Orientation of crustacean burrows in the Bay of Panzano (Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea)

Three burrow systems produced by Jaxea nocturna and one cluster of burrows produced by Upogebia pusilla where investigated in the Bay of Panzano, Northern Adriatic Sea, to determine preferred orientations. The distributions of dip directions differ between both producers. Steep shafts into the consolidated mud followed by large, shallowly inclined tunnels oriented in a manner similar to a spiral are characteristic for Jaxea nocturna burrows. In contrast, the Y-shaped burrows of Upogebia pusilla have entrance shafts that are less steep which are connected by a near-horizontal section, where a blind ending tunnel branches. Orientations of the dominating, shallowly inclined burrow parts are not randomly distributed in either Jaxea or in Upogebia burrows. Three preferred axial orientations with almost equal proportions in each direction are characteristic for the Jaxea burrow from the centre of the bay. This system transforms to a squared structure near the coast, where one direction parallels the shoreline and the other is oriented at right angles to the coast. The latter orientation demonstrates significant constancy in all investigated burrows. Upogebia burrow clusters coincide with the three preferred orientations of the Jaxea burrow from the bay centre, but the proportions of the directions are unequal. Burrow segments connecting the steep entrance shafts in Upogebia are oriented almost parallel to the shoreline, whereas at right angles to the coast the flat blind-ending tunnels incline towards the open sea. The study shows a strong coincidence between empirical and theoretical distributions of the dominating orientations in both species.     

Orientation of crustacean burrows in the Bay of Panzano (Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea)

Three burrow systems produced by Jaxea nocturna and one cluster of burrows produced by Upogebia pusilla where investigated in the Bay of Panzano, Northern Adriatic Sea, to determine preferred orientations. The distributions of dip directions differ between both producers. Steep shafts into the consolidated mud followed by large, shallowly inclined tunnels oriented in a manner similar to a spiral are characteristic for Jaxea nocturna burrows. In contrast, the Y-shaped burrows of Upogebia pusilla have entrance shafts that are less steep which are connected by a near-horizontal section, where a blind ending tunnel branches. Orientations of the dominating, shallowly inclined burrow parts are not randomly distributed in either Jaxea or in Upogebia burrows. Three preferred axial orientations with almost equal proportions in each direction are characteristic for the Jaxea burrow from the centre of the bay. This system transforms to a squared structure near the coast, where one direction parallels the shoreline and the other is oriented at right angles to the coast. The latter orientation demonstrates significant constancy in all investigated burrows. Upogebia burrow clusters coincide with the three preferred orientations of the Jaxea burrow from the bay centre, but the proportions of the directions are unequal. Burrow segments connecting the steep entrance shafts in Upogebia are oriented almost parallel to the shoreline, whereas at right angles to the coast the flat blind-ending tunnels incline towards the open sea. The study shows a strong coincidence between empirical and theoretical distributions of the dominating orientations in both species.     

Ecology and taxonomy of potentially toxic Pseudo-nitzschia species in Lim Bay (north-eastern Adriatic Sea)

The population dynamics of Pseudo-nitzschia in relation to environmental factors was investigated from March 2002 to July 2008 in Lim Bay, in the north-eastern Adriatic Sea. Domoic acid was monitored in the breeding population of Mytilus galloprovincialis from 2005 to 2008. The principal-component analysis of environmental parameters showed that the system is mostly temperature driven. The phytoplankton community was mainly composed of diatoms. Pseudo-nitzschia was the dominant diatom, present in 60% of samples, with a maximum (1.6 × 10⁶ cells L⁻¹) contribution up to 97% of the total diatom abundance. Morphological analysis revealed Pseudo-nitzschia manii and potentially toxic Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima, Pseudo-nitzschia pungens, Pseudo-nitzschia fraudulenta and Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha as the dominant species in blooms. Pseudo-nitzschia abundance positively correlated to temperature, phosphate and ammonia in accordance with its maximal abundance in the summer/autumn period when fish farms had a maximum impact on the environment. Domoic acid was detected in M. galloprovincialis in concentrations below regulatory limits, ranging from 0.097 to 0.8721 μg g⁻¹ in five cases from April to October 2005 in Lim Bay, but so far it is not clear which of the species was responsible for DA production. This study is also the first record of P. manii, P pungens and P. fraudulenta species in the Adriatic Sea.     

Viral production in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea): Preliminary results using different methodological approaches

Although the temporal and spatial variability of virioplankton in the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea has been repeatedly explored suggesting that viruses constitute an extremely dynamic component of the plankton community and hypothesizing their importance in marine food webs and mucilage events, there is still no information about viral replication rates. Hence, the contribution of viruses to bacterial mortality and the cycling of organic matter in this part of the Adriatic basin are still not fully comprehended. Assessment of the role of viral lysis requires a robust means of estimating viral production. Since, up to now, none of the available methods evolved to a state of a standard yet, in this preliminary study 3 different experimental approaches were simultaneously assayed (viral production estimated by radiotracer incorporation method [TdR], dilution technique for the estimate of viral production in already infected bacteria [DIL] and serial dilution method in manipulated phage-host assemblage [SER]). The present study provided the first evidence of viral production rates in this study area, that resulted in comprising between ∼ 3.5-15 × 10⁸ viruses L^− 1 h^− 1 and critically faced up the results obtained by different techniques with the consideration that they suffer from different biases. Based on TdR and DIL viral proliferation estimates, viral lysis was responsible for the loss of 54 to 95% of the bacterial standing stock, while the viral-induced mortality by SER (325% d^− 1) was likely consistently overestimated. These results indicate that viral lysis is a significant factor for prokaryotic mortality suggesting its implication as an important pathway for the cycling of dissolved organic matter in the Gulf of Trieste.     

The Colonisation of Human-made Structures by the Invasive Alga Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides in the North Adriatic Sea (NE Mediterranean)

Human-made structures, such as groynes, breakwaters, seawalls, pier pilings and floating pontoons, are becoming common features of the landscape in urbanised coastal and estuarine areas. Despite this tendency few studies have focused on their ecology or on their potential impacts on natural assemblages of organisms. When artificial structures are introduced in areas with little or no hard substrata, they not only provide novel habitats, which enables the colonisation of sandy areas by hard-bottom dwelling species, but they can also provide suitable habitats for exotic species. Along the north-east coast of Italy, sandy shores are protected from erosion by a line of breakwaters, which runs almost uninterrupted for about 300 km. These structures provide habitat for a variety of macroalgae and invertebrates and also for the invasive green alga Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate patterns of distribution of this alga on breakwaters in Cesenatico. In particular, we compared the density of thalli, biomass, length and degree of branching of C. fragile ssp. tomentosoides between the landward and the seaward sides of breakwaters, to test the hypothesis that sheltered habitats (landward) represent more suitable habitats than exposed habitats (seaward). In general, the landward side of breakwaters supported greater numbers of thalli of C. fragile ssp. tomentosoides than seaward sides. Thalli grew longer and more branched in sheltered habitats, leading to an overall larger biomass of the alga on the landward side of breakwaters. The presence of sheltered human-made hard substrata in the vicinity of major trading ports and sources of eutrophication could enhance the dispersal of invasive species across regional and geographic scales. Thus, the effects of artificial structures and introduced species on coastal assemblages cannot be evaluated separately, but their synergistic nature should be considered in planning strategies for conservation of biodiversity in coastal habitats.     

Effect of salinity, temperature, organic and inorganic nutrients on growth of cultured Fibrocapsa japonica (Raphidophyceae) from the northern Adriatic Sea

The effects of temperature, salinity, inorganic and organic nutrients on the growth and physiological performance of Fibrocapsa japonica have been investigated in strains isolated from the northern Adriatic Sea, where intense and regular blooms have occurred since 1997 in coastal waters during summer. Strains isolated at different times and from different locations appeared homogeneous in terms of both physiological responses and molecular (ITS-5.8S rDNA) characteristics. Growth rates were higher at temperatures between 20 and 26 °C and in a salinity range of 30–35 (0.7 div day⁻¹). The temperature of 16 °C inhibited growth, more markedly at the lowest and highest salinity values, a result also confirmed by a lower photosynthetic efficiency and by an increase in cell volume due to impaired division. Higher cell concentrations were obtained with macronutrients at f/2 levels than in a fivefold diluted medium. Comparing the utilization of 200 μM nitrate to that of different N sources (inorganic and organic), F. japonica showed an efficient growth with equivalent amounts of ammonia, urea and amino acids, such as glycine and tryptophan; glutamate was less effective, while methionine had toxic effects. Organic phosphate, administered as glycerophosphate, could also sustain F. japonica growth, probably on account of an alkaline phosphatase whose activity was enhanced in the presence of the organic form. Vitamins were necessary for growth, though no further stimulation was observed when a surplus of vitamin B12 (3 nM) was added. The addition of 11.7 μM iron instead of 2.3 μM, as well as that of humic acid, with or without macronutrients, did not enhance algal growth either. These results led us to hypothesise that F. japonica blooms became more frequent due to a general seawater temperature increase and to the availability of organic forms which, in coastal anthropized areas, are especially abundant in summer periods.     

The extensive development of the turf-forming red alga Womersleyella setacea (Hollenberg) R. E. Norris (Rhodophyta,Ceramiales) in the Bay of Boka Kotorska,Montenegro (southern Adriatic Sea)

Abstract

In August 2003, dense turfs formed by the filamentous red alga Womersleyella setacea (Hollenberg) R. E. Norris were found in the open part of the Bay of Boka Kotorska, on the shore of Montenegro (southern Adriatic Sea). The habitat and morphology of the alga are described and the impact of the massive development of this species on the structure of the algal communities is discussed.     

Sedimentary anaerobic microbial biogeochemistry in the Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea: Influences of bottom water oxygen depletion

Sediment samples from two locationsin the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) werecollected during periods of maximum and minimumtemperatures for two years. Both sites were rich incarbonate material and inhabited by a diverse benthicinfaunal community. However, Site F exhibited adeeper dwelling faunal community, higher content ofcarbonate minerals, and larger grained sediments thanat site MA, which was closer to shore. Depth profilesof sulfate reduction and potential rates of iron andmanganese reduction were determined together withmeasurements of pore water and solid phase chemistry. Bottom waters at all sites were nearly saturated withoxygen for all of the dates sampled except forSeptember 1993 when bottom waters at site F were lessthan 50% saturated. Sulfate reduction rates were ashigh as 400 nmol ml^-1 day^-1 during latesummer and fall when temperatures were >20 °C,while rates during March (8 °C) were <30 nmolml^-1 day^-1. Potential rates of ironreduction, as determined by the accumulation of bothdissolved and acid-soluble reduced iron, were high insurficial sediments at each site except at site F whenbottom waters were partially depleted in oxygen. In the latter instance, sulfate reduction overwhelmedmetal reduction. Although the portion of metalreduction due directly to enzymatic use by bacteriawas not determined, the potential rate data suggestedthat Fe and perhaps Mn reduction were significantcomponents of anaerobic carbon degradation in thesesediments during much of the year. Both sitesappeared to support active metal-reducing bacterialcommunities. However, occasional depletion of oxygenin bottom waters appeared to cause a decrease inirrigation/reworking activity by infauna whichdepressed redox cycling of elements enhancing theimportance of sulfate reduction. A shift from metalreduction to sulfate reduction potentially exacerbatestoxic effects of oxygen depletion on fauna byincreasing the accumulation of toxic sulfide.     

Identity of Squalius (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) from Istra Peninsula in Croatia (Adriatic Sea basin)

A chub of previously ambiguous identity from the Boljunscica and Pazincica rivers (south-eastern Istra Peninsula) was studied and compared with geographically close Squalius squalus, Squalius zrmanja, and Squalius janae recently described from the Dragonja River drainage in the Adriatic Sea basin in Slovenia. It was shown that the chub from the south-eastern Istra Peninsula differs from all know species of Squalius but one: Squalius janae. Three samples examined from Boljunscica and Pazincica rivers and Squalius janae from its type locality, Dragonja River, show the following characters typical for the latter species: a long head (the head length 27–32% SL); a pointed conical snout with a clearly projecting upper jaw; a long straight mouth cleft, the lower jaw length (39–45% HL) exceeding the caudal peduncle depth; a large eye; commonly 9? branched anal-fin rays; commonly 44 total vertebrae (24+20 or 25+19); bright silvery colouration, scales easily lost; iris, pectoral, pelvic and anal fin pigmentation with yellow shades. The data on the distribution of Squalius chubs in the northern Adriatic basin support the assumption that the range of Squalius janae is determined by the geology of the Trieste Flysch Basin and the Pazin Flysch Basin forming the base of the Istra Peninsula. The distribution pattern of this species does not support a simple model of fish dispersal and a complete connectivity within the whole Palaeo-Po historical drainage. Indeed, it indicates a disrupted surface palaeohydrography that was heavily fragmented by karstification in the whole Dinaric area.     

Influence of the Thin Drift Algal Mats on the Distribution of Macrozoobenthos in Kõiguste Bay, NE Baltic Sea

Macrozoobenthic communities within and outside of the drift algal mats were compared in Kõiguste Bay, NE Baltic Sea. The patches of the drift algae were on average 0.5–1 km wide in diameter covering about 25% of the total bottom area of the bay. Thickness of the mat did not exceed 6 cm. The biomass of the mat varied between 35 and 1391 g dw m^?2. The drift algal mats had no clear negative effect on macrozoobenthos except for a few infaunal species. The drift algae favoured several detrivorous, herbivorous and carnivorous species. Among the studied variables, the thickness of algal mat and oxygen concentration at near-bottom layer explained the best the structure of macrozoobenthos. Total number of invertebrate species increased curvilinearly with the thickness of algal mat having the peak value at 3–5 cm thick algal mat. To conclude, moderate drift algal mats increased habitat complexity and, thus, the diversity of benthic faunal assemblages in otherwise poorly vegetated coastal areas.     

珠江口及毗邻海域营养盐对浮游植物生长的影响

基于2006年7月(夏季),10月(秋季)和2007年3月(春季)的现场调查数据,对珠江口及毗邻海域中的营养盐和叶绿素a等环境生态因子的时空分布特性进行了对比分析,研究了氮磷比与叶绿素a含量和种群多样性之间的联系,探讨了该海域营养盐对于浮游植物生长的影响。结果表明:(1)研究海域营养盐表现出较强的季节和空间差异性,总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)浓度均值春季(1.545 mg/L、0.056 mg/L)和夏季(1.570 mg/L、0.058 mg/L)均大于秋季(1.442 mg/L、0.034 mg/L),且春夏季浓度空间差异更明显。(2)调查期间海域营养盐含量超标现象突出,夏季尤为明显。无机氮(DIN)总体均值0.99 mg/L,超四类海水标准限值1倍,活性磷酸盐(PO4-P)总体均值0.021 mg/L,DIN∶PO4-P平均值为130;叶绿素a浓度与营养盐、p H、温度有较显著的相关性。(3)叶绿素a浓度较高的站位,具有较高的DIN∶PO4-P值,但浮游植物多样性指数偏低,优势种明显,主要为中肋骨条藻。氮磷比的改变会影响不同生长特性的浮游植物间的竞争和种群结构的改变;今后海洋污染治理中,在控制氮、磷污染时要注意氮磷比的改变可能造成的浮游生态影响。     

Seasonal changes in physiological responses and evaluation of "well-being" in the Venus clam Chamelea gallina from the Northern Adriatic Sea

Chamelea gallina is an infaunal bivalve, widespread in sandy bottoms along Mediterranean coasts. It is an important economic resource for fisheries in the Adriatic, although in recent years over-fishing, and other concurrent factors, have dramatically decreased clam harvesting. In this context, it is of great interest to gain information on seasonal variations in the physiological performance of clams, for an overall evaluation of their well-being. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to define allometric relationships and effects of temperature on clearance and respiration rates of C. gallina. The mean values of b coefficients were calculated and used to correlate physiological measurements to 'standard' body mass, when seasonally collected clams were analysed. The highest clearance rate (0.42 L h(-1)) was measured in clams collected in July 2000; the highest respiration rate (12.22 micromol O2 h(-1)) was observed in July 2001, leading to a negative scope for growth (-2.8 J h(-1)). The influence of environmental and endogenous factors, mostly reproduction, was discussed. Survival in air and condition indices, showing higher stress conditions in December 2000 and July 2001, were in good agreement with the other physiological measurements. The physiological responses examined in this study appear to be suitable for providing detailed indications on the well-being of C. gallina and may be useful for future studies aimed at eco-sustainable management of the resource.     

Spawning of the colonial coral <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladocora caespitosa</Emphasis> (Anthozoa,Scleractinia) in the Southern Adriatic Sea

Data on sexual reproduction of scleractinian coral species living in temperate zones, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea, are quite scarce. This paper describes sexual reproduction of the colonial coral Cladocora caespitosa from Veliko jezero (Mljet Island) in the Adriatic Sea. Spawned orange eggs and white sperm bundles were observed on the coral bank of C. caespitosa two nights before the full moon (20 June 2005) coinciding with increasing water temperature and correlated with the lunar cycle. Spawning was observed during five nights, involving about 30% of the colonies from the coral bank. Different colonies on the bank released only one type of gamete during the reproductive period. The diameter of the sperm bundles ranged from 100 to 200 μm (average 163 μm; SD = 47.08), while the female gametes diameter ranged from 300 to 500 μm (average 416 μm; SD = 73.12).