e. 25oC) which is substantially lower than those typically considered optimum for methane production (e.g. 35oC). Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes revealed a clear dominance of archaea and bacteria closely related to known methane producers and sulfate reducers, including members of the families Methanomicrobiaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Desulfuromonaceae, Campylobacteraceae, Marinifilaceae, Clostridiaceae, Incertae Sedis – Family I & II. These results show that Mediterranean marine caves can host members of archaea and bacteria with potential biotechnological interest that deserve further investigation.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Mediterranean marine caves remain largely unexplored, while particularly limited information is available about the microbial life existing in these unique environments. The present study is a preliminary assessment of the composition of the active anaerobic microbial community colonizing the walls of newly explored systems of underwater caves and small cavities in Zakynthos Island. The interior of these caves is densely coated with egg-shaped, foam-shaped and filamentous biological structures that are characterised by a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide gas. A total of twelve structures scrapped from cave rocks were subjected to anaerobic cultivation for up to 208 days. Strong to moderate methanogenesis was observed in two different types of egg-shaped structures and one foam-like structure. Interestingly, this was observed in experiments that were performed at room temperature (i.e. 25oC) which is substantially lower than those typically considered optimum for methane production (e.g. 35oC). Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes revealed a clear dominance of archaea and bacteria closely related to known methane producers and sulfate reducers, including members of the families Methanomicrobiaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Desulfuromonaceae, Campylobacteraceae, Marinifilaceae, Clostridiaceae, Incertae Sedis – Family I & II. These results show that Mediterranean marine caves can host members of archaea and bacteria with potential biotechnological interest that deserve further investigation. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos; Sini, Maria; Otero, MARIA Del MAR; Numa, Catherine; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Voultsiadou, Eleni Assessing the regional conservation status of sponges (Porifera): the case of the Aegean ecoregion Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 2018, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{gerovasileiou_assessing_2018, title = {Assessing the regional conservation status of sponges (Porifera): the case of the Aegean ecoregion}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Thanos Dailianis and Maria Sini and MARIA Del MAR Otero and Catherine Numa and Stelios Katsanevakis and Eleni Voultsiadou}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/14461}, doi = {10.12681/mms.14461}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, abstract = {Sponges are among the less-studied benthic invertebrates as regards their extinction risk and conservation status. Herein, we evaluate the regional conservation status of sponges in the Aegean ecoregion (Eastern Mediterranean Sea), using the IUCN Red List criteria. We examined 20 sponge taxa falling into three categories: i) threatened species listed in Annex II of the Barcelona Convention, ii) bath sponge species (Annex III of the Barcelona Convention), and iii) Aegean endemics. The regional geographic range of the examined taxa was depicted on detailed distribution maps, based mostly on recent observations by the authors and literature data. When possible, population trends were estimated based on historical data, and threats were identified. The suggested regional conservation status of the examined sponge species is as follows: i) nine species were characterised as ‘Data Deficient (DD)’ due to limited available information; ii) seven species were assigned to the ‘Least Concern (LC)’ category; iii) the four harvested bath sponge species were assigned to the Endangered (EN) category, based on their population decline in the Aegean region during the past decades. The present evaluation, besides providing scientific data for the regional protection and management of sponge populations, can form a basis for wider assessment and consequent conservation of Porifera.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Sponges are among the less-studied benthic invertebrates as regards their extinction risk and conservation status. Herein, we evaluate the regional conservation status of sponges in the Aegean ecoregion (Eastern Mediterranean Sea), using the IUCN Red List criteria. We examined 20 sponge taxa falling into three categories: i) threatened species listed in Annex II of the Barcelona Convention, ii) bath sponge species (Annex III of the Barcelona Convention), and iii) Aegean endemics. The regional geographic range of the examined taxa was depicted on detailed distribution maps, based mostly on recent observations by the authors and literature data. When possible, population trends were estimated based on historical data, and threats were identified. The suggested regional conservation status of the examined sponge species is as follows: i) nine species were characterised as ‘Data Deficient (DD)’ due to limited available information; ii) seven species were assigned to the ‘Least Concern (LC)’ category; iii) the four harvested bath sponge species were assigned to the Endangered (EN) category, based on their population decline in the Aegean region during the past decades. The present evaluation, besides providing scientific data for the regional protection and management of sponge populations, can form a basis for wider assessment and consequent conservation of Porifera. |
Dimarchopoulou, Donna; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni Spatial variability of sessile benthos in a semi-submerged marine cave of a remote Aegean Island (eastern Mediterranean Sea) Journal Article Regional Studies in Marine Science, 17 , pp. 102–111, 2018, ISSN: 23524855. @article{dimarchopoulou_spatial_2018, title = {Spatial variability of sessile benthos in a semi-submerged marine cave of a remote Aegean Island (eastern Mediterranean Sea)}, author = {Donna Dimarchopoulou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou}, doi = {10.1016/j.rsma.2017.11.015}, issn = {23524855}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Regional Studies in Marine Science}, volume = {17}, pages = {102--111}, abstract = {The spatial heterogeneity of sessile benthos was investigated, for the first time in the eastern Mediterranean, in a semi-submerged cave of a NATURA 2000 Special Protection Area in the North Aegean Sea. The use of a non-destructive photographic method and advanced image analysis revealed the presence of 46 taxa of Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta, Rhodophyta, Foraminifera, Porifera, Anthozoa, Polychaeta, Bryozoa, and Ascidiacea, including new records of rare species. Sponges and macroalgae were the dominant groups, in terms of substrate coverage and number of taxa. Sponges were found in all cave sectors covering considerable part of the substrate, whereas macroalgae dominated the entrances and were not recorded further than the middle part of the cave. Different patterns were observed between the walls and the floor with regard to both the biotic coverage, which decreased from the entrances towards the inner part of the cave, and diversity, possibly due to the higher sedimentation rate on the floor. Both the distance from the entrances and the position within the cave, as well as the combination of these factors, had a statistically significant effect on the observed patterns. Resemblance analysis separated the floors at the luminous entrances from the rest of the tunnel, revealing groups that roughly corresponded to the sciaphilic algal-dominated entrance zone and the intermediate semi-dark cave sectors, where sessile invertebrates dominated. The present study, which is unique in the eastern Mediterranean basin, can be utilized for comparative studies and can serve as a solid basis for future monitoring.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The spatial heterogeneity of sessile benthos was investigated, for the first time in the eastern Mediterranean, in a semi-submerged cave of a NATURA 2000 Special Protection Area in the North Aegean Sea. The use of a non-destructive photographic method and advanced image analysis revealed the presence of 46 taxa of Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta, Rhodophyta, Foraminifera, Porifera, Anthozoa, Polychaeta, Bryozoa, and Ascidiacea, including new records of rare species. Sponges and macroalgae were the dominant groups, in terms of substrate coverage and number of taxa. Sponges were found in all cave sectors covering considerable part of the substrate, whereas macroalgae dominated the entrances and were not recorded further than the middle part of the cave. Different patterns were observed between the walls and the floor with regard to both the biotic coverage, which decreased from the entrances towards the inner part of the cave, and diversity, possibly due to the higher sedimentation rate on the floor. Both the distance from the entrances and the position within the cave, as well as the combination of these factors, had a statistically significant effect on the observed patterns. Resemblance analysis separated the floors at the luminous entrances from the rest of the tunnel, revealing groups that roughly corresponded to the sciaphilic algal-dominated entrance zone and the intermediate semi-dark cave sectors, where sessile invertebrates dominated. The present study, which is unique in the eastern Mediterranean basin, can be utilized for comparative studies and can serve as a solid basis for future monitoring. |
Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Sini, Maria; Trygonis, Vasilis; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sourbès, Laurent; Koutsoubas, Drosos Assessment of fish communities in a Mediterranean MPA: Can a seasonal no-take zone provide effective protection? Journal Article Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 207 , pp. 223–231, 2018, ISSN: 02727714. @article{dimitriadis_assessment_2018, title = {Assessment of fish communities in a Mediterranean MPA: Can a seasonal no-take zone provide effective protection?}, author = {Charalampos Dimitriadis and Maria Sini and Vasilis Trygonis and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Laurent Sourbès and Drosos Koutsoubas}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecss.2018.04.012}, issn = {02727714}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science}, volume = {207}, pages = {223--231}, abstract = {The efficacy of a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (National Marine Park of Zakynthos – NMPZ, Ionian Sea, Greece) that implements a seasonal no-take zone as part of its management scheme was assessed using fish data collected in situ with underwater visual census. Sampling was conducted at two habitat types (Posidonia oceanica meadows and rocky reefs) that occur at sites of different protection level with respect to fisheries (high protection: seasonal no-take zone within the MPA; intermediate: zones within the MPA where small-scale fishing is allowed; none: areas outside the MPA, where all types of fishing are allowed, including trawlers, purse seiners, and recreational fishing). The data were used to examine the effects of protection level and habitat type on community parameters, trophic structure and functional diversity of fish populations that occupy the upper sublittoral zone. Overall, habitat type had a more pronounced effect than protection level on all investigated parameters. Biomass, density and number of fish species with low commercial value were higher in sites of intermediate protection, but no substantial fisheries-related ecological benefits were detected for targeted fish in the seasonal no-take zone. Conducted 8 years after the initial implementation of the seasonal no-take management scheme, our study suggests that existing fishing regulations in the NMPZ provide some measurable effects, but fall short of maintaining sufficient protection for the recovery of apex predators or other commercially important fish species. A revision of the existing zoning system to include permanent no-take zones, alongside the regulation of professional fishing and all extractive activities in the rest of the MPA, are strongly encouraged in order to enhance the effectiveness of fisheries management.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The efficacy of a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (National Marine Park of Zakynthos – NMPZ, Ionian Sea, Greece) that implements a seasonal no-take zone as part of its management scheme was assessed using fish data collected in situ with underwater visual census. Sampling was conducted at two habitat types (Posidonia oceanica meadows and rocky reefs) that occur at sites of different protection level with respect to fisheries (high protection: seasonal no-take zone within the MPA; intermediate: zones within the MPA where small-scale fishing is allowed; none: areas outside the MPA, where all types of fishing are allowed, including trawlers, purse seiners, and recreational fishing). The data were used to examine the effects of protection level and habitat type on community parameters, trophic structure and functional diversity of fish populations that occupy the upper sublittoral zone. Overall, habitat type had a more pronounced effect than protection level on all investigated parameters. Biomass, density and number of fish species with low commercial value were higher in sites of intermediate protection, but no substantial fisheries-related ecological benefits were detected for targeted fish in the seasonal no-take zone. Conducted 8 years after the initial implementation of the seasonal no-take management scheme, our study suggests that existing fishing regulations in the NMPZ provide some measurable effects, but fall short of maintaining sufficient protection for the recovery of apex predators or other commercially important fish species. A revision of the existing zoning system to include permanent no-take zones, alongside the regulation of professional fishing and all extractive activities in the rest of the MPA, are strongly encouraged in order to enhance the effectiveness of fisheries management. |
Zenetos, Argyro; Corsini-Foka, Maria; Crocetta, Fabio; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Karachle, Paraskevi; Simboura, Nomiki; Tsiamis, Konstantinos; Pancucci-Papadopoulou, Maria-Antonietta Deep cleaning of alien and cryptogenic species records in the Greek Seas (2018 update) Journal Article Management of Biological Invasions, 9 , pp. 209–226, 2018, ISSN: 19898649. @article{zenetos_deep_2018, title = {Deep cleaning of alien and cryptogenic species records in the Greek Seas (2018 update)}, author = {Argyro Zenetos and Maria Corsini-Foka and Fabio Crocetta and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Paraskevi Karachle and Nomiki Simboura and Konstantinos Tsiamis and Maria-Antonietta Pancucci-Papadopoulou}, doi = {10.3391/mbi.2018.9.3.04}, issn = {19898649}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Management of Biological Invasions}, volume = {9}, pages = {209--226}, abstract = {This work presents a current (2018) annotated list of marine NIS and cryptogenic species in Greek marine waters. For this purpose, we updated information from previous lists, included new data from several new NIS and cryptogenic records and recent taxonomic studies, and followed current taxonomic modifications for the alien/cryptogenic status of several introduced species. Our extensive literature survey and revisions resulted in the exclusion of 61 species, which were included in previous lists, and the addition of 41 new alien species reported in the 2016-2018 period plus ten old NIS records. The current number of introduced species in Greek waters whose presence is not questionable includes 214 alien species and 62 cryptogenic species. Approximately 80% of the introduced species in Greek Seas consists of the taxa-in decreasing order-Mollusca, Polychaeta, Crustacea, Fishes, and Macroalgae. Nevertheless, a considerable increase in the number of NIS Bryozoa and Ascidiacea was observed within the last decade. Unaided natural dispersal of Lessepsian immigrants (57%) and transport-stowaways (36.7%) are the major pathways of introduction reported for Greek waters. However, with few exceptions (6.8% of species), the confidence level in assigning a pathway was medium to low. Several species reported from adjacent marine areas are expected to reach Greek waters within the next years. The intensification of underwater observations by citizen scientists combined with further research in hot spot areas, understudied habitats and overlooked taxa will significantly raise the number of NIS species in Greek waters. This study can serve as a basis that could greatly benefit from the coordination and harmonization of monitoring initiatives under international, EU and Regional Policies, and the compilation of new data from established monitoring programs, and rapid assessment surveys.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This work presents a current (2018) annotated list of marine NIS and cryptogenic species in Greek marine waters. For this purpose, we updated information from previous lists, included new data from several new NIS and cryptogenic records and recent taxonomic studies, and followed current taxonomic modifications for the alien/cryptogenic status of several introduced species. Our extensive literature survey and revisions resulted in the exclusion of 61 species, which were included in previous lists, and the addition of 41 new alien species reported in the 2016-2018 period plus ten old NIS records. The current number of introduced species in Greek waters whose presence is not questionable includes 214 alien species and 62 cryptogenic species. Approximately 80% of the introduced species in Greek Seas consists of the taxa-in decreasing order-Mollusca, Polychaeta, Crustacea, Fishes, and Macroalgae. Nevertheless, a considerable increase in the number of NIS Bryozoa and Ascidiacea was observed within the last decade. Unaided natural dispersal of Lessepsian immigrants (57%) and transport-stowaways (36.7%) are the major pathways of introduction reported for Greek waters. However, with few exceptions (6.8% of species), the confidence level in assigning a pathway was medium to low. Several species reported from adjacent marine areas are expected to reach Greek waters within the next years. The intensification of underwater observations by citizen scientists combined with further research in hot spot areas, understudied habitats and overlooked taxa will significantly raise the number of NIS species in Greek waters. This study can serve as a basis that could greatly benefit from the coordination and harmonization of monitoring initiatives under international, EU and Regional Policies, and the compilation of new data from established monitoring programs, and rapid assessment surveys. |
Konstantinou, Despoina; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Gkelis, Spyros Sponges-cyanobacteria associations: Global diversity overview and new data from the Eastern Mediterranean Journal Article PLoS ONE, 13 (3), pp. e0195001, 2018, (ISBN: 1111111111). @article{konstantinou_sponges-cyanobacteria_2018, title = {Sponges-cyanobacteria associations: Global diversity overview and new data from the Eastern Mediterranean}, author = {Despoina Konstantinou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou and Spyros Gkelis}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0195001}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {13}, number = {3}, pages = {e0195001}, abstract = {Sponge-cyanobacteria associations have attracted research interest from an ecological, evolutionary and biotechnological perspective. Current knowledge is, in its majority, “hidden” in metagenomics research studying the entire microbial communities of sponges, while knowledge on these associations is totally missing for certain geographic areas. In this study, we (a) investigated the occurrence of cyanobacteria in 18 sponge species, several of which are studied for the first time for their cyanobionts, from a previously unexplored eastern Mediterranean ecoregion, the Aegean Sea, (b) isolated sponge-associated cyanobacteria, and characterized them based on a polyphasic (morphological-morphometric and molecular phylogenetic analysis) approach, and (c) conducted a meta-analysis on the global diversity of sponge species hosting cyanobacteria, as well as the diversity of cyanobacterial symbionts. Our research provided new records for nine sponge species, previously unknown for this association, while the isolated cyanobacteria were found to form novel clades within Synechococcus, Leptolyngbyaceae, Pseudanabaenaceae, and Schizotrichaceae, whose taxonomic status requires further investigation; this is the first report of a Schizotrichaceae cyanobacterium associated with sponges. The extensive evaluation of the literature along with the new data from the Aegean Sea raised the number of sponge species known for hosting cyanobacteria to 320 and showed that the cyanobacterial diversity reported from sponges is yet underestimated.}, note = {ISBN: 1111111111}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Sponge-cyanobacteria associations have attracted research interest from an ecological, evolutionary and biotechnological perspective. Current knowledge is, in its majority, “hidden” in metagenomics research studying the entire microbial communities of sponges, while knowledge on these associations is totally missing for certain geographic areas. In this study, we (a) investigated the occurrence of cyanobacteria in 18 sponge species, several of which are studied for the first time for their cyanobionts, from a previously unexplored eastern Mediterranean ecoregion, the Aegean Sea, (b) isolated sponge-associated cyanobacteria, and characterized them based on a polyphasic (morphological-morphometric and molecular phylogenetic analysis) approach, and (c) conducted a meta-analysis on the global diversity of sponge species hosting cyanobacteria, as well as the diversity of cyanobacterial symbionts. Our research provided new records for nine sponge species, previously unknown for this association, while the isolated cyanobacteria were found to form novel clades within Synechococcus, Leptolyngbyaceae, Pseudanabaenaceae, and Schizotrichaceae, whose taxonomic status requires further investigation; this is the first report of a Schizotrichaceae cyanobacterium associated with sponges. The extensive evaluation of the literature along with the new data from the Aegean Sea raised the number of sponge species known for hosting cyanobacteria to 320 and showed that the cyanobacterial diversity reported from sponges is yet underestimated. |
Lage, Anaíra; Araujo, Hannah Paola Mota; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Muricy, Guilherme A new cave-dwelling species of Plakina (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from Crete, Greece (South Aegean Sea) Journal Article Zootaxa, 4466 , pp. 39–48, 2018. @article{lage_new_2018, title = {A new cave-dwelling species of Plakina (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from Crete, Greece (South Aegean Sea)}, author = {Anaíra Lage and Hannah Paola Mota Araujo and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Guilherme Muricy}, doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.4466.1.5}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Zootaxa}, volume = {4466}, pages = {39--48}, abstract = {Recent studies showed a high diversity of the class Homoscleromorpha (Porifera) in the North Aegean Sea. In the South Aegean Sea, however, only one species of the homoscleromorph genus Plakina, P. weinbergi, was reported so far. Here we describe a new species of Plakina from a marine cave in the South Aegean Sea (Crete Island, Greece), viz., Plakina strongylata sp. nov. The new species is white, fragile, with a highly folded surface, and its spicules are diods, triods and calthrops with rounded extremities plus mono- and dilophose diods, mono-, di- and trilophose triods, and mono-, di, tri- and tetralophose calthrops. The number of Plakina species worldwide is raised to 35, of which nine occur in the Aegean Sea.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Recent studies showed a high diversity of the class Homoscleromorpha (Porifera) in the North Aegean Sea. In the South Aegean Sea, however, only one species of the homoscleromorph genus Plakina, P. weinbergi, was reported so far. Here we describe a new species of Plakina from a marine cave in the South Aegean Sea (Crete Island, Greece), viz., Plakina strongylata sp. nov. The new species is white, fragile, with a highly folded surface, and its spicules are diods, triods and calthrops with rounded extremities plus mono- and dilophose diods, mono-, di- and trilophose triods, and mono-, di, tri- and tetralophose calthrops. The number of Plakina species worldwide is raised to 35, of which nine occur in the Aegean Sea. |
2017 |
Sini, Maria; Katsanevakis, Stelios; Koukourouvli, Nikoleta; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos; Buhl-Mortensen, Lene; Damalas, Dimitris; Dendrinos, Panagiotis; Dimas, Xenophon; Frantzis, Alexandros; Gerakaris, Vasilis; Giakoumi, Sylvaine; Gonzalez-Mirelis, Genoveva; Hasiotis, Thomas; Issaris, Yiannis; Kavadas, Stefanos G; Koutsogiannopoulos, David D; Koutsoubas, Drosos; Manoutsoglou, Evangelia; Markantonatou, Vessa; Mazaris, Antonios D; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Papatheodorou, George; Salomidi, Maria; Topouzelis, Konstantinos; Trygonis, Vasilis; Vassilopoulou, Vassiliki; Zotou, Maria Assembling Ecological Pieces to Reconstruct the Conservation Puzzle of the Aegean Sea Journal Article Frontiers in Marine Science, 4 , pp. 347, 2017, ISSN: 2296-7745. @article{sini_assembling_2017, title = {Assembling Ecological Pieces to Reconstruct the Conservation Puzzle of the Aegean Sea}, author = {Maria Sini and Stelios Katsanevakis and Nikoleta Koukourouvli and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Thanos Dailianis and Lene Buhl-Mortensen and Dimitris Damalas and Panagiotis Dendrinos and Xenophon Dimas and Alexandros Frantzis and Vasilis Gerakaris and Sylvaine Giakoumi and Genoveva Gonzalez-Mirelis and Thomas Hasiotis and Yiannis Issaris and Stefanos G Kavadas and David D Koutsogiannopoulos and Drosos Koutsoubas and Evangelia Manoutsoglou and Vessa Markantonatou and Antonios D Mazaris and Dimitris Poursanidis and George Papatheodorou and Maria Salomidi and Konstantinos Topouzelis and Vasilis Trygonis and Vassiliki Vassilopoulou and Maria Zotou}, url = {http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2017.00347/full}, doi = {10.3389/fmars.2017.00347}, issn = {2296-7745}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-11-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science}, volume = {4}, pages = {347}, abstract = {The effective conservation of marine biodiversity through an integrated ecosystem-based management approach requires a sound knowledge of the spatial distribution of habitats and species. Although costly in terms of time and resources, acquiring such information is essential for the development of rigorous management plans and the meaningful prioritization of conservation actions. Located in the northeastern part of the Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea represents a stronghold for marine biodiversity. However, conservation efforts are hampered by the apparent lack of spatial information regarding marine habitats and species. This work is the first to address this knowledge gap by assembling, updating, and mapping information on the distribution of key ecological components. A range of data sources and methodological approaches was utilized to compile and complement the available data on 68 ecological features of conservation interest (58 animal species, six habitat categories, and four other vulnerable ecological features). A standardized data evaluation procedure was applied, based on five semi-quantitative data quality indicators in the form of a pedigree matrix. This approach assessed the sufficiency of the datasets and allowed the identification of the main sources of uncertainty, highlighting aspects that require further investigation. The overall dataset was found to be sufficient in terms of reliability and spatiotemporal relevance. However, it lacked in completeness, showing that there are still large areas of the Aegean that remain understudied, while further research is needed to elucidate the distribution patterns and conservation status of several ecological features; especially the less charismatic ones and those found in waters deeper than 40 m. Moreover, existing conservation measures appear to be inadequate to safeguard biodiversity. Only 2.3% of the study area corresponds to designated areas for conservation, while 41 of the ecological features are underrepresented in these areas. Considering the high geomorphological complexity and transnational character of the Aegean Sea, this study does not offer a complete account of the multifaceted diversity of this ecoregion. Instead, it represents a significant starting point and a solid basis for the development of systematic conservation plans that will allow the effective protection of biodiversity within an adaptive management framework.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The effective conservation of marine biodiversity through an integrated ecosystem-based management approach requires a sound knowledge of the spatial distribution of habitats and species. Although costly in terms of time and resources, acquiring such information is essential for the development of rigorous management plans and the meaningful prioritization of conservation actions. Located in the northeastern part of the Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea represents a stronghold for marine biodiversity. However, conservation efforts are hampered by the apparent lack of spatial information regarding marine habitats and species. This work is the first to address this knowledge gap by assembling, updating, and mapping information on the distribution of key ecological components. A range of data sources and methodological approaches was utilized to compile and complement the available data on 68 ecological features of conservation interest (58 animal species, six habitat categories, and four other vulnerable ecological features). A standardized data evaluation procedure was applied, based on five semi-quantitative data quality indicators in the form of a pedigree matrix. This approach assessed the sufficiency of the datasets and allowed the identification of the main sources of uncertainty, highlighting aspects that require further investigation. The overall dataset was found to be sufficient in terms of reliability and spatiotemporal relevance. However, it lacked in completeness, showing that there are still large areas of the Aegean that remain understudied, while further research is needed to elucidate the distribution patterns and conservation status of several ecological features; especially the less charismatic ones and those found in waters deeper than 40 m. Moreover, existing conservation measures appear to be inadequate to safeguard biodiversity. Only 2.3% of the study area corresponds to designated areas for conservation, while 41 of the ecological features are underrepresented in these areas. Considering the high geomorphological complexity and transnational character of the Aegean Sea, this study does not offer a complete account of the multifaceted diversity of this ecoregion. Instead, it represents a significant starting point and a solid basis for the development of systematic conservation plans that will allow the effective protection of biodiversity within an adaptive management framework. |
Katsanevakis, S; Sini, M; Dailianis, T; Gerovasileiou, V; Koukourouvli, N; Topouzelis, K; Ragkousis, M Identifying where vulnerable species occur in a data-poor context: combining satellite imaging and underwater occupancy surveys Journal Article Marine Ecology Progress Series, 577 , pp. 17–32, 2017, ISSN: 0171-8630, 1616-1599. @article{katsanevakis_identifying_2017, title = {Identifying where vulnerable species occur in a data-poor context: combining satellite imaging and underwater occupancy surveys}, author = {S Katsanevakis and M Sini and T Dailianis and V Gerovasileiou and N Koukourouvli and K Topouzelis and M Ragkousis}, url = {https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v577/p17-32/}, doi = {10.3354/meps12232}, issn = {0171-8630, 1616-1599}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-08-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series}, volume = {577}, pages = {17--32}, abstract = {For the effective conservation of vulnerable marine populations, knowledge of their distributions and spatially explicit management actions are essential. The use of physical features or coarse habitat types as surrogates of species distribution often does not provide an accurate enough (and hence useful) mapping of where species occur. This is further exacerbated in data-poor regions, where habitat maps in the marine environment are often patchy. A combination of satellite imaging analysis (for a rough classification of the main habitat types in shallow waters) and occupancy modelling based on data collected through dedicated underwater surveys is proposed as a relatively inexpensive and timely way to identify priority areas for the conservation of selected benthic species. The occupancy surveys provide estimates of the probability of presence, which can be used as weights of the importance of the available suitable habitat types in a potential habitat index (PHI). This approach was applied in the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) for 6 benthic hard-bottom species of conservation importance. Repetitive SCUBA diving surveys were conducted at six 5 m depth zones between 0 and 30 m at 47 locations in the Aegean Sea to detect the presence of the target species. Occupancy was modelled using several environmental spatial covariates. The applied method explicitly incorporated imperfect detectability in the modelling process. Predictive distributional maps of PHI were produced for each species, identifying areas that could be prioritized for conservation measures. Despite some limitations, this approach can provide a baseline for the protection of vulnerable species, in the framework of adaptive management for marine conservation planning.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } For the effective conservation of vulnerable marine populations, knowledge of their distributions and spatially explicit management actions are essential. The use of physical features or coarse habitat types as surrogates of species distribution often does not provide an accurate enough (and hence useful) mapping of where species occur. This is further exacerbated in data-poor regions, where habitat maps in the marine environment are often patchy. A combination of satellite imaging analysis (for a rough classification of the main habitat types in shallow waters) and occupancy modelling based on data collected through dedicated underwater surveys is proposed as a relatively inexpensive and timely way to identify priority areas for the conservation of selected benthic species. The occupancy surveys provide estimates of the probability of presence, which can be used as weights of the importance of the available suitable habitat types in a potential habitat index (PHI). This approach was applied in the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) for 6 benthic hard-bottom species of conservation importance. Repetitive SCUBA diving surveys were conducted at six 5 m depth zones between 0 and 30 m at 47 locations in the Aegean Sea to detect the presence of the target species. Occupancy was modelled using several environmental spatial covariates. The applied method explicitly incorporated imperfect detectability in the modelling process. Predictive distributional maps of PHI were produced for each species, identifying areas that could be prioritized for conservation measures. Despite some limitations, this approach can provide a baseline for the protection of vulnerable species, in the framework of adaptive management for marine conservation planning. |
Gerovasileiou, V; Dimitriadis, C; Arvanitidis, C; Voultsiadou, E Taxonomic and functional surrogates of sessile benthic diversity in Mediterranean marine caves Journal Article PLoS ONE, 12 (9), 2017, ISSN: 19326203, (Publisher: Public Library of Science). @article{gerovasileiou_taxonomic_2017, title = {Taxonomic and functional surrogates of sessile benthic diversity in Mediterranean marine caves}, author = {V Gerovasileiou and C Dimitriadis and C Arvanitidis and E Voultsiadou}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85028966068&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0183707&partnerID=40&md5=7e7304a8993fd3d5cba9f088e165a47d}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0183707}, issn = {19326203}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {12}, number = {9}, abstract = {Hard substrates host globally a rich biodiversity, orders of magnitude higher in species number than that in surrounding soft substrates. Among them, marine caves support unique biodiversity and fragile communities but suffer lack of quantitative data on their structure and function, hindering their conservation status assessment. A first approach to the nondestructive ecological monitoring of marine caves by testing surrogates of structural and functional composition of sessile benthos was attempted in two species-rich Mediterranean marine caves. Photographic sampling was performed in different positions on the cave walls, across the horizontal axis, from the entrance inwards. Eighty-four taxa were identified and assigned to 6 biological traits and 32 modalities related to morphology, behavior and ecological affinities, with sponges being the dominant taxon in species richness and coverage. In quest of possible biological surrogates, we examined the spatial variability of the total community structure and function and separately the sponge community structure and function. The observed patterns of the above metrics were significantly correlated with the distance from the entrance, the small-scale variability and their interaction. A positive correlation was found between all examined pairs of those metrics, supporting that: (i) the developed functional approach could be used for the study of marine cave sessile communities, and (ii) sponges could be used as a surrogate taxon for the structural and functional study of these communities. The suggested method could be tested in other types of hard substrate habitats and in multiple locations of the Mediterranean waters, facilitating monitoring schemes and conservation actions. © 2017 Gerovasileiou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.}, note = {Publisher: Public Library of Science}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Hard substrates host globally a rich biodiversity, orders of magnitude higher in species number than that in surrounding soft substrates. Among them, marine caves support unique biodiversity and fragile communities but suffer lack of quantitative data on their structure and function, hindering their conservation status assessment. A first approach to the nondestructive ecological monitoring of marine caves by testing surrogates of structural and functional composition of sessile benthos was attempted in two species-rich Mediterranean marine caves. Photographic sampling was performed in different positions on the cave walls, across the horizontal axis, from the entrance inwards. Eighty-four taxa were identified and assigned to 6 biological traits and 32 modalities related to morphology, behavior and ecological affinities, with sponges being the dominant taxon in species richness and coverage. In quest of possible biological surrogates, we examined the spatial variability of the total community structure and function and separately the sponge community structure and function. The observed patterns of the above metrics were significantly correlated with the distance from the entrance, the small-scale variability and their interaction. A positive correlation was found between all examined pairs of those metrics, supporting that: (i) the developed functional approach could be used for the study of marine cave sessile communities, and (ii) sponges could be used as a surrogate taxon for the structural and functional study of these communities. The suggested method could be tested in other types of hard substrate habitats and in multiple locations of the Mediterranean waters, facilitating monitoring schemes and conservation actions. © 2017 Gerovasileiou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
Aguilar, R; Marín, P; Gerovasileiou, V; Bakran-Petricioli, T; Ballesteros, T; Bazairi, H; Bianchi, CN; Bussotti, S; Canese, S; Chevaldonné, P; Evans, D; Fourt, M; Grinyó, J; Harmelin, J-G; de Jeudy,; Mačić, V; Orejas, C; Otero, M; Pergent, G; Petricioli, D; Ramos, E; Würtz, M Draft Guidelines for Inventoring and Monitoring Dark Habitats Technical Report UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA Tunis, 2017. @techreport{aguilar_draft_2017, title = {Draft Guidelines for Inventoring and Monitoring Dark Habitats}, author = {R Aguilar and P Marín and V Gerovasileiou and T Bakran-Petricioli and T Ballesteros and H Bazairi and CN Bianchi and S Bussotti and S Canese and P Chevaldonné and D Evans and M Fourt and J Grinyó and J-G Harmelin and de Jeudy and V Mačić and C Orejas and M Otero and G Pergent and D Petricioli and E Ramos and M Würtz}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, pages = {55}, address = {Tunis}, institution = {UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } |
Sanfilippo, Rossana; Rosso, Antonietta; Guido, Adriano; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Serpulid communities from two marine caves in the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean Journal Article Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 97 , pp. 1059–1068, 2017, (ISBN: 00253154 (ISSN)). @article{sanfilippo_serpulid_2017, title = {Serpulid communities from two marine caves in the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean}, author = {Rossana Sanfilippo and Antonietta Rosso and Adriano Guido and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, doi = {10.1017/S0025315417000297}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, journal = {Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom}, volume = {97}, pages = {1059--1068}, abstract = {This paper is a first detailed contribution to the knowledge of serpulid diversity from marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. A total of 27 taxa were recorded in two submerged caves of Lesvos Island, in the Aegean Sea. A clear trend of variability was observed with serpulid abundance, specifically that of sciaphilic and deep-sea species, increasing inwards while the number of taxa and species diversity did not change significantly across the two caves. In the innermost sectors of the studied caves two types of bioconstructions were observed: (a) ‘coiled doughnuts' of textbackslashtextlessitalictextbackslashtextgreaterProtulatextbackslashtextless/italictextbackslashtextgreater , recorded for the first time in Mediterranean caves; and (b) ‘biostalactites' mainly consisting of skeletal metazoans recorded for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean. The results of the present study revealed new faunal elements and type of bioconstructions for the Mediterranean marine caves, showing that several aspects of their communities are still poorly known and deserve to be further investigated.}, note = {ISBN: 00253154 (ISSN)}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper is a first detailed contribution to the knowledge of serpulid diversity from marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. A total of 27 taxa were recorded in two submerged caves of Lesvos Island, in the Aegean Sea. A clear trend of variability was observed with serpulid abundance, specifically that of sciaphilic and deep-sea species, increasing inwards while the number of taxa and species diversity did not change significantly across the two caves. In the innermost sectors of the studied caves two types of bioconstructions were observed: (a) ‘coiled doughnuts' of textbackslashtextlessitalictextbackslashtextgreaterProtulatextbackslashtextless/italictextbackslashtextgreater , recorded for the first time in Mediterranean caves; and (b) ‘biostalactites' mainly consisting of skeletal metazoans recorded for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean. The results of the present study revealed new faunal elements and type of bioconstructions for the Mediterranean marine caves, showing that several aspects of their communities are still poorly known and deserve to be further investigated. |
Gerovasileiou, V; Akel, EHKh; Akyol, O; Alongi, G; Azevedo, F; Babali, N; Bakiu, R; Bariche, M; Bennoui, A; Castriota, L; Chintiroglou, CC; Crocetta, F; Deidun, Α; Galinou-Mitsoudi, S; Giovos, Ι; Gökoğlu, M; Golemaj, Α; Hadjioannou, L; Hartingerova, J; Insacco, G; Katsanevakis, S; Kleitou, P; Korun, J; Lipej, L; Malegue, M; Michailidis, N; Tifoura, Mouzai A; Ovalis, P; Petović, S; Piraino, S; Rizkalla, SI; Rousou, M; Savva, I; Şen, H; Spinelli, A; Vougioukalou, KG; Xharahi, E; Zava, B; Zenetos, A New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July, 2017) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 18 , pp. 355–384, 2017, (ISBN: 9783319210117). @article{gerovasileiou_new_2017, title = {New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July, 2017)}, author = {V Gerovasileiou and EHKh Akel and O Akyol and G Alongi and F Azevedo and N Babali and R Bakiu and M Bariche and A Bennoui and L Castriota and CC Chintiroglou and F Crocetta and Α Deidun and S Galinou-Mitsoudi and Ι Giovos and M Gökoğlu and Α Golemaj and L Hadjioannou and J Hartingerova and G Insacco and S Katsanevakis and P Kleitou and J Korun and L Lipej and M Malegue and N Michailidis and A Mouzai Tifoura and P Ovalis and S Petović and S Piraino and SI Rizkalla and M Rousou and I Savva and H Şen and A Spinelli and KG Vougioukalou and E Xharahi and B Zava and A Zenetos}, doi = {10.12681/mms.13771}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {18}, pages = {355--384}, abstract = {This Collective Article presents information on 37 taxa belonging to 6 Phyla and extending from the western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. The new records were found in 10 countries as follows: Algeria: first reports on the presence of the fish species Lesueurigobius sanzi, L. friesii, L. suerii and Luvarus imperiali; France: first record of the alien nudibranch Godiva quadricolor; Italy: first record of an adult-sized red emperor snapper Lutjanus sebae from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea; first record of the pantropical rhodophyte Chondria curvilineata and the Lessepsian fish Siganus luridus from southern Sicily; record of a large pregnant female Dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus off Sicily; Albania: first record of the fish Ruvettus pretiosus, new records of the alien molluscs Conomurex persicus, Bursatella leachii, Dendostrea cf. folium, Fulvia fragilis and Ruditapes philippinarum and additional report of the alien bivalve Pinctada imbricata radiata; Montenegro: first record of the sea slug Thecacera pennigera in the Adriatic Sea; Greece: first record of the invasive calcarean sponge Paraleucilla magna in Greek waters; occupancy estimation of the established cryptogenic rhodophyte Ganonema farinosum, the alien crustacean Percnon gibbesi and the alien fish species Fistularia commersonii, Siganus luridus, and S. rivulatus along the Cretan coastline; first record of the alien mollusc Sticteulima lentiginosa in Greek waters suggesting a westward unintentional expansion of this species; Turkey: photographic evidence of interactions of the monk seal Monachus monachus with sea-cage farms in the Turkish Aegean Sea and first record of the yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus in the Turkish Mediterranean; Cyprus: first records of the rare speleophilic fish Thorogobius ephippiatus and Grammonus ater in Cyprus, extending the known distribution of the latter Mediterranean endemic species eastwards; first records of the alien fish Kyphosus vaigiensis and the alien crustacean species Macrophthalmus indicus and Carupa tenuipes as well as additional records of the alien echinoderm Diadema setosum and the alien ascidian Symplegma brakenhielmi in the country; Lebanon: first report on the presence of the four alien fish species Cephalopholis taeniops, Equulites popei, Pseudupeneus prayensis and Sphoeroides pachygaster; Egypt: first record of the Lessepsian fish Synchiropus sechellensis in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters.}, note = {ISBN: 9783319210117}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This Collective Article presents information on 37 taxa belonging to 6 Phyla and extending from the western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. The new records were found in 10 countries as follows: Algeria: first reports on the presence of the fish species Lesueurigobius sanzi, L. friesii, L. suerii and Luvarus imperiali; France: first record of the alien nudibranch Godiva quadricolor; Italy: first record of an adult-sized red emperor snapper Lutjanus sebae from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea; first record of the pantropical rhodophyte Chondria curvilineata and the Lessepsian fish Siganus luridus from southern Sicily; record of a large pregnant female Dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus off Sicily; Albania: first record of the fish Ruvettus pretiosus, new records of the alien molluscs Conomurex persicus, Bursatella leachii, Dendostrea cf. folium, Fulvia fragilis and Ruditapes philippinarum and additional report of the alien bivalve Pinctada imbricata radiata; Montenegro: first record of the sea slug Thecacera pennigera in the Adriatic Sea; Greece: first record of the invasive calcarean sponge Paraleucilla magna in Greek waters; occupancy estimation of the established cryptogenic rhodophyte Ganonema farinosum, the alien crustacean Percnon gibbesi and the alien fish species Fistularia commersonii, Siganus luridus, and S. rivulatus along the Cretan coastline; first record of the alien mollusc Sticteulima lentiginosa in Greek waters suggesting a westward unintentional expansion of this species; Turkey: photographic evidence of interactions of the monk seal Monachus monachus with sea-cage farms in the Turkish Aegean Sea and first record of the yellow boxfish Ostracion cubicus in the Turkish Mediterranean; Cyprus: first records of the rare speleophilic fish Thorogobius ephippiatus and Grammonus ater in Cyprus, extending the known distribution of the latter Mediterranean endemic species eastwards; first records of the alien fish Kyphosus vaigiensis and the alien crustacean species Macrophthalmus indicus and Carupa tenuipes as well as additional records of the alien echinoderm Diadema setosum and the alien ascidian Symplegma brakenhielmi in the country; Lebanon: first report on the presence of the four alien fish species Cephalopholis taeniops, Equulites popei, Pseudupeneus prayensis and Sphoeroides pachygaster; Egypt: first record of the Lessepsian fish Synchiropus sechellensis in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters. |
Voultsiadou, E; Gerovasileiou, V; Vandepitte, L; Ganias, K; Arvanitidis, C Aristotle's scientific contributions to the classification, nomenclature and distribution of marine organisms Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 18 (3), pp. 468–478, 2017, ISSN: 1108393X, (Publisher: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research). @article{voultsiadou_aristotles_2017, title = {Aristotle's scientific contributions to the classification, nomenclature and distribution of marine organisms}, author = {E Voultsiadou and V Gerovasileiou and L Vandepitte and K Ganias and C Arvanitidis}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041532062&doi=10.12681%2fmms.13874&partnerID=40&md5=0942c77f9cb51a440a40262d2c62cd58}, doi = {10.12681/mms.13874}, issn = {1108393X}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {468--478}, abstract = {The biological works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle include a significant amount of information on marine animals. This study is an overview of Aristotle's scientific contribution to the knowledge of marine biodiversity and specifically to taxonomic classification, nomenclature and distribution of marine species. Our results show that Aristotle's approach looks remarkably familiar to present day marine biologists since: (i) although not directly aiming at it, he gave a taxonomic classification of marine animals, which includes physical groups ranked on three levels at least; (ii) most of Aristotle's marine "major groups" correspond to taxa of the order rank in Linnaeus's classification and to taxa of the class rank in the current classification; (iii) a positive correlation was found between the number of taxa per group identified in Aristotle's writings and those described by Linnaeus; (iv) Aristotle's classification system exhibits similarities with the current one regarding the way taxa are distributed to higher categories; (v) a considerable number of Aristotle's marine animal names have been used for the creation of the scientific names currently in use; (vi) he was the first to give an account of Mediterranean marine fauna, focusing on the Aegean Sea and adjacent areas. In view of the above, we suggest that the foundations of marine taxonomy as laid down by Aristotle are still echoing today. © 2017, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research.}, note = {Publisher: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The biological works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle include a significant amount of information on marine animals. This study is an overview of Aristotle's scientific contribution to the knowledge of marine biodiversity and specifically to taxonomic classification, nomenclature and distribution of marine species. Our results show that Aristotle's approach looks remarkably familiar to present day marine biologists since: (i) although not directly aiming at it, he gave a taxonomic classification of marine animals, which includes physical groups ranked on three levels at least; (ii) most of Aristotle's marine "major groups" correspond to taxa of the order rank in Linnaeus's classification and to taxa of the class rank in the current classification; (iii) a positive correlation was found between the number of taxa per group identified in Aristotle's writings and those described by Linnaeus; (iv) Aristotle's classification system exhibits similarities with the current one regarding the way taxa are distributed to higher categories; (v) a considerable number of Aristotle's marine animal names have been used for the creation of the scientific names currently in use; (vi) he was the first to give an account of Mediterranean marine fauna, focusing on the Aegean Sea and adjacent areas. In view of the above, we suggest that the foundations of marine taxonomy as laid down by Aristotle are still echoing today. © 2017, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. |
Dailianis, Thanos; N, Papadopoulou; V, Gerovasileiou; K, Sevastou; J, Smith C; T, Bekkby; M, Bilan; C, Boström; C, Cerrano; R, Danovaro; D, Fiorentino; K, Gagnon; C, Gambi; A, Grehan; S, Kipson; C, Linares; T, Morato; H, Ojaveer; H, Orav-Kotta; A, Sarà; R, Scrimgeour Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (CEST2017), pp. CEST2017_00979, 2017. @inproceedings{dailianis_thanos_human_2017, title = {Human activities and pressures for key European marine habitats; a catalogue of map resources for the restoration project MERCES}, author = {Thanos Dailianis and Papadopoulou N and Gerovasileiou V and Sevastou K and Smith C J and Bekkby T and Bilan M and Boström C and Cerrano C and Danovaro R and Fiorentino D and Gagnon K and Gambi C and Grehan A and Kipson S and Linares C and Morato T and Ojaveer H and Orav-Kotta H and Sarà A and Scrimgeour R}, url = {https://cest2017.gnest.org/group/2261/proceedings.html}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (CEST2017)}, pages = {CEST2017_00979}, abstract = {Human activities crisscross the urban and coastal fabric, and expand into the off shore and deep sea, deriving numerous associated pressures often impacting marine habitats. A main goal of the ongoing MERCES project (http://www.merces-project.eu/) is to produce a catalogue of available maps for existing activities and pressures in the European Seas. To this end, we compiled a catalogue with mapping sources for maritime activities, as well as endogenous and exogenous pressures that could potentially drive key-habitat changes. It currently includes more than 250 entries covering several key coastal and deep sea habitats, comprising published records, web resources, and grey literature. Fisheries, coastal marine infrastructure and transport are the most featured activities at the broad scale maps. Aquaculture and tourism rank high at the sublittoral habitats maps and research/conservation at the deep-sea records. Chemical pressures and biological invasions rank high at the broad scale followed by litter, abrasion and extraction of species. These last 3 pressures seem to be the most mapped pressures in deep-sea records. Mapping the location and intensity of marine activities has been steadily increasing, and could be valuable when overlaid on key habitats, aiding spatial planning and conservation by linking pressures to mitigation and restoration efforts.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Human activities crisscross the urban and coastal fabric, and expand into the off shore and deep sea, deriving numerous associated pressures often impacting marine habitats. A main goal of the ongoing MERCES project (http://www.merces-project.eu/) is to produce a catalogue of available maps for existing activities and pressures in the European Seas. To this end, we compiled a catalogue with mapping sources for maritime activities, as well as endogenous and exogenous pressures that could potentially drive key-habitat changes. It currently includes more than 250 entries covering several key coastal and deep sea habitats, comprising published records, web resources, and grey literature. Fisheries, coastal marine infrastructure and transport are the most featured activities at the broad scale maps. Aquaculture and tourism rank high at the sublittoral habitats maps and research/conservation at the deep-sea records. Chemical pressures and biological invasions rank high at the broad scale followed by litter, abrasion and extraction of species. These last 3 pressures seem to be the most mapped pressures in deep-sea records. Mapping the location and intensity of marine activities has been steadily increasing, and could be valuable when overlaid on key habitats, aiding spatial planning and conservation by linking pressures to mitigation and restoration efforts. |
Vasilis, Gerovasileiou; Ricardo, Aguilar; Pilar, Marín Guidelines for inventorying and monitoring of dark habitats in the Mediterranean Sea Book SPA/RAC - Deep Sea Lebanon Project, Tunis, 2017. @book{gerovasileiou_vasilis_guidelines_2017, title = {Guidelines for inventorying and monitoring of dark habitats in the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {Gerovasileiou Vasilis and Aguilar Ricardo and Marín Pilar}, url = {http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_medkey2/deep_sea_en.pdf}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-01-01}, publisher = {SPA/RAC - Deep Sea Lebanon Project}, address = {Tunis}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {book} } |
2016 |
Dailianis, T; Akyol, O; Babali, N; Bariche, M; Crocetta, F; Gerovasileiou, V; Chanem, R; Gökoğlu, M; Hasiotis, T; Izquierdo-Muñoz, A; Julian, D; Katsanevakis, S; Lipez, L; Mancini, E; Mytilineou, Ch.; Amor, Ounifi Ben K; Özgül, A; Ragkousis, M; Rubio-Portillo, E; Servello, G; Sini, K; Stamouli, C; Sterioti, A; Teker, S; Tiralongo, F; Trkov, D New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July 2016) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 17 (2), pp. 608, 2016, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{dailianis_new_2016, title = {New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July 2016)}, author = {T Dailianis and O Akyol and N Babali and M Bariche and F Crocetta and V Gerovasileiou and R Chanem and M Gökoğlu and T Hasiotis and A Izquierdo-Muñoz and D Julian and S Katsanevakis and L Lipez and E Mancini and Ch. Mytilineou and K Ounifi Ben Amor and A Özgül and M Ragkousis and E Rubio-Portillo and G Servello and K Sini and C Stamouli and A Sterioti and S Teker and F Tiralongo and D Trkov}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/13484}, doi = {10.12681/mms.1734}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-07-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {17}, number = {2}, pages = {608}, abstract = {This contribution forms part of a series of collective articles published regularly in Mediterranean Marine Science that report on new biodiversity records from the Mediterranean basin. The current article presents 51 geographically distinct records for 21 taxa belonging to 6 Phyla, extending from the western Mediterranean to the Levantine. The new records, per country, are as follows: Spain: the cryptogenic calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna is reported from a new location in the Alicante region. Algeria: the rare Atlanto-Mediterranean bivalve Cardium indicum is reported from Annaba. Tunisia: new distribution records for the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois miles from Zembra Island and Cape Bon. Italy: the ark clam Anadara transversa is reported from mussel cultures in the Gulf of Naples, while the amphipod Caprella scaura and the isopods Paracerceis sculpta and Paranthura japonica are reported as associated to the –also allochthonous–bryozoan Amathia verticillata in the Adriatic Sea; in the latter region, the cosmopolitan Atlantic tripletail Lobotes surinamensisis also reported, a rare finding for the Mediterranean. Slovenia: a new record of the non-indigenous nudibranch Polycera hedgpethi in the Adriatic. Greece: several new reports of the introduced scleractinian Oculina patagonica, the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina, the blunthead puffer Sphoeroides pachygaster (all Atlantic), and the lionfish Pterois miles (Indo-Pacific) suggest their ongoing establishment in the Aegean Sea; the deepest bathymetric record of the invasive alga Caulerpa cylindracea in the Mediterranean Sea is also registered in the Kyklades, at depths exceeding 70 m. Turkey: new distribution records for two non indigenous crustaceans, the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Atlantic origin) and the moon crab Matuta victor (Indo-Pacific origin) from the Bay of Izmir and Antalya, respectively; in the latter region, the Red Sea goatfish Parupeneus forsskali, is also reported. Lebanon: an array of records of 5 alien and one native Mediterranean species is reported by citizen-scientists; the Pacific jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata and the Indo-Pacific teleosteans Tylerius spinosissimus, Ostracion cubicus, and Lutjanus argentimaculatus are reported from the Lebanese coast, the latter notably being the second record for the species in the Mediterranean Sea since 1977; the native sand snake-eel Ophisurus serpens, rare in the eastern Mediterranean, is reported for the first time from Lebanon, this being its easternmost distribution range; finally, a substantial number of sightings of the lionfish Pterois miles further confirm the current establishment of this lessepsian species in the Levantine.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This contribution forms part of a series of collective articles published regularly in Mediterranean Marine Science that report on new biodiversity records from the Mediterranean basin. The current article presents 51 geographically distinct records for 21 taxa belonging to 6 Phyla, extending from the western Mediterranean to the Levantine. The new records, per country, are as follows: Spain: the cryptogenic calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna is reported from a new location in the Alicante region. Algeria: the rare Atlanto-Mediterranean bivalve Cardium indicum is reported from Annaba. Tunisia: new distribution records for the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois miles from Zembra Island and Cape Bon. Italy: the ark clam Anadara transversa is reported from mussel cultures in the Gulf of Naples, while the amphipod Caprella scaura and the isopods Paracerceis sculpta and Paranthura japonica are reported as associated to the –also allochthonous–bryozoan Amathia verticillata in the Adriatic Sea; in the latter region, the cosmopolitan Atlantic tripletail Lobotes surinamensisis also reported, a rare finding for the Mediterranean. Slovenia: a new record of the non-indigenous nudibranch Polycera hedgpethi in the Adriatic. Greece: several new reports of the introduced scleractinian Oculina patagonica, the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina, the blunthead puffer Sphoeroides pachygaster (all Atlantic), and the lionfish Pterois miles (Indo-Pacific) suggest their ongoing establishment in the Aegean Sea; the deepest bathymetric record of the invasive alga Caulerpa cylindracea in the Mediterranean Sea is also registered in the Kyklades, at depths exceeding 70 m. Turkey: new distribution records for two non indigenous crustaceans, the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Atlantic origin) and the moon crab Matuta victor (Indo-Pacific origin) from the Bay of Izmir and Antalya, respectively; in the latter region, the Red Sea goatfish Parupeneus forsskali, is also reported. Lebanon: an array of records of 5 alien and one native Mediterranean species is reported by citizen-scientists; the Pacific jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata and the Indo-Pacific teleosteans Tylerius spinosissimus, Ostracion cubicus, and Lutjanus argentimaculatus are reported from the Lebanese coast, the latter notably being the second record for the species in the Mediterranean Sea since 1977; the native sand snake-eel Ophisurus serpens, rare in the eastern Mediterranean, is reported for the first time from Lebanon, this being its easternmost distribution range; finally, a substantial number of sightings of the lionfish Pterois miles further confirm the current establishment of this lessepsian species in the Levantine. |
Mavraki, D; Fanini, L; Tsompanou, M; Gerovasileiou, V; Nikolopoulou, S; Chatzinikolaou, E; Plaitis, W; Faulwetter, S Rescuing biogeographic legacy data: The "Thor" Expedition, a historical oceanographic expedition to the Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 (1), 2016, ISSN: 13142828, (Publisher: Pensoft Publishers). @article{mavraki_rescuing_2016, title = {Rescuing biogeographic legacy data: The "Thor" Expedition, a historical oceanographic expedition to the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {D Mavraki and L Fanini and M Tsompanou and V Gerovasileiou and S Nikolopoulou and E Chatzinikolaou and W Plaitis and S Faulwetter}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018653928&doi=10.3897%2fBDJ.4.e11054&partnerID=40&md5=d548ea13a533ece32aee66df08954a37}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e11054}, issn = {13142828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, abstract = {Background This article describes the digitization of a series of historical datasets based ?n the reports of the 1908-1910 Danish Oceanographical Expeditions to the Mediterranean and adjacent seas. All station and sampling metadata as well as biodiversity data regarding calcareous rhodophytes, pelagic polychaetes, and fish (families Engraulidae and Clupeidae) obtained during these expeditions were digitized within the activities of the LifeWatchGreece Research ?nfrastructure project and presented in the present paper. The aim was to safeguard public data availability by using an open access infrastructure, and to prevent potential loss of valuable historical data on the Mediterranean marine biodiversity. New information The datasets digitized here cover 2,043 samples taken at 567 stations during a time period from 1904 to 1930 in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas. The samples resulted in 1,588 occurrence records of pelagic polychaetes, fish (Clupeiformes) and calcareous algae (Rhodophyta). In addition, basic environmental data (e.g. sea surface temperature, salinity) as well as meterological conditions are included for most sampling events. In addition to the description of the digitized datasets, a detailed description of the problems encountered during the digitization of this historical dataset and a discussion on the value of such data are provided. © Mavraki D et al.}, note = {Publisher: Pensoft Publishers}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Background This article describes the digitization of a series of historical datasets based ?n the reports of the 1908-1910 Danish Oceanographical Expeditions to the Mediterranean and adjacent seas. All station and sampling metadata as well as biodiversity data regarding calcareous rhodophytes, pelagic polychaetes, and fish (families Engraulidae and Clupeidae) obtained during these expeditions were digitized within the activities of the LifeWatchGreece Research ?nfrastructure project and presented in the present paper. The aim was to safeguard public data availability by using an open access infrastructure, and to prevent potential loss of valuable historical data on the Mediterranean marine biodiversity. New information The datasets digitized here cover 2,043 samples taken at 567 stations during a time period from 1904 to 1930 in the Mediterranean and adjacent seas. The samples resulted in 1,588 occurrence records of pelagic polychaetes, fish (Clupeiformes) and calcareous algae (Rhodophyta). In addition, basic environmental data (e.g. sea surface temperature, salinity) as well as meterological conditions are included for most sampling events. In addition to the description of the digitized datasets, a detailed description of the problems encountered during the digitization of this historical dataset and a discussion on the value of such data are provided. © Mavraki D et al. |
Gerovasileiou, V; Dailianis, T; Panteri, E; Michalakis, N; Gatti, G; Sini, M; Dimitriadis, C; Issaris, Y; Salomidi, M; Filiopoulou, I; Doğan, A; d'Avray, L T V; David, R; Çinar, M E; Koutsoubas, D; Féral, J -P; Arvanitidis, C Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 (1), 2016, ISSN: 13142828, (Publisher: Pensoft Publishers). @article{gerovasileiou_cigesmed_2016, title = {CIGESMED for divers: Establishing a citizen science initiative for the mapping and monitoring of coralligenous assemblages in the Mediterranean Sea}, author = {V Gerovasileiou and T Dailianis and E Panteri and N Michalakis and G Gatti and M Sini and C Dimitriadis and Y Issaris and M Salomidi and I Filiopoulou and A Doğan and L T V d'Avray and R David and M E Çinar and D Koutsoubas and J -P Féral and C Arvanitidis}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018641504&doi=10.3897%2fBDJ.4.e8692&partnerID=40&md5=44c645ca189b05f7ffb7e1d895a0db95}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e8692}, issn = {13142828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, abstract = {Background Over the last decade, inventorying and monitoring of marine biodiversity has significantly benefited from the active engagement of volunteers. Although several Citizen Science projects concern tropical reef ecosystems worldwide, none of the existing initiatives has yet specifically focused on their Mediterranean equivalents. Mediterranean coralline reefs, known as "coralligenous", are bioherms primarily built by calcifying rhodophytes on hard substrates under dim-light conditions; they are considered hotspots of biodiversity and are extremely popular among divers due to their complex structure, conspicuous biological wealth and high aesthetic value. Nevertheless, data on their distribution, structure and conservation status is lacking for several Mediterranean areas while they are vulnerable to an increasing number of threats. New information In the framework of CIGESMED SeasEra (ERAnet) project a specialized Citizen Science project was launched, aiming to engage enthusiast divers in the study and monitoring of Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages through the gathering of basic information regarding their spatial occurrence, assemblage structure and associated pressures or threats. For its active implementation, a data collection protocol and a multilingual website were developed, comprising an educational module and a data submission platform. Georeferenced data reporting focuses on: (a) basic topographic and abiotic features for the preliminary description of each site, and the creation of data series for sites receiving multiple visits; (b) presence and relative abundance of typical conspicuous species, as well as (c) existence of pressures and imminent threats, for the characterization and assessment of coralligenous assemblages. A variety of tools is provided to facilitate end users, while divers have the choice to report additional information and are encouraged to upload their photographs. The long-term goal is the development of an active community of amateur observers providing widespread and ecologically significant data on coralligenous assemblages. © Gerovasileiou V et al.}, note = {Publisher: Pensoft Publishers}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Background Over the last decade, inventorying and monitoring of marine biodiversity has significantly benefited from the active engagement of volunteers. Although several Citizen Science projects concern tropical reef ecosystems worldwide, none of the existing initiatives has yet specifically focused on their Mediterranean equivalents. Mediterranean coralline reefs, known as "coralligenous", are bioherms primarily built by calcifying rhodophytes on hard substrates under dim-light conditions; they are considered hotspots of biodiversity and are extremely popular among divers due to their complex structure, conspicuous biological wealth and high aesthetic value. Nevertheless, data on their distribution, structure and conservation status is lacking for several Mediterranean areas while they are vulnerable to an increasing number of threats. New information In the framework of CIGESMED SeasEra (ERAnet) project a specialized Citizen Science project was launched, aiming to engage enthusiast divers in the study and monitoring of Mediterranean coralligenous assemblages through the gathering of basic information regarding their spatial occurrence, assemblage structure and associated pressures or threats. For its active implementation, a data collection protocol and a multilingual website were developed, comprising an educational module and a data submission platform. Georeferenced data reporting focuses on: (a) basic topographic and abiotic features for the preliminary description of each site, and the creation of data series for sites receiving multiple visits; (b) presence and relative abundance of typical conspicuous species, as well as (c) existence of pressures and imminent threats, for the characterization and assessment of coralligenous assemblages. A variety of tools is provided to facilitate end users, while divers have the choice to report additional information and are encouraged to upload their photographs. The long-term goal is the development of an active community of amateur observers providing widespread and ecologically significant data on coralligenous assemblages. © Gerovasileiou V et al. |
Arvanitidis, C; Chatzinikolaou, E; Gerovasileiou, V; Panteri, E; Bailly, N; Minadakis, N; Hardisty, A; Los, W LifeWatchGreece: Construction and operation of the National Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 (1), 2016, ISSN: 13142828, (Publisher: Pensoft Publishers). @article{arvanitidis_lifewatchgreece_2016, title = {LifeWatchGreece: Construction and operation of the National Research Infrastructure (ESFRI)}, author = {C Arvanitidis and E Chatzinikolaou and V Gerovasileiou and E Panteri and N Bailly and N Minadakis and A Hardisty and W Los}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018632519&doi=10.3897%2fBDJ.4.e10791&partnerID=40&md5=f22c1a62b4935d0cf013e712070da1b5}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e10791}, issn = {13142828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, note = {Publisher: Pensoft Publishers}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Bailly, N; Gerovasileiou, V; Arvanitidis, C; Legakis, A Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 (1), 2016, ISSN: 13142828, (Publisher: Pensoft Publishers). @article{bailly_introduction_2016, title = {Introduction to the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS) in LifeWatchGreece: The construction of the Preliminary Checklists of Species of Greece}, author = {N Bailly and V Gerovasileiou and C Arvanitidis and A Legakis}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018650313&doi=10.3897%2fBDJ.4.e7959&partnerID=40&md5=1f6351c142359acb9fee6b2e29b73393}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e7959}, issn = {13142828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, number = {1}, abstract = {The Greek Taxon Information System is an initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) that is resuming efforts to compile a complete checklist of all species reported from the Greek territory. Such an effort is necessary as a requirement for all signatories of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Greece is a signatory since 1994). Over an estimation published in 2004 according to which 50,000 species are present in Greece, belonging to most kingdoms except bacteria and viruses, a list of 35,000 valid species (and subspecies) has been assembled from previous national and European initiatives and specialized databases on various groups. A new database will be progressively set up in the LifeWatchGreece Infrastructure within the near future. Before the dissemination of this dataset, it is important that the checklists will be validated by specialists for each taxonomic group. The first step already accomplished was to build and publish Preliminary Checklists for some taxonomic groups of marine fauna, which have been validated by specialists on the basis of their expertise and secondary literature. The publication of these Preliminary Checklists is expected to increase the visibility and usability of the database in the future not only to the scientific community but also to the broader domain of biodiversity management, especially in cases where no such checklists have been published yet. The guidelines used to test the first taxonomic groups are presented in this paper. © Bailly N et al.}, note = {Publisher: Pensoft Publishers}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The Greek Taxon Information System is an initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) that is resuming efforts to compile a complete checklist of all species reported from the Greek territory. Such an effort is necessary as a requirement for all signatories of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Greece is a signatory since 1994). Over an estimation published in 2004 according to which 50,000 species are present in Greece, belonging to most kingdoms except bacteria and viruses, a list of 35,000 valid species (and subspecies) has been assembled from previous national and European initiatives and specialized databases on various groups. A new database will be progressively set up in the LifeWatchGreece Infrastructure within the near future. Before the dissemination of this dataset, it is important that the checklists will be validated by specialists for each taxonomic group. The first step already accomplished was to build and publish Preliminary Checklists for some taxonomic groups of marine fauna, which have been validated by specialists on the basis of their expertise and secondary literature. The publication of these Preliminary Checklists is expected to increase the visibility and usability of the database in the future not only to the scientific community but also to the broader domain of biodiversity management, especially in cases where no such checklists have been published yet. The guidelines used to test the first taxonomic groups are presented in this paper. © Bailly N et al. |
Mytilineou, C; Akel, E H K; Babali, N; Balistreri, P; Bariche, M; Boyaci, Y Ö; Cilenti, L; Constantinou, C; Crocetta, F; Çelik, M; Dereli, H; Dounas, C; Durucan, F; Garrido, A; Gerovasileiou, V; Kapiris, K; Kebapcioglu, T; Kleitou, P; Krystalas, A; Lipej, L; Maina, I; Marakis, P; Mavric, B; Moussa, R; Peña-Rivas, L; Poursanidis, D; Renda, W; Rizkalla, S I; Rosso, A; Scirocco, T; Sciuto, F; Servello, G; Tiralongo, F; Yapici, S; Zenetos, A A New mediterranean biodiversity records (November, 2016) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 17 (3), pp. 794–821, 2016, ISSN: 1108393X, (Publisher: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research). @article{mytilineou_new_2016, title = {New mediterranean biodiversity records (November, 2016)}, author = {C Mytilineou and E H K Akel and N Babali and P Balistreri and M Bariche and Y Ö Boyaci and L Cilenti and C Constantinou and F Crocetta and M Çelik and H Dereli and C Dounas and F Durucan and A Garrido and V Gerovasileiou and K Kapiris and T Kebapcioglu and P Kleitou and A Krystalas and L Lipej and I Maina and P Marakis and B Mavric and R Moussa and L Peña-Rivas and D Poursanidis and W Renda and S I Rizkalla and A Rosso and T Scirocco and F Sciuto and G Servello and F Tiralongo and S Yapici and A A Zenetos}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85025683855&doi=10.12681%2fmms.1976&partnerID=40&md5=d1378e8afcb69241267862c9000f5d07}, doi = {10.12681/mms.1976}, issn = {1108393X}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {17}, number = {3}, pages = {794--821}, abstract = {This Collective Article presents information on 26 taxa belonging to 8 Phyla and extending from the western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. The new records were found in 9 countries as follows: Spain: first record for the Mediterranean of the crab Cancer bellianus; Algeria: further records of the alien fish Lagocephalus sceleratus in western Algerian waters; Italy: first report on the presence and establishment of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in Lessina and Varano Lagoons (W. Adriatic) and of Penaeus aztecus in Corigliano Gulf (Italian Ionian). Moreover, the extension of the distribution range of the polychaete Branchiomma bairdi to W. Sicily as well as that of the crab Ocypode cursor and the bryozoan Catenicella paradoxa to E. Sicily are cited. Slovenia: the record of the rare saccoglossan gastropod Placida cremoniana from Piran (Gulf of Trieste) is the first for the Adriatic; Greece: the native sea slug Eubranchus farrani is the first from the Eastern Mediterranean; many sightings of the bamboo corals Isididae distributed along all the E. Ionian Sea and the establishment of P. aztecus in all Greek waters are also reported for first time; the westernmost extension of the alien urchin Diadema setosum in Cretan waters is cited and new sightings of the alien species Goniobranchus annulatus and Pterois miles are presented. Turkey: the alien fish Champsodon capensis is reported for first time from the Aegean Sea and the native acari Agauopsis microrhyncha from the Levantine Sea; a new observation of the alien crab Atergatis roseus in Güllük Bay-Aegean is also mentioned; Cyprus: first records of the alien urchin D. setosum and Lobotes surinamensis in Cypriot waters; Lebanon: several sightings of Monachus monachus from Lebanese waters indicate a potential better status for the species in the area; Egypt: first records of the alien crab Dorippe quadridens and the alien gastropods Nerita sanguinolenta and Conomurex persicus from the Mediterranean Egyptian waters; extension of the distribution range of Diodora funiculata and Diodora rueppellii and a second record of the alien Fulvia fragilis in the same area.}, note = {Publisher: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This Collective Article presents information on 26 taxa belonging to 8 Phyla and extending from the western Mediterranean to the Levantine Sea. The new records were found in 9 countries as follows: Spain: first record for the Mediterranean of the crab Cancer bellianus; Algeria: further records of the alien fish Lagocephalus sceleratus in western Algerian waters; Italy: first report on the presence and establishment of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in Lessina and Varano Lagoons (W. Adriatic) and of Penaeus aztecus in Corigliano Gulf (Italian Ionian). Moreover, the extension of the distribution range of the polychaete Branchiomma bairdi to W. Sicily as well as that of the crab Ocypode cursor and the bryozoan Catenicella paradoxa to E. Sicily are cited. Slovenia: the record of the rare saccoglossan gastropod Placida cremoniana from Piran (Gulf of Trieste) is the first for the Adriatic; Greece: the native sea slug Eubranchus farrani is the first from the Eastern Mediterranean; many sightings of the bamboo corals Isididae distributed along all the E. Ionian Sea and the establishment of P. aztecus in all Greek waters are also reported for first time; the westernmost extension of the alien urchin Diadema setosum in Cretan waters is cited and new sightings of the alien species Goniobranchus annulatus and Pterois miles are presented. Turkey: the alien fish Champsodon capensis is reported for first time from the Aegean Sea and the native acari Agauopsis microrhyncha from the Levantine Sea; a new observation of the alien crab Atergatis roseus in Güllük Bay-Aegean is also mentioned; Cyprus: first records of the alien urchin D. setosum and Lobotes surinamensis in Cypriot waters; Lebanon: several sightings of Monachus monachus from Lebanese waters indicate a potential better status for the species in the area; Egypt: first records of the alien crab Dorippe quadridens and the alien gastropods Nerita sanguinolenta and Conomurex persicus from the Mediterranean Egyptian waters; extension of the distribution range of Diodora funiculata and Diodora rueppellii and a second record of the alien Fulvia fragilis in the same area. |
Konstantinou, Despoina; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Gkelis, Spyros First Report Of Leptolyngbya (Cyanobacteria) Species Associated With Marine Sponges In The Aegean Sea Inproceedings Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée, pp. 270, CIESM Publisher, Kiel, 2016. @inproceedings{konstantinou_first_2016, title = {First Report Of Leptolyngbya (Cyanobacteria) Species Associated With Marine Sponges In The Aegean Sea}, author = {Despoina Konstantinou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou and Spyros Gkelis}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, booktitle = {Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée}, pages = {270}, publisher = {CIESM Publisher}, address = {Kiel}, abstract = {Sponge associations with cyanobacteria have been poorly investigated in the eastern Mediterranean. Herein, the marine sponges Acanthella acuta, Chondrilla nucula, Dysidea avara, and Petrosia ficiformis from the Aegean Sea were found associated with cyanobacteria of the genus Leptolyngbya, using culture-dependent methods. Four Leptolyngbya strains with distinct morphology and phylogeny, were isolated.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Sponge associations with cyanobacteria have been poorly investigated in the eastern Mediterranean. Herein, the marine sponges Acanthella acuta, Chondrilla nucula, Dysidea avara, and Petrosia ficiformis from the Aegean Sea were found associated with cyanobacteria of the genus Leptolyngbya, using culture-dependent methods. Four Leptolyngbya strains with distinct morphology and phylogeny, were isolated. |
Koulouri, Panayota; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas Cumacea of Greece: a preliminary checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e9287, 2016. @article{koulouri_cumacea_2016, title = {Cumacea of Greece: a preliminary checklist}, author = {Panayota Koulouri and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/9287/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e9287}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e9287}, abstract = {The first attempt to compile the checklist of Cumacea of Greece was made in the context of the "Greek Biodiversity Database" project (2005-2008) coordinated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Since then, only scattered information on new elements of the Greek cumacean fauna has been available. The objectives of the present study were to update and cross-check taxonomically all cumacean species records from Greek waters for inaccuracies and omissions according to the recent literature and current taxonomic status.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The updated checklist of Cumacea of Greece, which was built within the framework of the LifeWatch Greece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) project (2013-2015) coordinated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, comprises 62 species, classified in 24 genera and 6 families. However, a few more records need further cross-checking with the current literature resources.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The first attempt to compile the checklist of Cumacea of Greece was made in the context of the "Greek Biodiversity Database" project (2005-2008) coordinated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Since then, only scattered information on new elements of the Greek cumacean fauna has been available. The objectives of the present study were to update and cross-check taxonomically all cumacean species records from Greek waters for inaccuracies and omissions according to the recent literature and current taxonomic status.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The updated checklist of Cumacea of Greece, which was built within the framework of the LifeWatch Greece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) project (2013-2015) coordinated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, comprises 62 species, classified in 24 genera and 6 families. However, a few more records need further cross-checking with the current literature resources. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas Brachiopoda of Greece: an annotated checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e8169, 2016, ISSN: 1314-2828. @article{gerovasileiou_brachiopoda_2016, title = {Brachiopoda of Greece: an annotated checklist}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/8169/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e8169}, issn = {1314-2828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e8169}, abstract = {Until today, only scattered species records of Brachiopoda from Greece have been included in publications on the Mediterranean brachiopod fauna. These records were mostly based on material collected during marine expeditions in the eastern Mediterranean decades ago, while few recent additional records appear in ecological studies. The aim of this paper was to give the first checklist of brachiopod species of Greece, in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS) initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI), by reviewing the existing literature.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n Twelve brachiopod species have been found in Greek waters so far. The nomenclature, distribution, fossil records, ecology, and literature sources are discussed for each species.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Until today, only scattered species records of Brachiopoda from Greece have been included in publications on the Mediterranean brachiopod fauna. These records were mostly based on material collected during marine expeditions in the eastern Mediterranean decades ago, while few recent additional records appear in ecological studies. The aim of this paper was to give the first checklist of brachiopod species of Greece, in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS) initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI), by reviewing the existing literature.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n Twelve brachiopod species have been found in Greek waters so far. The nomenclature, distribution, fossil records, ecology, and literature sources are discussed for each species. |
Antoniadou, Chryssanthi; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas Ascidiacea (Chordata: Tunicata) of Greece: an updated checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e9273, 2016, ISSN: 1314-2828. @article{antoniadou_ascidiacea_2016, title = {Ascidiacea (Chordata: Tunicata) of Greece: an updated checklist}, author = {Chryssanthi Antoniadou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/9273/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e9273}, issn = {1314-2828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e9273}, abstract = {The checklist of Porifera of Greece was created in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), an initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) that has resumed efforts to compile a complete checklist of species recorded from Greece. An updated checklist of Porifera was created on the basis of a list of the Aegean Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha published one decade ago. All records of species known to occur in Greek waters were taxonomically validated and cross-checked for possible inaccuracies and omissions. Then, all recent publications were reviewed and the species recorded from 2006 to date were added to the list.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The updated checklist of Porifera of Greece comprises 215 species, classified to 111 genera, 65 families, 24 orders, and 4 classes. In total, 34 new additions were made to the previous species list (8 Calcarea, 17 Demospongiae, 1 Hexactinellida, and 6 Homoscleromorpha) with Calcarea being listed for the first time from the area. The demosponge orders Poecilosclerida, Dictyoceratida, Tetractinellida, Haplosclerida, and Suberitida have the highest number of species covering 62% of the known Greek sponge species richness. It is worth mentioning that 8 species have been first described from Greek waters, 7 of which are considered endemic to this area. Our bibliographic overview also revealed knowledge gaps with regard to specific habitats typically rich in sponge diversity, and marine sectors of Greece.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The checklist of Porifera of Greece was created in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), an initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) that has resumed efforts to compile a complete checklist of species recorded from Greece. An updated checklist of Porifera was created on the basis of a list of the Aegean Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha published one decade ago. All records of species known to occur in Greek waters were taxonomically validated and cross-checked for possible inaccuracies and omissions. Then, all recent publications were reviewed and the species recorded from 2006 to date were added to the list.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The updated checklist of Porifera of Greece comprises 215 species, classified to 111 genera, 65 families, 24 orders, and 4 classes. In total, 34 new additions were made to the previous species list (8 Calcarea, 17 Demospongiae, 1 Hexactinellida, and 6 Homoscleromorpha) with Calcarea being listed for the first time from the area. The demosponge orders Poecilosclerida, Dictyoceratida, Tetractinellida, Haplosclerida, and Suberitida have the highest number of species covering 62% of the known Greek sponge species richness. It is worth mentioning that 8 species have been first described from Greek waters, 7 of which are considered endemic to this area. Our bibliographic overview also revealed knowledge gaps with regard to specific habitats typically rich in sponge diversity, and marine sectors of Greece. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Chintiroglou, Chariton Charles C C; Konstantinou, Despoina; Voultsiadou, Eleni Sponges as “living hotels” in Mediterranean marine caves Journal Article Scientia Marina, 80 (3), pp. 279–289, 2016, ISSN: 18868134, (ISBN: 0214-8358). @article{gerovasileiou_sponges_2016, title = {Sponges as “living hotels” in Mediterranean marine caves}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Chariton Charles C C Chintiroglou and Despoina Konstantinou and Eleni Voultsiadou}, doi = {10.3989/scimar.04403.14B}, issn = {18868134}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Scientia Marina}, volume = {80}, number = {3}, pages = {279--289}, abstract = {Although sponges constitute the dominant sessile organisms in marine caves, their functional role as ecosystem engineers has received little attention in this habitat type. In this study the associated macrofauna of the massive/tubular ecosystem-engineering sponges Agelas oroides and Aplysina aerophoba was studied across distinct ecological zones of two eastern Mediterranean caves. Our results revealed that the examined sponges supported a considerable associated macrofauna. A total of 86 associated taxa were found, including species reported for the first time as sponge symbionts and typical cave dwellers. Crustaceans predominated in terms of abundance but polychaetes showed the highest number of taxa. A clear differentiation was observed in the structure of the associated assemblage between the two sponges, attributed not only to the sponge species but also to differences in the surrounding environment. Density, diversity and the trophic structure of the sponge-associated macrofauna did not vary significantly along the horizontal axis of the surveyed caves. These findings suggest that sponges form a quite stable habitat, maintaining their functional role as ecosystem engineers across the studied marine caves and increasing habitat complexity in the impoverished inner dark cave sectors.}, note = {ISBN: 0214-8358}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Although sponges constitute the dominant sessile organisms in marine caves, their functional role as ecosystem engineers has received little attention in this habitat type. In this study the associated macrofauna of the massive/tubular ecosystem-engineering sponges Agelas oroides and Aplysina aerophoba was studied across distinct ecological zones of two eastern Mediterranean caves. Our results revealed that the examined sponges supported a considerable associated macrofauna. A total of 86 associated taxa were found, including species reported for the first time as sponge symbionts and typical cave dwellers. Crustaceans predominated in terms of abundance but polychaetes showed the highest number of taxa. A clear differentiation was observed in the structure of the associated assemblage between the two sponges, attributed not only to the sponge species but also to differences in the surrounding environment. Density, diversity and the trophic structure of the sponge-associated macrofauna did not vary significantly along the horizontal axis of the surveyed caves. These findings suggest that sponges form a quite stable habitat, maintaining their functional role as ecosystem engineers across the studied marine caves and increasing habitat complexity in the impoverished inner dark cave sectors. |
Evagelopoulos, Athanasios; Koutsoubas, Drosos; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Katsiaras, Nikolaos Macrobenthic molluscs from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition in Lesvos Island (Greece) Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e9541, 2016, ISSN: 1314-2828. @article{evagelopoulos_macrobenthic_2016, title = {Macrobenthic molluscs from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition in Lesvos Island (Greece)}, author = {Athanasios Evagelopoulos and Drosos Koutsoubas and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nikolaos Katsiaras}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/9541/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e9541}, issn = {1314-2828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e9541}, abstract = {This paper describes an occurence dataset, also including numerical abundance and biomass data, pertaining to the macrobenthic molluscan assemblages from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition. The study system was the soft-substrate benthoscape of the area of the Kalloni solar saltworks (Lesvos Island, Greece). Specifically, the study area extended from the infralittoral zone of the inner Kalloni Gulf (marine habitat) to the bottoms of the first two evaporation ponds of the Kalloni solar saltworks (lagoonal habitat). Bottom sediment samples (3 replicates) were collected with a Van Veen grab sampler (0.1 m2) at four sampling sites, along a 1.5 km long line transect that spanned the marine - lagoonal environmental transition. A total of four surveys were carried out seasonally in 2004. A total of 39,345 molluscan individuals were sorted out of the sediment samples and were identified to 71 species, belonging to the Gastropoda (36), Bivalvia (34) and Scaphopoda (1) classes. Numerical abundance and wet biomass (with shells) data are included in the dataset.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The dataset described in the present paper partially fills a significant gap in the scientific literature: Because ecological research of coastal lagoons has seldom explicitly considered the marine - lagoonal habitats interface, there are no openly accessible datasets pertaining to the particular structural component of the transitional waters benthoscapes of the Mediterranean Sea. Such datasets could prove valuable in the research of the structure and functioning of transitional waters benthoscapes. The present dataset is available as a supplementary file (Suppl. material 1) and can also be accessed at http://ipt.medobis.eu/resource?r=kalloni_saltworks_phd.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper describes an occurence dataset, also including numerical abundance and biomass data, pertaining to the macrobenthic molluscan assemblages from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition. The study system was the soft-substrate benthoscape of the area of the Kalloni solar saltworks (Lesvos Island, Greece). Specifically, the study area extended from the infralittoral zone of the inner Kalloni Gulf (marine habitat) to the bottoms of the first two evaporation ponds of the Kalloni solar saltworks (lagoonal habitat). Bottom sediment samples (3 replicates) were collected with a Van Veen grab sampler (0.1 m2) at four sampling sites, along a 1.5 km long line transect that spanned the marine - lagoonal environmental transition. A total of four surveys were carried out seasonally in 2004. A total of 39,345 molluscan individuals were sorted out of the sediment samples and were identified to 71 species, belonging to the Gastropoda (36), Bivalvia (34) and Scaphopoda (1) classes. Numerical abundance and wet biomass (with shells) data are included in the dataset.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The dataset described in the present paper partially fills a significant gap in the scientific literature: Because ecological research of coastal lagoons has seldom explicitly considered the marine - lagoonal habitats interface, there are no openly accessible datasets pertaining to the particular structural component of the transitional waters benthoscapes of the Mediterranean Sea. Such datasets could prove valuable in the research of the structure and functioning of transitional waters benthoscapes. The present dataset is available as a supplementary file (Suppl. material 1) and can also be accessed at http://ipt.medobis.eu/resource?r=kalloni_saltworks_phd. |
Koulouri, Panayota; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece: a preliminary checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e9288, 2016. @article{koulouri_mysida_2016, title = {Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece: a preliminary checklist}, author = {Panayota Koulouri and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/9288/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e9288}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e9288}, abstract = {The checklist of Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece was created within the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), which is one of the applications of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) resuming efforts to develop a complete checklist of species recorded and reported from Greek waters. The objectives of the present study were to update and cross-check taxonomically all records of Mysida and Lophogastrida species known to occur in Greek waters in order to search for inaccuracies and omissions. The up-to-date checklist of Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece comprises 49 species, classified to 25 genera.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The checklist of Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece was created within the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), which is one of the applications of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) resuming efforts to develop a complete checklist of species recorded and reported from Greek waters. The objectives of the present study were to update and cross-check taxonomically all records of Mysida and Lophogastrida species known to occur in Greek waters in order to search for inaccuracies and omissions. The up-to-date checklist of Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece comprises 49 species, classified to 25 genera. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni Sponge diversity gradients in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Journal Article Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 96 (2), pp. 407–416, 2016, ISSN: 14697769. @article{gerovasileiou_sponge_2016, title = {Sponge diversity gradients in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou}, doi = {10.1017/S0025315415000697}, issn = {14697769}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom}, volume = {96}, number = {2}, pages = {407--416}, abstract = {Although sponges constitute the dominant animal group in marine caves globally, few studies have investigated quantitatively their diversity patterns in this habitat. Regarding Mediterranean marine caves, data describing the structure and diversity gradients of sponge assemblages are available for the north-western basin, while information for the eastern Mediterranean is almost inexistent. In this study, the sponge assemblages in two Aegean marine caves (eastern Mediterranean Sea) with different topography were examined using a non-destructive method. In each cave, three quadrats (25 × 25 cm) were photographed at 5 m intervals, along three transects: one along the ceiling and two along the opposite walls. Per cent coverage for each sponge species was calculated using advanced image processing software. Our analyses revealed a rich sponge assemblage, which consisted of 50 species assigned to eight growth forms. Resemblance analysis for the surveyed caves revealed two major groups of samples corresponding to the shadowy outer and the darker internal cave sectors. However, differences in species composition as well as divergent spatial patterns of species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity and morphological diversity were found not only between the caves but also between different transects within each cave. Sponge morphological diversity presented significant positive correlation with species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity in both caves, suggesting that it could possibly be used as a surrogate measure for describing sponge diversity gradients in Mediterranean caves. Cave topography was found to have a significant effect on the observed diversity patterns and assemblage structure, highlighting the high level of individuality in these unique habitats.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Although sponges constitute the dominant animal group in marine caves globally, few studies have investigated quantitatively their diversity patterns in this habitat. Regarding Mediterranean marine caves, data describing the structure and diversity gradients of sponge assemblages are available for the north-western basin, while information for the eastern Mediterranean is almost inexistent. In this study, the sponge assemblages in two Aegean marine caves (eastern Mediterranean Sea) with different topography were examined using a non-destructive method. In each cave, three quadrats (25 × 25 cm) were photographed at 5 m intervals, along three transects: one along the ceiling and two along the opposite walls. Per cent coverage for each sponge species was calculated using advanced image processing software. Our analyses revealed a rich sponge assemblage, which consisted of 50 species assigned to eight growth forms. Resemblance analysis for the surveyed caves revealed two major groups of samples corresponding to the shadowy outer and the darker internal cave sectors. However, differences in species composition as well as divergent spatial patterns of species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity and morphological diversity were found not only between the caves but also between different transects within each cave. Sponge morphological diversity presented significant positive correlation with species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity in both caves, suggesting that it could possibly be used as a surrogate measure for describing sponge diversity gradients in Mediterranean caves. Cave topography was found to have a significant effect on the observed diversity patterns and assemblage structure, highlighting the high level of individuality in these unique habitats. |
Sanfilippo, Rossana; Rosso, Antonietta; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis Bryozoans And Serpuloideans In Submarine Caves Of The Eastern Mediterranean Inproceedings Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée, pp. 473, CIESM Publisher, Kiel, 2016. @inproceedings{sanfilippo_bryozoans_2016, title = {Bryozoans And Serpuloideans In Submarine Caves Of The Eastern Mediterranean}, author = {Rossana Sanfilippo and Antonietta Rosso and Vasilis Gerovasileiou}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, booktitle = {Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée}, pages = {473}, publisher = {CIESM Publisher}, address = {Kiel}, abstract = {Bryozoan and serpuloidean communities have been examined for the first time from two submarine caves of the Aegean Sea. Preliminary results point to a high diversity for bryozoans, represented by 72 species, and a relatively low diversity for serpuloideans, which were present with 18 species. Bryozoan assemblages in the two caves shared only half species and showed different patterns of species distribution and growth adaptations, in agreement with general information for submarine cave habitats. Serpuloidean species richness weakly increased inwards accompanied by replacement of some species. 1 1 2 1 2 Bryozoans and serpuloideans from submarine caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea are still unknown and this paper is a first contribution to their knowledge. Two submarine caves, i.e. Fara (11-18m) and Agios Vasilios (24-40m), located in Lesvos Island (Aegean Sea), have been examined for their bryozoans and serpuloideans. The former is a 32m long tunnel ending to a dark chamber connected through a fissure with a second cave. The latter is wider in its proximal part and narrows at about 15-20m from the entrance before its blind end [1]. A total of 30 square surfaces of 400cm (20x20cm) were scraped from the walls and ceilings, at progressive distance levels from the entrance, representing different assemblages and facies in the distinct light zones of the two caves [2], [3]. Bryozoans had considerable coverage. A total of 72 living species were identified with cheilostomes (57 spp.), largely prevailing over cyclostomes (14 spp.) and ctenostomes, represented by only one species. More than half of them (37 spp.) were found in both caves;32 other species were exclusively found in Agios Vasilios cave, which, exhibited the highest species richness (69 spp.). On the other hand, only 5 species were found exclusively in Fara cave, which hosted a total of 42 species. Diversity increased from the entrance to the inner zones of Fara cave, whereas the total number of species was quite stable along Agios Vasilios cave, notwithstanding changes in assemblage composition. Noteworthy, several species presented few specimens and in a small number of samples whereas only 20 species made up the bulk of the bryozoan assemblages, representing typical dwellers of cryptic habitats. Both flexible and rigid erect colonies were occasionally present whereas encrusting morphotypes largely prevailed with uni-to multilaminar and celleporiform hemispherical colonies. Spot-like species and runners were also observed. Serpuloideans presented low coverage and were represented by a total of 18 species (13 serpulids and 5 spirorbids). Most of them were present in both caves, but 4 species were exclusively found in Agios Vasilios cave. Semivermilia crenata was the commonest species. A weak increase in diversity was observed from the cave entrances inwards, coupled with a marked change in taxonomic composition. Nodular, fungiform and crest-like bioconstructions (up to 3-4cm in height and diameter) were observed, formed by the bryozoans Hippaliosina depressa, Rhynchozoon neapolitanum and Parasmittina rouvillei. Smaller nodular structures were often produced by Onychocella marioni, Hippomenella mucronelliformis, Hippopodina ambita, Therenia rosei and Anarthropora monodon. Tube aggregates of large-sized Protula specimens occurred, forming coiled donuts (up to 6cm in diameter) and plaits (ca. 8cm high and 4cm in diameter), hanging from the ceilings in Agios Vasilios and Fara cave, respectively. Although the observed patterns of bryozoan and serpuloidean species distribution and growth adaptations were in agreement with those recorded in other submarine caves[4 with references], the vast majority of the recorded taxa are new records for the cave fauna of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Further studies are expected to increase our knowledge on the regional diversity of these understudied sessile groups in the marine cave habitat.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Bryozoan and serpuloidean communities have been examined for the first time from two submarine caves of the Aegean Sea. Preliminary results point to a high diversity for bryozoans, represented by 72 species, and a relatively low diversity for serpuloideans, which were present with 18 species. Bryozoan assemblages in the two caves shared only half species and showed different patterns of species distribution and growth adaptations, in agreement with general information for submarine cave habitats. Serpuloidean species richness weakly increased inwards accompanied by replacement of some species. 1 1 2 1 2 Bryozoans and serpuloideans from submarine caves of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea are still unknown and this paper is a first contribution to their knowledge. Two submarine caves, i.e. Fara (11-18m) and Agios Vasilios (24-40m), located in Lesvos Island (Aegean Sea), have been examined for their bryozoans and serpuloideans. The former is a 32m long tunnel ending to a dark chamber connected through a fissure with a second cave. The latter is wider in its proximal part and narrows at about 15-20m from the entrance before its blind end [1]. A total of 30 square surfaces of 400cm (20x20cm) were scraped from the walls and ceilings, at progressive distance levels from the entrance, representing different assemblages and facies in the distinct light zones of the two caves [2], [3]. Bryozoans had considerable coverage. A total of 72 living species were identified with cheilostomes (57 spp.), largely prevailing over cyclostomes (14 spp.) and ctenostomes, represented by only one species. More than half of them (37 spp.) were found in both caves;32 other species were exclusively found in Agios Vasilios cave, which, exhibited the highest species richness (69 spp.). On the other hand, only 5 species were found exclusively in Fara cave, which hosted a total of 42 species. Diversity increased from the entrance to the inner zones of Fara cave, whereas the total number of species was quite stable along Agios Vasilios cave, notwithstanding changes in assemblage composition. Noteworthy, several species presented few specimens and in a small number of samples whereas only 20 species made up the bulk of the bryozoan assemblages, representing typical dwellers of cryptic habitats. Both flexible and rigid erect colonies were occasionally present whereas encrusting morphotypes largely prevailed with uni-to multilaminar and celleporiform hemispherical colonies. Spot-like species and runners were also observed. Serpuloideans presented low coverage and were represented by a total of 18 species (13 serpulids and 5 spirorbids). Most of them were present in both caves, but 4 species were exclusively found in Agios Vasilios cave. Semivermilia crenata was the commonest species. A weak increase in diversity was observed from the cave entrances inwards, coupled with a marked change in taxonomic composition. Nodular, fungiform and crest-like bioconstructions (up to 3-4cm in height and diameter) were observed, formed by the bryozoans Hippaliosina depressa, Rhynchozoon neapolitanum and Parasmittina rouvillei. Smaller nodular structures were often produced by Onychocella marioni, Hippomenella mucronelliformis, Hippopodina ambita, Therenia rosei and Anarthropora monodon. Tube aggregates of large-sized Protula specimens occurred, forming coiled donuts (up to 6cm in diameter) and plaits (ca. 8cm high and 4cm in diameter), hanging from the ceilings in Agios Vasilios and Fara cave, respectively. Although the observed patterns of bryozoan and serpuloidean species distribution and growth adaptations were in agreement with those recorded in other submarine caves[4 with references], the vast majority of the recorded taxa are new records for the cave fauna of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Further studies are expected to increase our knowledge on the regional diversity of these understudied sessile groups in the marine cave habitat. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Martínez, Alejandro; Álvarez, Fernando; Boxshall, Geoff; Humphreys, William F; Jaume, Damià; Becking, Leontine E; Muricy, Guilherme; van Hengstum, Peter J; Dekeyzer, Stefanie; Decock, Wim; Vanhoorne, Bart; Vandepitte, Leen; Bailly, Nicolas; Iliffe, Thomas M World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS): a new Thematic Species Database for marine and anchialine cave biodiversity Journal Article Research Ideas and Outcomes, 2 , pp. e10451, 2016, ISSN: 2367-7163. @article{gerovasileiou_world_2016, title = {World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS): a new Thematic Species Database for marine and anchialine cave biodiversity}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Alejandro Martínez and Fernando Álvarez and Geoff Boxshall and William F Humphreys and Damià Jaume and Leontine E Becking and Guilherme Muricy and Peter J van Hengstum and Stefanie Dekeyzer and Wim Decock and Bart Vanhoorne and Leen Vandepitte and Nicolas Bailly and Thomas M Iliffe}, url = {https://riojournal.com/articles.php?journal_name=rio&id=10451}, doi = {10.3897/rio.2.e10451}, issn = {2367-7163}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Research Ideas and Outcomes}, volume = {2}, pages = {e10451}, abstract = {Scientific exploration of marine cave environments and anchialine ecosystems over recent decades has led to outstanding discoveries of novel taxa, increasing our knowledge of biodiversity. However, biological research on underwater caves has taken place only in a few areas of the world and relevant information remains fragmented in isolated publications and databases. This fragmentation makes assessing the conservation status of marine cave species especially problematic, and this issue should be addressed urgently given the stresses resulting from planned and rampant development in the coastal zone worldwide. The goal of the World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS) initiative is to create a comprehensive taxonomic and ecological database of known species from marine caves and anchialine systems worldwide and to present this as a Thematic Species Database (TSD) of the World Register of marine Species (WoRMS). WoRCS will incorporate ecological data (e.g., type of environment, salinity regimes, and cave zone) as well as geographical information on the distribution of species in cave and anchialine environments. Biodiversity data will be progressively assembled from individual database sources at regional, national or local levels, as well as from literature sources (estimate: textbackslashtextgreater20,000 existing records of cave-dwelling species scattered in several databases). Information will be organized in the WoRCS database following a standard glossary based on existing terminology. Cave-related information will be managed by the WoRCS thematic editors with all data dynamically linked to WoRMS and its team of taxonomic editors. In order to mobilize data into global biogeographic databases, a Gazetteer of the Marine and Anchialine Caves of the World will be established. The presence records of species could be eventually georeferenced for submission to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) and constitute an important dataset for biogeographical and climate change studies on marine caves and anchialine systems.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Scientific exploration of marine cave environments and anchialine ecosystems over recent decades has led to outstanding discoveries of novel taxa, increasing our knowledge of biodiversity. However, biological research on underwater caves has taken place only in a few areas of the world and relevant information remains fragmented in isolated publications and databases. This fragmentation makes assessing the conservation status of marine cave species especially problematic, and this issue should be addressed urgently given the stresses resulting from planned and rampant development in the coastal zone worldwide. The goal of the World Register of marine Cave Species (WoRCS) initiative is to create a comprehensive taxonomic and ecological database of known species from marine caves and anchialine systems worldwide and to present this as a Thematic Species Database (TSD) of the World Register of marine Species (WoRMS). WoRCS will incorporate ecological data (e.g., type of environment, salinity regimes, and cave zone) as well as geographical information on the distribution of species in cave and anchialine environments. Biodiversity data will be progressively assembled from individual database sources at regional, national or local levels, as well as from literature sources (estimate: textbackslashtextgreater20,000 existing records of cave-dwelling species scattered in several databases). Information will be organized in the WoRCS database following a standard glossary based on existing terminology. Cave-related information will be managed by the WoRCS thematic editors with all data dynamically linked to WoRMS and its team of taxonomic editors. In order to mobilize data into global biogeographic databases, a Gazetteer of the Marine and Anchialine Caves of the World will be established. The presence records of species could be eventually georeferenced for submission to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) and constitute an important dataset for biogeographical and climate change studies on marine caves and anchialine systems. |
Voultsiadou, Eleni; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Bailly, Nicolas Porifera of Greece: an updated checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e7984, 2016. @article{voultsiadou_porifera_2016, title = {Porifera of Greece: an updated checklist}, author = {Eleni Voultsiadou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Nicolas Bailly}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/7984/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e7984}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e7984}, abstract = {The checklist of Porifera of Greece was created in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), an initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) that has resumed efforts to compile a complete checklist of species recorded from Greece. An updated checklist of Porifera was created on the basis of a list of the Aegean Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha published one decade ago. All records of species known to occur in Greek waters were taxonomically validated and cross-checked for possible inaccuracies and omissions. Then, all recent publications were reviewed and the species recorded from 2006 to date were added to the list.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The updated checklist of Porifera of Greece comprises 215 species, classified to 111 genera, 65 families, 24 orders, and 4 classes. In total, 34 new additions were made to the previous species list (8 Calcarea, 17 Demospongiae, 1 Hexactinellida, and 6 Homoscleromorpha) with Calcarea being listed for the first time from the area. The demosponge orders Poecilosclerida, Dictyoceratida, Tetractinellida, Haplosclerida, and Suberitida have the highest number of species covering 62% of the known Greek sponge species richness. It is worth mentioning that 8 species have been first described from Greek waters, 7 of which are considered endemic to this area. Our bibliographic overview also revealed knowledge gaps with regard to specific habitats typically rich in sponge diversity, and marine sectors of Greece.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The checklist of Porifera of Greece was created in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), an initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) that has resumed efforts to compile a complete checklist of species recorded from Greece. An updated checklist of Porifera was created on the basis of a list of the Aegean Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha published one decade ago. All records of species known to occur in Greek waters were taxonomically validated and cross-checked for possible inaccuracies and omissions. Then, all recent publications were reviewed and the species recorded from 2006 to date were added to the list.$textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The updated checklist of Porifera of Greece comprises 215 species, classified to 111 genera, 65 families, 24 orders, and 4 classes. In total, 34 new additions were made to the previous species list (8 Calcarea, 17 Demospongiae, 1 Hexactinellida, and 6 Homoscleromorpha) with Calcarea being listed for the first time from the area. The demosponge orders Poecilosclerida, Dictyoceratida, Tetractinellida, Haplosclerida, and Suberitida have the highest number of species covering 62% of the known Greek sponge species richness. It is worth mentioning that 8 species have been first described from Greek waters, 7 of which are considered endemic to this area. Our bibliographic overview also revealed knowledge gaps with regard to specific habitats typically rich in sponge diversity, and marine sectors of Greece. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Rosso, Antonietta Marine Bryozoa of Greece: an annotated checklist Journal Article Biodiversity Data Journal, 4 , pp. e10672, 2016, ISSN: 1314-2828. @article{gerovasileiou_marine_2016, title = {Marine Bryozoa of Greece: an annotated checklist}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Antonietta Rosso}, url = {https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/10672/}, doi = {10.3897/BDJ.4.e10672}, issn = {1314-2828}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Biodiversity Data Journal}, volume = {4}, pages = {e10672}, abstract = {Until today, a complete checklist of Bryozoa of the Greek seas had never been published and species records were scattered in several taxonomic and ecological studies. The aim of this paper is to produce a first checklist of marine bryozoan species of Greece, in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS) initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI), by reviewing the existing literature and following the recent trends in the taxonomy of this group. $textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The marine bryozoan fauna of Greece comprises 237 species, classified in 127 genera, 66 families, 3 orders, and 2 classes. The vast majority belongs to the class Gymnolaemata (177 Cheilostomatida and 21 Ctenostomatida), while the remaining 39 species are Stenolaemata (all Cyclostomatida). Among these species, 12 are considered endemic to the eastern Mediterranean, while another 12 species are non-indigenous.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Until today, a complete checklist of Bryozoa of the Greek seas had never been published and species records were scattered in several taxonomic and ecological studies. The aim of this paper is to produce a first checklist of marine bryozoan species of Greece, in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS) initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI), by reviewing the existing literature and following the recent trends in the taxonomy of this group. $textbackslashbackslash$n$textbackslashbackslash$n The marine bryozoan fauna of Greece comprises 237 species, classified in 127 genera, 66 families, 3 orders, and 2 classes. The vast majority belongs to the class Gymnolaemata (177 Cheilostomatida and 21 Ctenostomatida), while the remaining 39 species are Stenolaemata (all Cyclostomatida). Among these species, 12 are considered endemic to the eastern Mediterranean, while another 12 species are non-indigenous. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Issaris, Yiannis; Zenetos, Argyro Alien biodiversity in Mediterranean marine caves Journal Article Marine Ecology, 37 , pp. 239–256, 2016, ISSN: 14390485, (ISBN: 1439-0485). @article{gerovasileiou_alien_2016, title = {Alien biodiversity in Mediterranean marine caves}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou and Yiannis Issaris and Argyro Zenetos}, doi = {10.1111/maec.12268}, issn = {14390485}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, journal = {Marine Ecology}, volume = {37}, pages = {239--256}, abstract = {The number of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea is increasing rapidly, but few attempts have been made to evaluate impacts on specific habitat types. The present study investigated alien biodiversity in Mediterranean marine caves, both by contributing new records of Eastern Mediterranean cave aliens, and by reviewing the scattered existing literature; the main goals were to highlight potential impacts and investigate the importance of cave environments for the expansion of alien species. Seven new alien species were found in marine caves of the Aegean and Ionian seas, raising the total number of aliens reported from Mediterranean marine caves to 56 species, classified as molluscs, cnidarians, bryozoans, polychaetes, crustaceans, macroalgae, fishes and tunicates. Most cave aliens (66%) were recorded from the Southeastern Levantine coasts, specifically from Lebanese caves. Shipping and Lessepsian migration have been suggested as the main pathways of alien introduction into caves of the Mediterranean Sea. The comparison of alien cave biodiversity with the updated Mediterranean alien inventory (32 species added to the latest inventory) showed similar patterns and trends for species richness, biogeographical origin and major introduction pathways, corroborating previous findings on the high local representativeness of Mediterranean cave biodiversity. Alien species seem to have invaded mostly the entrance and semi-dark zones of shallow and/or semi-submerged caves and tunnels, whereas only a few have reached the dark inner sectors or caves of the anchialine type; thus, the unfavourable cave environment seems to be naturally protected from impacts related to opportunistic invasive species, at least to a certain point. Currently there is no research confirming any direct impacts of alien biota on the native cavernicolous one. However, some issues have emerged, implying potential threats that need to be further explored: (i) the presence of a considerable proportion of aliens in most studied marine caves of the Southeastern Mediterranean basin, (ii) the recently observed population explosion of alien cave-dwelling fishes in the same area, (iii) several indications that alien diversity in marine caves is much higher than we know today. Quantitative surveys and monitoring schemes are needed in order to evaluate potential effects of alien diversity on cave community structure and the role of marine caves as stepping stones for its expansion in the Mediterranean.}, note = {ISBN: 1439-0485}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The number of alien species in the Mediterranean Sea is increasing rapidly, but few attempts have been made to evaluate impacts on specific habitat types. The present study investigated alien biodiversity in Mediterranean marine caves, both by contributing new records of Eastern Mediterranean cave aliens, and by reviewing the scattered existing literature; the main goals were to highlight potential impacts and investigate the importance of cave environments for the expansion of alien species. Seven new alien species were found in marine caves of the Aegean and Ionian seas, raising the total number of aliens reported from Mediterranean marine caves to 56 species, classified as molluscs, cnidarians, bryozoans, polychaetes, crustaceans, macroalgae, fishes and tunicates. Most cave aliens (66%) were recorded from the Southeastern Levantine coasts, specifically from Lebanese caves. Shipping and Lessepsian migration have been suggested as the main pathways of alien introduction into caves of the Mediterranean Sea. The comparison of alien cave biodiversity with the updated Mediterranean alien inventory (32 species added to the latest inventory) showed similar patterns and trends for species richness, biogeographical origin and major introduction pathways, corroborating previous findings on the high local representativeness of Mediterranean cave biodiversity. Alien species seem to have invaded mostly the entrance and semi-dark zones of shallow and/or semi-submerged caves and tunnels, whereas only a few have reached the dark inner sectors or caves of the anchialine type; thus, the unfavourable cave environment seems to be naturally protected from impacts related to opportunistic invasive species, at least to a certain point. Currently there is no research confirming any direct impacts of alien biota on the native cavernicolous one. However, some issues have emerged, implying potential threats that need to be further explored: (i) the presence of a considerable proportion of aliens in most studied marine caves of the Southeastern Mediterranean basin, (ii) the recently observed population explosion of alien cave-dwelling fishes in the same area, (iii) several indications that alien diversity in marine caves is much higher than we know today. Quantitative surveys and monitoring schemes are needed in order to evaluate potential effects of alien diversity on cave community structure and the role of marine caves as stepping stones for its expansion in the Mediterranean. |
Bazairi, H; Sghaier, YR; Benhoussa, A; Boutahar, L; El, Kamcha; Selfati, M; Gerovasileiou, V; Baeza, J; Castañer, V; Martin, J; Valriberas, E; González, R; Maestre, M; Espinosa, F; Ouerghi, A Maroc : Site de Jbel Moussa Cartographie des habitats marins clés de Méditerranée et initiation de réseaux de surveillance Technical Report CAR/ASP Tunis, 2016. @techreport{bazairi_maroc_2016, title = {Maroc : Site de Jbel Moussa Cartographie des habitats marins clés de Méditerranée et initiation de réseaux de surveillance}, author = {H Bazairi and YR Sghaier and A Benhoussa and L Boutahar and Kamcha El and M Selfati and V Gerovasileiou and J Baeza and V Castañer and J Martin and E Valriberas and R González and M Maestre and F Espinosa and A Ouerghi}, url = {http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/doc_mkh/morocco/jbel_moussa_cartographie_des_habitats_marins_cles.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-01-01}, pages = {92}, address = {Tunis}, institution = {CAR/ASP}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } |
2015 |
Gerovasileiou, V; Chintiroglou, C; Vafidis, D; Koutsoubas, D; Sini, M; Dailianis, T; Issaris, Y; Akritopoulou, E; Dimarchopoulou, D; Voutsiadou, E Census of biodiversity in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Sea Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 16 (1), pp. 245, 2015, ISSN: 1791-6763, 1108-393X. @article{gerovasileiou_census_2015, title = {Census of biodiversity in marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean Sea}, author = {V Gerovasileiou and C Chintiroglou and D Vafidis and D Koutsoubas and M Sini and T Dailianis and Y Issaris and E Akritopoulou and D Dimarchopoulou and E Voutsiadou}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/12866}, doi = {10.12681/mms.1069}, issn = {1791-6763, 1108-393X}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-03-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {16}, number = {1}, pages = {245}, abstract = {Scientific information on the biodiversity of marine caves in the eastern Mediterranean is limited, especially when considering the extensively studied caves of the north-western and central Mediterranean. Aiming to enhance current knowledge regarding cave communities, this study represents a first assessment of the marine cave biota of the eastern Mediterranean, as this has been defined by the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Information retrieved from an extensive overview of relevant scientific documents was combined with original data recorded from 23 marine caves of the north-eastern Mediterranean. Our results report a total of 520 taxa recorded in eastern Mediterranean marine caves to date, the majority of which are sponges, polychaetes, rhodophytes, bivalves, fishes, and gastropods. These include several protected, endemic, and alien species. However, not all taxonomic groups have been equally studied among different areas and future studies are expected to raise the number of endemic and alien species. The overall observed trend is that the reported species number is generally related to sampling effort and scientific expertise. The most well-studied marine cave communities of the eastern Mediterranean are those of the Aegean Sea (especially its northern sector), which presented the highest number of species, followed by those of the Levantine. Furthermore, our research in Aegean caves revealed numerous new records for the marine cave fauna of the eastern basin, while several species are reported for the first time in the marine cave habitat. The critical need for further scientific research, monitoring, and conservation of this unique ecosystem was highlighted by (i) the presence of certain species endemic to the eastern Mediterranean coupled with a high proportion of alien species, especially in the Levantine, and (ii) the marine cave habitat availability in isolated insular areas of the eastern Mediterranean.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Scientific information on the biodiversity of marine caves in the eastern Mediterranean is limited, especially when considering the extensively studied caves of the north-western and central Mediterranean. Aiming to enhance current knowledge regarding cave communities, this study represents a first assessment of the marine cave biota of the eastern Mediterranean, as this has been defined by the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Information retrieved from an extensive overview of relevant scientific documents was combined with original data recorded from 23 marine caves of the north-eastern Mediterranean. Our results report a total of 520 taxa recorded in eastern Mediterranean marine caves to date, the majority of which are sponges, polychaetes, rhodophytes, bivalves, fishes, and gastropods. These include several protected, endemic, and alien species. However, not all taxonomic groups have been equally studied among different areas and future studies are expected to raise the number of endemic and alien species. The overall observed trend is that the reported species number is generally related to sampling effort and scientific expertise. The most well-studied marine cave communities of the eastern Mediterranean are those of the Aegean Sea (especially its northern sector), which presented the highest number of species, followed by those of the Levantine. Furthermore, our research in Aegean caves revealed numerous new records for the marine cave fauna of the eastern basin, while several species are reported for the first time in the marine cave habitat. The critical need for further scientific research, monitoring, and conservation of this unique ecosystem was highlighted by (i) the presence of certain species endemic to the eastern Mediterranean coupled with a high proportion of alien species, especially in the Levantine, and (ii) the marine cave habitat availability in isolated insular areas of the eastern Mediterranean. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Ganias, Konstantinos; Dailianis, Thanos; Voultsiadou, Eleni Occurrence of some rarely reported fish species in eastern Mediterranean marine caves Journal Article Cahiers De Biologie Marine, 56 (4), pp. 381–387, 2015. @article{gerovasileiou_occurrence_2015, title = {Occurrence of some rarely reported fish species in eastern Mediterranean marine caves}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Konstantinos Ganias and Thanos Dailianis and Eleni Voultsiadou}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-01-01}, journal = {Cahiers De Biologie Marine}, volume = {56}, number = {4}, pages = {381--387}, abstract = {This study reports the occurrence of three rarely reported fish species of conservation interest, in marine caves of the Aegean Sea, updating the limited knowledge on their distribution and ecology. One of them, Grammonus ater, observed in the dark sector of a marine cave in the island of Crete (southern Aegean), is reported for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean. The other two are gobiid species found in a marine cave of Lesvos Island (northern Aegean): Corcyrogobius liechtensteini in cavities of the sponge Agelas oroides at the entrance of the cave and Thorogobius ephippiatus on the muddy bottom of the semidark and dark cave sectors.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study reports the occurrence of three rarely reported fish species of conservation interest, in marine caves of the Aegean Sea, updating the limited knowledge on their distribution and ecology. One of them, Grammonus ater, observed in the dark sector of a marine cave in the island of Crete (southern Aegean), is reported for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean. The other two are gobiid species found in a marine cave of Lesvos Island (northern Aegean): Corcyrogobius liechtensteini in cavities of the sponge Agelas oroides at the entrance of the cave and Thorogobius ephippiatus on the muddy bottom of the semidark and dark cave sectors. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos; Dimitriadis, Charalampos; Sourbès, Laurent; Koutsoubas, Drosos; Poursanidis, Dimitris Underwater trails in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos Book Management Body of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, 2015, ISBN: 978-618-82532-0-9. @book{gerovasileiou_underwater_2015, title = {Underwater trails in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Thanos Dailianis and Charalampos Dimitriadis and Laurent Sourbès and Drosos Koutsoubas and Dimitris Poursanidis}, url = {www.nmp-zak.org}, isbn = {978-618-82532-0-9}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-01-01}, publisher = {Management Body of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {book} } |
Tsiamis, K; Aydogan, Ö; Bailly, N; Balistreri, P; Bariche, M; Carden-Noad, S; Corsini-Foka, M; Crocetta, F; Davidov, B; Dimitriadis, C; Dragičević, B; Drakulić, M; Dulčić, J; Escánez, A; Fernández-Álvarez, FA; Gerakaris, V; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Hoffman, R; Izquierdo-Gómez, D; Izquierdo-Muñoz, A; Kondylatos, G; Latsoudis, P; Lipej, L; Madiraca, F; Mavrič, B; Parasporo, M; Sourbès, L; Taşkin, E; Tűrker, A; Yapici, S New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July 2015) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 16 , pp. 472–488, 2015. @article{tsiamis_new_2015, title = {New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (July 2015)}, author = {K Tsiamis and Ö Aydogan and N Bailly and P Balistreri and M Bariche and S Carden-Noad and M Corsini-Foka and F Crocetta and B Davidov and C Dimitriadis and B Dragičević and M Drakulić and J Dulčić and A Escánez and FA Fernández-Álvarez and V Gerakaris and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and R Hoffman and D Izquierdo-Gómez and A Izquierdo-Muñoz and G Kondylatos and P Latsoudis and L Lipej and F Madiraca and B Mavrič and M Parasporo and L Sourbès and E Taşkin and A Tűrker and S Yapici}, url = {https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/hcmr-med-mar-sc/article/view/13209}, doi = {10.12681/mms.1440}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {16}, pages = {472--488}, abstract = {The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records' of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of native and alien species respectively. The new records of native species include: the neon flying squid Ommastrephes bartramii in Capri Island, Thyrrenian Sea; the bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus in the Adriatic Sea; a juvenile basking shark Cetorhinus maximus caught off Piran (northern Adriatic); the deep-sea Messina rockfish Scorpaenodes arenai in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (East Ionian Sea, Greece); and the oceanic puffer Lagocephalus lagocephalus in the Adriatic Sea. The new records of alien species include: the red algae Antithamnionella elegans and Palisada maris-rubri, found for the first time in Israel and Greece respectively; the green alga Codium parvulum reported from Turkey (Aegean Sea); the first record of the alien sea urchin Diadema setosum in Greece; the nudibranch Goniobranchus annulatus reported from South-Eastern Aegean Sea (Greece); the opisthobranch Melibe viridis found in Lebanon; the new records of the blue spotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii in the Alicante coast (Eastern Spain); the alien fish Siganus luridus and Siganus rivulatus in Lipsi Island, Dodecanese (Greece); the first record of Stephanolepis diaspros from the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area (western Sicily); a northward expansion of the alien pufferfish Torquigener flavimaculosus along the southeastern Aegean coasts of Turkey; and data on the occurrence of the Lessepsian immigrants Alepes djedaba, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Fistularia commersonii in Zakynthos Island (SE Ionian Sea, Greece).}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records' of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of native and alien species respectively. The new records of native species include: the neon flying squid Ommastrephes bartramii in Capri Island, Thyrrenian Sea; the bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus in the Adriatic Sea; a juvenile basking shark Cetorhinus maximus caught off Piran (northern Adriatic); the deep-sea Messina rockfish Scorpaenodes arenai in the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (East Ionian Sea, Greece); and the oceanic puffer Lagocephalus lagocephalus in the Adriatic Sea. The new records of alien species include: the red algae Antithamnionella elegans and Palisada maris-rubri, found for the first time in Israel and Greece respectively; the green alga Codium parvulum reported from Turkey (Aegean Sea); the first record of the alien sea urchin Diadema setosum in Greece; the nudibranch Goniobranchus annulatus reported from South-Eastern Aegean Sea (Greece); the opisthobranch Melibe viridis found in Lebanon; the new records of the blue spotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii in the Alicante coast (Eastern Spain); the alien fish Siganus luridus and Siganus rivulatus in Lipsi Island, Dodecanese (Greece); the first record of Stephanolepis diaspros from the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area (western Sicily); a northward expansion of the alien pufferfish Torquigener flavimaculosus along the southeastern Aegean coasts of Turkey; and data on the occurrence of the Lessepsian immigrants Alepes djedaba, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Fistularia commersonii in Zakynthos Island (SE Ionian Sea, Greece). |
Evagelopoulos, A; Poursanidis, D; Papazisi, E; Gerovasileiou, V; Katsiaras, N; Koutsoubas, D Records of alien marine species of Indo-Pacific origin at Sigri Bay (Lesvos Island, north-eastern Aegean Sea) Journal Article Marine Biodiversity Records, 8 , pp. e35, 2015, ISSN: 17552672, (ISBN: 1755267215). @article{evagelopoulos_records_2015, title = {Records of alien marine species of Indo-Pacific origin at Sigri Bay (Lesvos Island, north-eastern Aegean Sea)}, author = {A Evagelopoulos and D Poursanidis and E Papazisi and V Gerovasileiou and N Katsiaras and D Koutsoubas}, doi = {10.1017/S1755267215000123}, issn = {17552672}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-01-01}, journal = {Marine Biodiversity Records}, volume = {8}, pages = {e35}, abstract = {? 2015 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.Ten alien species were recorded in a first-time survey of the benthic biodiversity of the upper sublittoral at Sigri Bay (Lesvos Island, north-eastern Aegean Sea). The record of the mollusc Syrnola fasciata is the first in Hellenic territorial waters. The records of the brown alga Stypopodium schimperi, the bivalve Septifer cumingii, the gastropods Syrnola fasciata and Smaragdia souverbiana and the bony fish Siganus luridus constitute evidence for a further northwards extension of their geographic ranges in the Aegean Sea. The record of Cerithium scabridum is the first in Lesvos Island and partially fills the gap in the distribution of the species in the eastern Aegean Sea. We also recorded the green alga Caulerpa cylindracea, the angiosperm Halophila stipulacea and the bivalve Pinctada imbricata radiata, which are widely distributed in the eastern Mediterranean. The polychaete Marphysa adenensis, which was also found at Sigri Bay, has recently been reported for the first time from the Mediterranean as a cryptogenic species.}, note = {ISBN: 1755267215}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } ? 2015 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.Ten alien species were recorded in a first-time survey of the benthic biodiversity of the upper sublittoral at Sigri Bay (Lesvos Island, north-eastern Aegean Sea). The record of the mollusc Syrnola fasciata is the first in Hellenic territorial waters. The records of the brown alga Stypopodium schimperi, the bivalve Septifer cumingii, the gastropods Syrnola fasciata and Smaragdia souverbiana and the bony fish Siganus luridus constitute evidence for a further northwards extension of their geographic ranges in the Aegean Sea. The record of Cerithium scabridum is the first in Lesvos Island and partially fills the gap in the distribution of the species in the eastern Aegean Sea. We also recorded the green alga Caulerpa cylindracea, the angiosperm Halophila stipulacea and the bivalve Pinctada imbricata radiata, which are widely distributed in the eastern Mediterranean. The polychaete Marphysa adenensis, which was also found at Sigri Bay, has recently been reported for the first time from the Mediterranean as a cryptogenic species. |
Pergent, G; Aguilar, R; Ballesteros, E; Bazairi, H; Bianchi, CN; Bitar, G; Borg, J; Chevaldonné, P; Daniel, B; Gerovasileiou, V; Harmelin, JG; Mastrototaro, F; Ouerghi, A; Perez, T; Pergent-Martini, C; Sartoretto, S; Schembri, P; Tilot, V; Tunesi, L; Vacelet, J Action Plan for the conservation of habitats and species associated with seamounts, underwater caves and canyons, aphotic hard beds and chemo-synthetic phenomena in the Mediterranean Sea (Dark Habitats Action Plan) Technical Report UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA Tunis, 2015. @techreport{pergent_action_2015, title = {Action Plan for the conservation of habitats and species associated with seamounts, underwater caves and canyons, aphotic hard beds and chemo-synthetic phenomena in the Mediterranean Sea (Dark Habitats Action Plan)}, author = {G Pergent and R Aguilar and E Ballesteros and H Bazairi and CN Bianchi and G Bitar and J Borg and P Chevaldonné and B Daniel and V Gerovasileiou and JG Harmelin and F Mastrototaro and A Ouerghi and T Perez and C Pergent-Martini and S Sartoretto and P Schembri and V Tilot and L Tunesi and J Vacelet}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-01-01}, pages = {17}, address = {Tunis}, institution = {UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {techreport} } |
2014 |
Katsanevakis, S; Acar, ; Ammar, I; Balci, B A; Bekas, P; Belmonte, M; Chintiroglou, C C; Consoli, P; Dimiza, M; Fryganiotis, K; Gerovasileiou, V; Gnisci, V; Gülşahin, N; Hoffman, R; Issaris, Y; Izquierdo-Gomez, D; Izquierdo-Muñoz, A; Kavadas, S; Koehler, L; Konstantinidis, E; Mazza, G; Nowell, G; Önal, U; Özen, M R; Pafilis, P; Pastore, M; Perdikaris, C; Poursanidis, D; Prato, E; Russo, F; Sicuro, B; Tarkan, A N; Thessalou-Legaki, M; Tiralongo, F; Triantaphyllou, M; Tsiamis, K; Tunçer, S; Turan, C; Türker, A; Yapici, S New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (October, 2014) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 15 (3), pp. 667–687, 2014, ISSN: 17916763, (ISBN: 1108-393X). @article{katsanevakis_new_2014, title = {New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (October, 2014)}, author = {S Katsanevakis and Acar and I Ammar and B A Balci and P Bekas and M Belmonte and C C Chintiroglou and P Consoli and M Dimiza and K Fryganiotis and V Gerovasileiou and V Gnisci and N Gülşahin and R Hoffman and Y Issaris and D Izquierdo-Gomez and A Izquierdo-Muñoz and S Kavadas and L Koehler and E Konstantinidis and G Mazza and G Nowell and U Önal and M R Özen and P Pafilis and M Pastore and C Perdikaris and D Poursanidis and E Prato and F Russo and B Sicuro and A N Tarkan and M Thessalou-Legaki and F Tiralongo and M Triantaphyllou and K Tsiamis and S Tunçer and C Turan and A Türker and S Yapici}, doi = {10.12681/mms.1123}, issn = {17916763}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {667--687}, abstract = {The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records' of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of alien and native species respectively. The new records of alien species include: the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis (Crete and Lakonicos Gulf) (Greece); the red alga Grateloupia turuturu (along the Israeli Mediterranean shore); the mantis shrimp Clorida albolitura (Gulf of Antalya, Turkey); the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, Ionian Sea); the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Chios Island, Greece); the isopod Paracerceis sculpta (northern Aegean Sea, Greece); the sea urchin Diadema setosum (Gökova Bay, Turkey); the molluscs Smaragdia souverbiana, Murex forskoehlii, Fusinus verrucosus, Circenita callipyga, and Aplysia dactylomela (Syria); the cephalaspidean mollusc Haminoea cyanomarginata (Baia di Puolo, Massa Lubrense, Campania, southern Italy); the topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Civitavecchia, Tyrrhenian Sea); the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatine (Plemmirio marine reserve, Sicily); the silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Saros Bay, Turkey; and Ibiza channel, Spain); the Indo-Pacific ascidian Herdmania momusin Kastelorizo Island (Greece); and the foraminiferal Clavulina multicam erata (Saronikos Gulf, Greece). The record of L. sceleratus in Spain consists the deepest (350-400m depth) record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. The new records of native species include: first record of the ctenophore Cestum veneris in Turkish marine waters; the presence of Holothuria tubulosa and Holothuria polii in the Bay of Igoumenitsa (Greece); the first recorded sighting of the bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus in Maltese waters; and a new record of the fish Lobotes surinamensis from Maliakos Gulf.}, note = {ISBN: 1108-393X}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records' of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of alien and native species respectively. The new records of alien species include: the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis (Crete and Lakonicos Gulf) (Greece); the red alga Grateloupia turuturu (along the Israeli Mediterranean shore); the mantis shrimp Clorida albolitura (Gulf of Antalya, Turkey); the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, Ionian Sea); the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Chios Island, Greece); the isopod Paracerceis sculpta (northern Aegean Sea, Greece); the sea urchin Diadema setosum (Gökova Bay, Turkey); the molluscs Smaragdia souverbiana, Murex forskoehlii, Fusinus verrucosus, Circenita callipyga, and Aplysia dactylomela (Syria); the cephalaspidean mollusc Haminoea cyanomarginata (Baia di Puolo, Massa Lubrense, Campania, southern Italy); the topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Civitavecchia, Tyrrhenian Sea); the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatine (Plemmirio marine reserve, Sicily); the silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Saros Bay, Turkey; and Ibiza channel, Spain); the Indo-Pacific ascidian Herdmania momusin Kastelorizo Island (Greece); and the foraminiferal Clavulina multicam erata (Saronikos Gulf, Greece). The record of L. sceleratus in Spain consists the deepest (350-400m depth) record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. The new records of native species include: first record of the ctenophore Cestum veneris in Turkish marine waters; the presence of Holothuria tubulosa and Holothuria polii in the Bay of Igoumenitsa (Greece); the first recorded sighting of the bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus in Maltese waters; and a new record of the fish Lobotes surinamensis from Maliakos Gulf. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Koutsoubas, ; Drosos, ; Voultsiadou, Eleni Spatial Heterogeneity Of Benthic Communities In A Marine Cave Off Lesvos Island (Aegean Sea) Inproceedings Proceedings of 1st Mediterranean Symposium on the conservation of Dark Habitats, pp. 69–70, UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA, Tunis, 2014. @inproceedings{gerovasileiou_spatial_2014, title = {Spatial Heterogeneity Of Benthic Communities In A Marine Cave Off Lesvos Island (Aegean Sea)}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Koutsoubas and Drosos and Eleni Voultsiadou}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of 1st Mediterranean Symposium on the conservation of Dark Habitats}, pages = {69--70}, publisher = {UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA}, address = {Tunis}, abstract = {Spatial heterogeneity of benthic communities was surveyed in a marine cave off Lesvos Island (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean). Quadrats were photographed along 3 transects: one along the cave ceiling and two along the opposing vertical walls. Analyses revealed a rich fauna of 64 taxa belonging to 9 taxonomic groups. Sponges were the dominant group in terms of species richness, followed by bryozoans and cnidarians. Species richness and biotic coverage decreased towards the interior. Three distinct assemblages were identified: the coralligenous entrance where encrusting rhodophytes, sponges, and anthozoans prevailed, the middle semi-dark zone dominated by sponges, and the dark interior dominated by serpulids. Topographic features of the cave had a significant effect on the structuring of the community, highlighting the role of cave topography in the observed patterns.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Spatial heterogeneity of benthic communities was surveyed in a marine cave off Lesvos Island (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean). Quadrats were photographed along 3 transects: one along the cave ceiling and two along the opposing vertical walls. Analyses revealed a rich fauna of 64 taxa belonging to 9 taxonomic groups. Sponges were the dominant group in terms of species richness, followed by bryozoans and cnidarians. Species richness and biotic coverage decreased towards the interior. Three distinct assemblages were identified: the coralligenous entrance where encrusting rhodophytes, sponges, and anthozoans prevailed, the middle semi-dark zone dominated by sponges, and the dark interior dominated by serpulids. Topographic features of the cave had a significant effect on the structuring of the community, highlighting the role of cave topography in the observed patterns. |
Kapiris, K; Apostolidis, C; Baldacconi, R; Başusta, N; Bilecenoglu, M; Bitar, G; Bobori, D C; Öboyaci, Y; Dimitriadis, C; Djurović, M; Dulčić, J; Durucan, F; Gerovasileiou, V; Gökoǧlu, M; Koutsoubas, D; Lefkaditou, E; Lipej, L; Marković, O; Mavrič, B; Özvarol, Y; Pesic, V; Petriki, O; Siapatis, A; Sini, M; Tibullo, D; Tiralongo, F New Mediterranean Marine biodiversity records (April, 2014) Journal Article Mediterranean Marine Science, 15 (1), pp. 198–212, 2014, ISSN: 17916763. @article{kapiris_new_2014, title = {New Mediterranean Marine biodiversity records (April, 2014)}, author = {K Kapiris and C Apostolidis and R Baldacconi and N Başusta and M Bilecenoglu and G Bitar and D C Bobori and Y Öboyaci and C Dimitriadis and M Djurović and J Dulčić and F Durucan and V Gerovasileiou and M Gökoǧlu and D Koutsoubas and E Lefkaditou and L Lipej and O Marković and B Mavrič and Y Özvarol and V Pesic and O Petriki and A Siapatis and M Sini and D Tibullo and F Tiralongo}, doi = {10.12681/mms.737}, issn = {17916763}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-01-01}, journal = {Mediterranean Marine Science}, volume = {15}, number = {1}, pages = {198--212}, abstract = {According to reports, the following 16 species have extended their distribution to other Mediterranean areas or have made a new appearance in other regions. The first category includes the following organisms: The rare and common Indo-Pacific seaweed Codium arabicum (Lebanese coasts), the acari Thalassarachna affinis (Marmara Sea), and the non-indigenous nudibranch Flabellina rubrolineata , which has also been found in many other areas of the Aegean Sea. In addition, the rare sea slug Thecacera pennigera (Piccolo of Taranto), the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina (National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Ionian Sea), the carangid Seriola fasciata (Gulf of Antalya), Lagocephalus sceleratus (SE. Ionian Sea), the reticulated leatherjacket Stephanolepis diaspro s (Slovenia, N. Adriatic Sea), the marbled stingray, Dasyatis marmorata (NE Levantine), the starry smooth-hound Mustelus asterias (Iskenderun Bay, NE Mediterranean), the cephalopod Ommastrephes bartramii (Ionian Sea) have also been reported. The Atlantic crab Dyspanopeus sayi has expanded to many Italian areas and the blue crab Callinectes sapidus to a lake in N. Greece and in the S. Adriatic Sea. Finally, Farfantepenaeus aztecus has been found in the Ionian Sea, thus showing its wide expansion in the Mediterranean. The larval stages of Faccionella oxyrhyncha have been found, after many years, in the Aegean Sea and the first report of an existence on intersexual acari Litarachna duboscqi in Split (Adriatic Sea) was reported.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } According to reports, the following 16 species have extended their distribution to other Mediterranean areas or have made a new appearance in other regions. The first category includes the following organisms: The rare and common Indo-Pacific seaweed Codium arabicum (Lebanese coasts), the acari Thalassarachna affinis (Marmara Sea), and the non-indigenous nudibranch Flabellina rubrolineata , which has also been found in many other areas of the Aegean Sea. In addition, the rare sea slug Thecacera pennigera (Piccolo of Taranto), the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina (National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Ionian Sea), the carangid Seriola fasciata (Gulf of Antalya), Lagocephalus sceleratus (SE. Ionian Sea), the reticulated leatherjacket Stephanolepis diaspro s (Slovenia, N. Adriatic Sea), the marbled stingray, Dasyatis marmorata (NE Levantine), the starry smooth-hound Mustelus asterias (Iskenderun Bay, NE Mediterranean), the cephalopod Ommastrephes bartramii (Ionian Sea) have also been reported. The Atlantic crab Dyspanopeus sayi has expanded to many Italian areas and the blue crab Callinectes sapidus to a lake in N. Greece and in the S. Adriatic Sea. Finally, Farfantepenaeus aztecus has been found in the Ionian Sea, thus showing its wide expansion in the Mediterranean. The larval stages of Faccionella oxyrhyncha have been found, after many years, in the Aegean Sea and the first report of an existence on intersexual acari Litarachna duboscqi in Split (Adriatic Sea) was reported. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni Mediterranean marine caves as biodiversity reservoirs: a preliminary overview Inproceedings C, Ouerghi Langar Bouafif A H (Ed.): Proceedings of 1st Mediterranean Symposium on the conservation of Dark Habitats, pp. 45–50, RAC/SPA, Tunis, 2014. @inproceedings{langar_h_bouafif_c_mediterranean_2014, title = {Mediterranean marine caves as biodiversity reservoirs: a preliminary overview}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou}, editor = {Ouerghi A Langar H Bouafif C}, url = {http://rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/symposium/proc_1_dark_habitats_final.pdf}, year = {2014}, date = {2014-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of 1st Mediterranean Symposium on the conservation of Dark Habitats}, pages = {45--50}, publisher = {RAC/SPA}, address = {Tunis}, abstract = {Marine caves constitute a typical feature of the Mediterranean coastline, yet knowledge on their biodiversity is scattered and geographically fragmented. In order to assess the overall diversity of the Mediterranean cave biota, an overview of 307 studies was combined with data obtained from previously unexplored marine caves of the Aegean Sea. A total of 2167 taxa were recorded from 350 caves in 15 countries. Our analyses showed that research has mainly taken place in semi-submerged and shallow caves from the northern Mediterranean. Species richness varied among areas, reflecting variability in research effort and in the number of caves, which are more abundant on the rocky coasts of the northern basin. The Tyrrhenian Sea (822 taxa), Ionian Sea (696), and French coasts (650) presented the highest species richness and research effort. The biodiversity overview revealed that marine caves harbour a considerable proportion of the total Mediterranean fauna for particular phyla, especially for brachiopods, bryozoans and sponges. However, gaps of knowledge emerged regarding certain areas, groups of biota, assemblages, and cave types. It is suggested that Mediterranean marine caves constitute significant biodiversity reservoirs deserving further scientific research and conservation actions.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Marine caves constitute a typical feature of the Mediterranean coastline, yet knowledge on their biodiversity is scattered and geographically fragmented. In order to assess the overall diversity of the Mediterranean cave biota, an overview of 307 studies was combined with data obtained from previously unexplored marine caves of the Aegean Sea. A total of 2167 taxa were recorded from 350 caves in 15 countries. Our analyses showed that research has mainly taken place in semi-submerged and shallow caves from the northern Mediterranean. Species richness varied among areas, reflecting variability in research effort and in the number of caves, which are more abundant on the rocky coasts of the northern basin. The Tyrrhenian Sea (822 taxa), Ionian Sea (696), and French coasts (650) presented the highest species richness and research effort. The biodiversity overview revealed that marine caves harbour a considerable proportion of the total Mediterranean fauna for particular phyla, especially for brachiopods, bryozoans and sponges. However, gaps of knowledge emerged regarding certain areas, groups of biota, assemblages, and cave types. It is suggested that Mediterranean marine caves constitute significant biodiversity reservoirs deserving further scientific research and conservation actions. |
2013 |
Voultsiadou, Eleni; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Dailianis, Thanos Extinction trends of marine species and populations in the Aegean Sea and adjacent ecoregions Incollection Briand, F (Ed.): Marine extinctions - patterns and processes, pp. 59–74, CIESM Publisher, Monaco, 2013. @incollection{voultsiadou_extinction_2013, title = {Extinction trends of marine species and populations in the Aegean Sea and adjacent ecoregions}, author = {Eleni Voultsiadou and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Thanos Dailianis}, editor = {F Briand}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, booktitle = {Marine extinctions - patterns and processes}, pages = {59--74}, publisher = {CIESM Publisher}, address = {Monaco}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } |
Giakoumi, S; Gerovasileiou, V; Sini, M; Mazor, T; Beher, J; Possingham, H; Çinar, M E; Dendrinos, P; Gucu, A; Karamanlidis, A A; Rodic, P; Schembri, P J; Taskin, E; Zenetos, A; Katsanevakis, S Planning For Conservation In The Mediterranean Sea: An Ecoregional Approach Inproceedings Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée, pp. 799, CIESM Publisher, Marseille, 2013. @inproceedings{giakoumi_planning_2013, title = {Planning For Conservation In The Mediterranean Sea: An Ecoregional Approach}, author = {S Giakoumi and V Gerovasileiou and M Sini and T Mazor and J Beher and H Possingham and M E Çinar and P Dendrinos and A Gucu and A A Karamanlidis and P Rodic and P J Schembri and E Taskin and A Zenetos and S Katsanevakis}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, booktitle = {Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée}, pages = {799}, publisher = {CIESM Publisher}, address = {Marseille}, abstract = {Our study demonstrates that setting conservation targets for each Mediterranean ecoregion, can lead to outcomes more comprehensive in the representation of the Mediterranean biodiversity overcoming the great variability in availability of biodiversity and socioeconomic data among countries.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Our study demonstrates that setting conservation targets for each Mediterranean ecoregion, can lead to outcomes more comprehensive in the representation of the Mediterranean biodiversity overcoming the great variability in availability of biodiversity and socioeconomic data among countries. |
Giakoumi, Sylvaine; Sini, Maria; Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Mazor, Tessa; Beher, Jutta; Possingham, Hugh P; Abdulla, Ameer; Çinar, Melih Ertan; Dendrinos, Panagiotis; Gucu, Ali Cemal; Karamanlidis, Alexandros A; Rodic, Petra; Panayotidis, Panayotis; Taskin, Ergun; Jaklin, Andrej; Voultsiadou, Eleni; Webster, Chloë; Zenetos, Argyro; Katsanevakis, Stelios Ecoregion-Based Conservation Planning in the Mediterranean: Dealing with Large-Scale Heterogeneity Journal Article PLoS ONE, 8 (10), pp. e76449, 2013, ISSN: 19326203, (ISBN: 1932-6203 (Electronic)$textbackslashbackslash$r1932-6203 (Linking)). @article{giakoumi_ecoregion-based_2013, title = {Ecoregion-Based Conservation Planning in the Mediterranean: Dealing with Large-Scale Heterogeneity}, author = {Sylvaine Giakoumi and Maria Sini and Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Tessa Mazor and Jutta Beher and Hugh P Possingham and Ameer Abdulla and Melih Ertan Çinar and Panagiotis Dendrinos and Ali Cemal Gucu and Alexandros A Karamanlidis and Petra Rodic and Panayotis Panayotidis and Ergun Taskin and Andrej Jaklin and Eleni Voultsiadou and Chloë Webster and Argyro Zenetos and Stelios Katsanevakis}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0076449}, issn = {19326203}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {8}, number = {10}, pages = {e76449}, abstract = {Spatial priorities for the conservation of three key Mediterranean habitats, i.e. seagrass Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous formations, and marine caves, were determined through a systematic planning approach. Available information on the distribution of these habitats across the entire Mediterranean Sea was compiled to produce basin-scale distribution maps. Conservation targets for each habitat type were set according to European Union guidelines. Surrogates were used to estimate the spatial variation of opportunity cost for commercial, non-commercial fishing, and aquaculture. Marxan conservation planning software was used to evaluate the comparative utility of two planning scenarios: (a) a whole-basin scenario, referring to selection of priority areas across the whole Mediterranean Sea, and (b) an ecoregional scenario, in which priority areas were selected within eight predefined ecoregions. Although both scenarios required approximately the same total area to be protected in order to achieve conservation targets, the opportunity cost differed between them. The whole-basin scenario yielded a lower opportunity cost, but the Alboran Sea ecoregion was not represented and priority areas were predominantly located in the Ionian, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas. In comparison, the ecoregional scenario resulted in a higher representation of ecoregions and a more even distribution of priority areas, albeit with a higher opportunity cost. We suggest that planning at the ecoregional level ensures better representativeness of the selected conservation features and adequate protection of species, functional, and genetic diversity across the basin. While there are several initiatives that identify priority areas in the Mediterranean Sea, our approach is novel as it combines three issues: (a) it is based on the distribution of habitats and not species, which was rarely the case in previous efforts, (b) it considers spatial variability of cost throughout this socioeconomically heterogeneous basin, and (c) it adopts ecoregions as the most appropriate level for large-scale planning.}, note = {ISBN: 1932-6203 (Electronic)$textbackslashbackslash$r1932-6203 (Linking)}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Spatial priorities for the conservation of three key Mediterranean habitats, i.e. seagrass Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous formations, and marine caves, were determined through a systematic planning approach. Available information on the distribution of these habitats across the entire Mediterranean Sea was compiled to produce basin-scale distribution maps. Conservation targets for each habitat type were set according to European Union guidelines. Surrogates were used to estimate the spatial variation of opportunity cost for commercial, non-commercial fishing, and aquaculture. Marxan conservation planning software was used to evaluate the comparative utility of two planning scenarios: (a) a whole-basin scenario, referring to selection of priority areas across the whole Mediterranean Sea, and (b) an ecoregional scenario, in which priority areas were selected within eight predefined ecoregions. Although both scenarios required approximately the same total area to be protected in order to achieve conservation targets, the opportunity cost differed between them. The whole-basin scenario yielded a lower opportunity cost, but the Alboran Sea ecoregion was not represented and priority areas were predominantly located in the Ionian, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas. In comparison, the ecoregional scenario resulted in a higher representation of ecoregions and a more even distribution of priority areas, albeit with a higher opportunity cost. We suggest that planning at the ecoregional level ensures better representativeness of the selected conservation features and adequate protection of species, functional, and genetic diversity across the basin. While there are several initiatives that identify priority areas in the Mediterranean Sea, our approach is novel as it combines three issues: (a) it is based on the distribution of habitats and not species, which was rarely the case in previous efforts, (b) it considers spatial variability of cost throughout this socioeconomically heterogeneous basin, and (c) it adopts ecoregions as the most appropriate level for large-scale planning. |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Vafidis, Dimitris; Koutsoubas, Drosos; Voultsiadou, Eleni Spatial Heterogeneity Of Sessile Benthos In A Submerged Cave Of The Eastern Mediterranean Inproceedings Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée, pp. 880, CIESM Publisher, Marseille, 2013. @inproceedings{gerovasileiou_spatial_2013, title = {Spatial Heterogeneity Of Sessile Benthos In A Submerged Cave Of The Eastern Mediterranean}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Dimitris Vafidis and Drosos Koutsoubas and Eleni Voultsiadou}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, booktitle = {Rapport Commission internationale Mer Méditerranée}, pages = {880}, publisher = {CIESM Publisher}, address = {Marseille}, abstract = {Despite their scientific interest and high conservation value, marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean are poorly explored. Herein, a submerged cave from the Aegean Sea was surveyed through SCUBA diving and photoquadrats. A rich fauna of 65 taxa and 4 distinct benthic assemblages were identified. The biotic spatial heterogeneity observed was associated with the unique topography of the different cave sectors.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Despite their scientific interest and high conservation value, marine caves of the eastern Mediterranean are poorly explored. Herein, a submerged cave from the Aegean Sea was surveyed through SCUBA diving and photoquadrats. A rich fauna of 65 taxa and 4 distinct benthic assemblages were identified. The biotic spatial heterogeneity observed was associated with the unique topography of the different cave sectors. |
Gerovasileiou, V; Trygonis, V; Sini, M; Koutsoubas, D; Voultsiadou, E Three-dimensional mapping of marine caves using a handheld echosounder Journal Article Marine Ecology Progress Series, 486 , pp. 13–22, 2013, ISSN: 0171-8630, 1616-1599. @article{gerovasileiou_three-dimensional_2013, title = {Three-dimensional mapping of marine caves using a handheld echosounder}, author = {V Gerovasileiou and V Trygonis and M Sini and D Koutsoubas and E Voultsiadou}, url = {http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v486/p13-22/}, doi = {10.3354/meps10374}, issn = {0171-8630, 1616-1599}, year = {2013}, date = {2013-01-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series}, volume = {486}, pages = {13--22}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
2012 |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Voultsiadou, Eleni Marine caves of the mediterranean sea: A sponge biodiversity reservoir within a biodiversity hotspot Journal Article PLoS ONE, 7 (7), pp. e39873, 2012, ISSN: 19326203, (ISBN: 1932-6203 (Electronic)$textbackslashbackslash$r1932-6203 (Linking)). @article{gerovasileiou_marine_2012, title = {Marine caves of the mediterranean sea: A sponge biodiversity reservoir within a biodiversity hotspot}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Eleni Voultsiadou}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0039873}, issn = {19326203}, year = {2012}, date = {2012-01-01}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {7}, number = {7}, pages = {e39873}, abstract = {Marine caves are widely acknowledged for their unique biodiversity and constitute a typical feature of the Mediterranean coastline. Herein an attempt was made to evaluate the ecological significance of this particular ecosystem in the Mediterranean Sea, which is considered a biodiversity hotspot. This was accomplished by using Porifera, which dominate the rocky sublittoral substrata, as a reference group in a meta-analytical approach, combining primary research data from the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) with data derived from the literature. In total 311 species from all poriferan classes were recorded, representing 45.7% of the Mediterranean Porifera. Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha are highly represented in marine caves at the family (88%), generic (70%), and species level (47.5%), the latter being the most favored group along with Dictyoceratida and Lithistida. Several rare and cave-exclusive species were reported from only one or few caves, indicating the fragmentation and peculiarity of this unique ecosystem. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity varied among Mediterranean areas; the former was positively correlated with research effort, being higher in the northern Mediterranean, while the latter was generally higher in caves than in the overall sponge assemblages of each area. Resemblance analysis among areas revealed that cavernicolous sponge assemblages followed a pattern quite similar to that of the overall Mediterranean assemblages. The same pattern was exhibited by the zoogeographic affinities of cave sponges: species with Atlanto-Mediterranean distribution and Mediterranean endemics prevailed (more than 40% each), 70% of them having warm-water affinities, since most caves were studied in shallow waters. According to our findings, Mediterranean marine caves appear to be important sponge biodiversity reservoirs of high representativeness and great scientific interest, deserving further detailed study and protection.}, note = {ISBN: 1932-6203 (Electronic)$textbackslashbackslash$r1932-6203 (Linking)}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Marine caves are widely acknowledged for their unique biodiversity and constitute a typical feature of the Mediterranean coastline. Herein an attempt was made to evaluate the ecological significance of this particular ecosystem in the Mediterranean Sea, which is considered a biodiversity hotspot. This was accomplished by using Porifera, which dominate the rocky sublittoral substrata, as a reference group in a meta-analytical approach, combining primary research data from the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) with data derived from the literature. In total 311 species from all poriferan classes were recorded, representing 45.7% of the Mediterranean Porifera. Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha are highly represented in marine caves at the family (88%), generic (70%), and species level (47.5%), the latter being the most favored group along with Dictyoceratida and Lithistida. Several rare and cave-exclusive species were reported from only one or few caves, indicating the fragmentation and peculiarity of this unique ecosystem. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity varied among Mediterranean areas; the former was positively correlated with research effort, being higher in the northern Mediterranean, while the latter was generally higher in caves than in the overall sponge assemblages of each area. Resemblance analysis among areas revealed that cavernicolous sponge assemblages followed a pattern quite similar to that of the overall Mediterranean assemblages. The same pattern was exhibited by the zoogeographic affinities of cave sponges: species with Atlanto-Mediterranean distribution and Mediterranean endemics prevailed (more than 40% each), 70% of them having warm-water affinities, since most caves were studied in shallow waters. According to our findings, Mediterranean marine caves appear to be important sponge biodiversity reservoirs of high representativeness and great scientific interest, deserving further detailed study and protection. |
2010 |
Dounas, C; Koutsoubas, D; Salomidi, M; Koulouri, P; Gerovasileiou, V; Sini, M Distribution and Fisheries of the red coral Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Greek Seas: an overview Incollection Bussoletti, E; Cottingham, D; Bruckner, A; Roberts, G; Sandulli, R (Ed.): Red Coral Science, Management, and Trade: Lessons from the Mediterranean, (CRCP-13), pp. 106–114, NOAA, 2010. @incollection{dounas_distribution_2010, title = {Distribution and Fisheries of the red coral Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Greek Seas: an overview}, author = {C Dounas and D Koutsoubas and M Salomidi and P Koulouri and V Gerovasileiou and M Sini}, editor = {E Bussoletti and D Cottingham and A Bruckner and G Roberts and R Sandulli}, url = {http://www.google.gr/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CFUQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marescienza.it%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_docman%26task%3Ddoc_download%26gid%3D25%26Itemid%3D32&ei=DZ6-TZi6FtCcOrnovcYF&usg=AFQjCNHYzcaFbY1SRoTN-UABRz62GfoCSQ}, year = {2010}, date = {2010-01-01}, booktitle = {Red Coral Science, Management, and Trade: Lessons from the Mediterranean}, number = {CRCP-13}, pages = {106--114}, publisher = {NOAA}, series = {NOAA Technical Memorandum}, abstract = {Information, both on the spatial and vertical distribution of Corallium rubrum and its fisheries status in the Greek Seas, is reported in this paper, along with problems related to the conservation and sustainable management of this renewable biological resource. Although fisheries of red coral stocks in Greece have been regulated according to a national rotating harvesting system since 1994, the difficulties experienced by both local and central authorities in confronting the illegal fishing of red corals in closed areas may have resulted in a decrease of the local populations. Available data show that in many areas the shallow water red coral stocks (up to 60 m) are now almost depleted. The observed evidence for the decline of red coral stocks in areas only recently opened up to exploitation is a clear indication that fishing (most probably by using illegal dragging gears) was carried out in these areas throughout the closed period. As an attempt to safeguard stock conservation, it is strongly recommended that an international research programme be set up, aiming at investigating the spatial and vertical distribution as well as the population structure of red coral in the Greek Seas, along with the enforcement of supplementary measures that will improve the effectiveness of the rotating harvesting scheme.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {incollection} } Information, both on the spatial and vertical distribution of Corallium rubrum and its fisheries status in the Greek Seas, is reported in this paper, along with problems related to the conservation and sustainable management of this renewable biological resource. Although fisheries of red coral stocks in Greece have been regulated according to a national rotating harvesting system since 1994, the difficulties experienced by both local and central authorities in confronting the illegal fishing of red corals in closed areas may have resulted in a decrease of the local populations. Available data show that in many areas the shallow water red coral stocks (up to 60 m) are now almost depleted. The observed evidence for the decline of red coral stocks in areas only recently opened up to exploitation is a clear indication that fishing (most probably by using illegal dragging gears) was carried out in these areas throughout the closed period. As an attempt to safeguard stock conservation, it is strongly recommended that an international research programme be set up, aiming at investigating the spatial and vertical distribution as well as the population structure of red coral in the Greek Seas, along with the enforcement of supplementary measures that will improve the effectiveness of the rotating harvesting scheme. |
2009 |
Poursanidis, D; Koutsoubas, D; Issaris, J; Gerovasileiou, V; Zenetos, A New records on the opisthobranch fauna of the Greek seas Journal Article Marine Biodiversity Records, 2 , pp. e74, 2009, ISSN: 1755-2672. @article{poursanidis_new_2009, title = {New records on the opisthobranch fauna of the Greek seas}, author = {D Poursanidis and D Koutsoubas and J Issaris and V Gerovasileiou and A Zenetos}, url = {http://www.journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1755267209000475}, doi = {10.1017/S1755267209000475}, issn = {1755-2672}, year = {2009}, date = {2009-04-01}, urldate = {2020-08-06}, journal = {Marine Biodiversity Records}, volume = {2}, pages = {e74}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Gerovasileiou, Vasilis; Sini, Maria I; Poursanidis, Dimitris; Koutsoubas, Drosos Contribution To The Knowledge Of Corraligenous Communities In The NE Aegean Sea Inproceedings Proceedings of the 1st Mediterranean Symposium on the Coralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions of the Mediterranean Sea, pp. 205–207, UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA, Tunis, 2009. @inproceedings{gerovasileiou_contribution_2009, title = {Contribution To The Knowledge Of Corraligenous Communities In The NE Aegean Sea}, author = {Vasilis Gerovasileiou and Maria I Sini and Dimitris Poursanidis and Drosos Koutsoubas}, year = {2009}, date = {2009-01-01}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 1st Mediterranean Symposium on the Coralligenous and other calcareous bio-concretions of the Mediterranean Sea}, pages = {205--207}, publisher = {UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA}, address = {Tunis}, abstract = {Within the present work coralligenous communities from the NE Aegean Sea have been qualitatively investigated. Sampling methodology included visual census techniques by means of SCUBA diving, at depths of up to 45m. Typical coralligenous communities were found at the deeper sites, such as on bluff sea cliffs and rocky reefs, as well as at the entrance of submerged caves. The distribution pattern found in this area could be attributed both to the oceanographic features of the surveyed sites, as well as to the level of intensity of human activities (e.g. fishing and boat anchoring) that may constitute a limiting factor for these fragile communities to develop in shallow waters. Additional scientific research, detailed habitat mapping and adoption of measures for the protection of the coralligenous communities of the Aegean Sea are necessary in order to ensure their conservation and avoid further habitat loss.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inproceedings} } Within the present work coralligenous communities from the NE Aegean Sea have been qualitatively investigated. Sampling methodology included visual census techniques by means of SCUBA diving, at depths of up to 45m. Typical coralligenous communities were found at the deeper sites, such as on bluff sea cliffs and rocky reefs, as well as at the entrance of submerged caves. The distribution pattern found in this area could be attributed both to the oceanographic features of the surveyed sites, as well as to the level of intensity of human activities (e.g. fishing and boat anchoring) that may constitute a limiting factor for these fragile communities to develop in shallow waters. Additional scientific research, detailed habitat mapping and adoption of measures for the protection of the coralligenous communities of the Aegean Sea are necessary in order to ensure their conservation and avoid further habitat loss. |