Search Results (305)

The Levantine Basin is the first region of the Mediterranean Sea to be impacted by climate warming and the arrival of non-indigenous species (NIS) via the Suez Canal. Although Levantine zooplankton has been studied previously, recent datasets capable of detecting the occurrence of new taxa, or shifts in community composition, especially in the easternmost part of the basin, are lacking. The present study provides updated information on zooplankton composition from Tyre (South Lebanon). In this study, the occurrence of two copepod families (Canuellidae, Longipediidae) and the first regional record of Facetotecta (Y-nauplii) are reported for the first time in the Levantine Basin. Additionally, although six Calanoida species were recorded as new to the Lebanese fauna, none can be attributed to Lessepsian NIS. Full article

This study explored the occurrence, density, and distribution of Fucales along the island of Lampedusa, almost 30 years after the latest studies conducted on the marine vegetation of this island. To carry out this study, we conducted a monitoring activity in 18 sites through both scuba dives and snorkeling. During this study, a total of 13 species (three belonging to Cystoseira sensu strictu (s.s.), five to Ericaria, two to Gongolaria, and finally three to Sargassum) were observed. Nine species were previously reported, four taxa (E. brachycarpa, E. funkii, E. giacconei, and S. cf furcatum) were reported here for the first time in Lampedusa, and six species have not been found anymore. Ericaria giacconei may have always been present on Lampedusa Island, but it might have been misidentified in the past. The record on the island of Lampedusa extends the known distribution range of this species. The presence of S. cf furcatum, a non-indigenous species that is recently expanding in the Mediterranean Sea, could be considered further proof of ongoing seawater warming. In conclusion, we found that the predominant species’ association described in the past for the island of Lampedusa has remained unchanged in terms of species and biodiversity found in the studied sites. Nevertheless, we observed some changes in the Fucalean species, in particular a reduction in the canopy density values of some deep species. Therefore, we believe that the zonation pattern of the MPA should be revised, paying more attention to the conservation of fucalean species. Moreover, it will be important to manage and control the populations of the rabbitfishes, mitigating their impacts on the fucalean stands of the island. Full article

Herbaria, originally books of medicinal plants, became collections of dried plants after 1500, later extending to seaweeds and supporting taxonomy and systematics. Digitalization has made herbaria accessible, and advances in DNA sequencing have transformed them into valuable resources for genetic research. Label data, which include place and date of collection, make exsiccata essential tools for biogeographic studies and conservation strategies, helping map biodiversity and protect endangered species. The historical Pierpaoli herbarium (MBMP) houses 584 seaweed specimens collected from the Ionian and Adriatic seas between 1920 and 1965. It has been digitized within the NPRR Project ITINERIS and the DiSSCo infrastructure. Floristic changes in the Mar Piccolo over three periods (1920–2024) and the Mar Grande (1920–1992) were compared using herbarium specimens, papers, and recent data. Mar Piccolo’s flora over a century revealed significant changes. Many historical species disappeared, while new ones appeared, including 14 non-indigenous species. The biogeographical composition also shifted, with Cosmopolitan and Indo-Pacific elements increasing. In the Mar Grande, less than half the species were found again in 1992. Evidently, phytobenthic communities underwent noticeable changes over a century, highlighting the impact of environmental shifts. This confirms that Natural Science Collections are invaluable resources for understanding our planet’s biodiversity and history. Full article

The vegetation of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills and its ecosystem functions are often overlooked, despite their importance for enhancement and stabilization of biodiversity. The selected landfill is located in the cadastral area of Bystřice pod Hostýnem (Czech Republic). A total of 92 plant species were recorded during a two-year vegetation assessment at three sites of the MSW landfill. The species Lolium perenne, Arrhenatherum elatius, and Poa pratensis significantly dominated the restored parts of the landfill. The species Urtica dioica, Chelidonium majus, and Atriplex sagittata were dominant in the actively used parts of the landfill. Chenopodium album, Atriplex sagittata, and Amaranthus retroflexus were dominant in the composting zone. The vegetation of MSW landfills represents an ecologically important element with the ability to increase the biodiversity of the landscape. Nevertheless, there are also risks, e.g., the possibility of contamination of food chain with hazardous substances from waste. The spread of diaspores of certain species across the landscape and the spread of non-indigenous plant species can have negative ecological consequences. MSW landfills are often perceived only as technical facilities that solve the environmental problem of waste management. However, our results bring a new perspective on landfills as an environment for the biosphere. Full article

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has transformed marine biodiversity monitoring by allowing non-invasive, cost-effective detection of species with high resolution across diverse marine habitats. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Qatar University Library databases. Relevant peer-reviewed publications were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion criteria to ensure comprehensive coverage of studies. This review synthesizes advances in global and regional eDNA applications, emphasizing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which faces unique environmental extremes, high endemism, and significant data gaps. eDNA metabarcoding often outperforms traditional methods under comparable sampling effort to traditional surveys in detecting rare, cryptic, and invasive taxa, but technical challenges like incomplete reference databases, primer biases, PCR inhibitors, and inconsistent methodologies limit their effectiveness, particularly in understudied areas such as MENA. Recent developments, including multi-marker approaches, autonomous samplers, and next-generation sequencing, are enhancing detection precision and enabling broader, real-time monitoring. In the MENA region, early studies have revealed eDNA’s potential for habitat distinction, biogeographic research, pollution assessment, and the early discovery of non-indigenous species, although progress is hindered by gaps in reference libraries, infrastructure, and regulation. This review underscores the urgent need for regional collaboration, standardized protocols, and capacity-building. By integrating eDNA with traditional methods and leveraging emerging technologies, the MENA region can establish itself as a leader in marine biomonitoring under extreme environmental conditions, providing actionable insights for conservation and sustainable management of its unique marine ecosystems. Full article

Non-indigenous species represent a significant threat to marine biodiversity, and accurate taxonomic identification is critical for effective management. This study revisits the long-standing record of the Australian sea anemone Oulactis muscosa in Argentina, which has been cited in numerous studies for nearly 50 years. We conducted a comprehensive taxonomic revision of specimens from Mar del Plata, Argentina, using both morphological and molecular analyses. Our findings reveal a persistent taxonomic error: the specimens belong to a different species. Detailed morphological comparisons and genetic sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear markers re-identified the specimens as Anthopleura correae. This species is native to Brazil and is distributed from Ceará to Santa Catarina. This represents the first record of an Anthopleura species in Argentina, extending its known distribution. Genetic analyses confirmed the re-identification, showing no significant divergence between the Argentine and Brazilian specimens, while revealing notable differences from O. muscosa. We highlight the importance of rigorous taxonomic approaches integrating both morphological and molecular data to prevent misidentifications, which is particularly crucial when identifying potential invasive species. This study clarifies the taxonomic status of a regionally distributed species and contributes to the accurate inventory of sea anemones in Argentina. Full article

The Portuguese Atlantic continental coast serves as a biogeographic transition zone where numerous macroalgal species reach their distribution limits, making it an especially intriguing area for studying shifts in species distribution. This region features sandy beaches and rocky outcrops that serve as habitats for a diverse range of organisms, including macroalgae. This illustrated guide aims to provide a simple and accessible overview of some of the most representative macroalgae species found along this coastline, specifically those designed for non-specialists in seaweed identification. Rather than offering a detailed identification key, the guide introduces key aspects of macroalgae—such as pigment composition, taxonomic classification, morphology, branching types, habitat on rocky shores, and potential human uses—in a clear and approachable format. Each species is accompanied by a photographic image, a general morphological description, and information about its typical habitat. Additionally, icons indicate whether a species has potential human applications or is considered non-indigenous. Species are categorized into green, brown, or red macroalgae based on their color and morphological characteristics. Full article

Despite the oligotrophic conditions of the southeastern Levantine Sea and northern Red Sea, six lobster species—five slipper lobsters (Scyllaridae) and one spiny lobster (Palinuridae)—maintain permanent, reproducing populations in the study area. Additionally, there are isolated records of four other sporadic lobster species. In the southeastern Mediterranean, permanent species include the Mediterranean slipper lobster,Scyllarides latus, small European locust lobster, Scyllarus arctus, and pygmy locust lobster, Scyllarus pygmaeus. In the northern Red Sea, they include the clamkiller slipper lobster, Scyllarides tridacnophaga, Lewinsohn locust slipper lobster, Eduarctus lewinsohni, and pronghorn spiny lobster, Panulirus penicillatus. This review synthesizes current knowledge of their biology and ecology, including distribution, habitat, reproduction and development, feeding, predators and anti-predatory adaptations, behavior, sensory modalities, environmental impacts, threats, and conservation. Recent advances focus mainly on larger, commercially valuable species (S. latus, S. tridacnophaga, P. penicillatus), while major gaps remain for oceanic post-embryonic stages and the nektonic nisto postlarva, as well as for smaller, often cryptic species (S. arctus, S. pygmaeus, E. lewinsohni). Addressing these gaps will require targeted research, using modern methodologies, in coastal, deep, and open waters, coupled with citizen-science surveys. While many Indo-Pacific decapods have been established in the Mediterranean, no immigrant lobster species have successfully colonized Levant waters, despite rare records of three non-indigenous species (NIS). However potential NIS predators and shifts in mollusk compositions, the main prey of some native lobsters, may affect the latter. Large lobsters remain targeted by fisheries despite protective regulations, which are not always effective or obeyed. No-take marine protected areas (MPAs) or nature reserves can be effective if sufficiently large and well-managed. Habitat loss from marine construction can be partly compensated by stable, environmentally safe artificial reefs tailored to lobster behavioral ecology. The categories of the studied lobsters’ species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, last updated over fifteen years ago, should be re-evaluated. Full article

The spread of non-indigenous species (NIS) in the Mediterranean poses complex challenges for coastal fisheries, yet the perceptions and adaptive responses of small-scale fishers remain poorly understood. This study surveyed 70 professional fishers across Greek insular and mainland ports to assess fishers’ local ecological knowledge, awareness, and operational strategies related to eleven established marine NIS. Semi-structured interviews recorded demographic and effort profiles, recognition rates, perceived environmental and economic impacts, catch frequencies, gear damage, injury incidents, and behavioral changes. Fishers in the study area demonstrated high overall awareness (~95%), but variable recognition of less familiar taxa (e.g., bigfin reef squid, squirrelfish). Venomous and gear-damaging species (pufferfish, lionfish, rabbitfish) were predominantly viewed negatively, with significant reported gear losses (EUR 600–1345 yr⁻¹) and avoidance of high-incidence areas (25–30% of respondents). Conversely, commercially valuable NIS received more positive appraisals and are increasingly targeted. Spatial heterogeneity in perceptions and adaptations underscores the need for regionally tailored management that integrates fishers’ knowledge, promotes safe handling and selective exploitation of marketable NIS, and supports adaptive governance to mitigate ecological risks while enhancing socioeconomic resilience. Full article

The Kazakh horse is a highly valuable indigenous Chinese breed known for its use in both milk and meat production. However, the mechanisms underlying color variation in the abdominal adipose tissue of this breed remain poorly understood. In this study, the sequencing of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) was conducted on abdominal adipose tissue of different colors from Kazakh horses, with the aim of investigating the molecular mechanisms responsible for this variation. A total of 205 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELncRNAs) including ENSECAG00000003836, ENSECAG00000017858, and ENSECAG00000035167; 52 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRNAs) including miR-200-y and eca-miR-9a; and 559 differentially expressed circular RNAs (DEcircRNAs) including ZNF226 and ITPKC, were identified between Group W and Group Y. GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analyses of the DEGs revealed that these genes were primarily involved in biological processes such as chemical homeostasis (biological process, BP), intracellular components (cellular component, CC), and iron-sulfur cluster binding (molecular function, MF) as well as in metabolic pathways related to lipid biosynthesis and metabolism including vitamin B6 metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. The sequencing accuracy was further validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study identified key DEGs and signaling pathways associated with the color variation in adipose tissue of Kazakh horses and sheds light on the regulatory genes and biological processes involved. These findings provide a theoretical basis and research foundation for future studies on color variations in the adipose tissue of equine species. Full article

Amphistegina lobifera, a symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifera native to the Indo-Pacific, is expanding its distribution range in the Mediterranean Sea due to ysian migration through the Suez Canal. This study investigates the colonization dynamics and ecological impact of A. lobifera on Pantelleria Island, which is located in the Central Mediterranean. Nine samples were collected from various substrates at different depths (−4 to −20 m) and analysed for composition, abundance, and ecological diversity. Results reveal a significant dominance of A. lobifera, especially in shallow unvegetated substrates, with relative abundances exceeding 50%. Conversely, more vegetated substrates host more diverse and balanced assemblages. Diversity indices are consistently lower where A. lobifera is dominant, indicating reduced biodiversity. Comparison with similar studies in Malta, Linosa, and Corfu confirms a 20% relative abundance threshold for A. lobifera as indicative of potential ecological imbalance. The results suggest that it represents a growing threat to native microbenthic biodiversity and reinforce its usefulness as a bioindicator species. Pantelleria represents a key transition zone for monitoring the dynamics of invasive species in the Mediterranean, and this study highlights the urgent need for long-term surveillance of benthic biodiversity. Full article

The occurrence of the bigfin reef squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana, a Lessepsian migrant, is documented for the first time from the coastal waters off Malta, based on the collection of a single specimen reported through citizen science. The presence of this species in the broader Strait of Sicily region is further confirmed by a morphometric assessment and genetic analysis of another individual captured off the Pelagian island of Lampedusa. Molecular identification using mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA markers corroborates the taxonomic identification exercise as it aligns both specimens with Indo-Pacific clades of S. lessoniana. These records represent the first genetically verified occurrences of the species in both Maltese and Italian waters. The findings extend the known Mediterranean distribution of S. lessoniana, emphasizing the Strait of Sicily as an important monitoring region for Lessepsian migrants and highlighting the combined role of integrative taxonomy and citizen science in tracking non-indigenous species introductions. Full article

Over the past twenty years, significant efforts have been made to digitize natural collections. This process represents a crucial step in preserving and enhancing biodiversity data. In this context, the phycology team from the Institute for Water Research (CNR-IRSA) in Taranto (southern Italy), as a partner of the NRRP Project ITINERIS, and within the nascent European Research Infrastructure “Distributed System of Scientific Collections” (DiSSCo), answered to the challenge of digitizing and sharing the extensive biodiversity data preserved in the marine macrophyte collection Herbarium TAR. This herbarium includes over 500 species collected between 1982 and 2025. Digitization was carried out in accordance with international standards for imaging and in compliance with FAIR principles for metadata curation. A total of 353 digital specimens were produced, including 152 species of seaweeds (76 Rhodophyta, 47 Heterokontophyta, and 29 Chlorophyta) and 3 species of Spermatophyta. Notably, 15 non-indigenous species were documented. Part of the metadata, structured using the Darwin Core standard, has been published on GBIF. This initiative, carried out within the ITINERIS framework, highlights the value of both long-term biodiversity monitoring and digital data in supporting research on climate change, biological invasions, and the conservation of marine ecosystems. Full article

Background: Edentulism, or toothlessness, is a significant public health issue with profound implications for physical and systemic health, especially during pregnancy, when hormonal and behavioral changes increase the risk of oral diseases. Indigenous populations are particularly vulnerable due to socioeconomic and cultural factors that limit access to dental care. Methods: This pilot study assessed the oral microbiota of nine women, both pregnant and non-pregnant, aged 18–35 from the Salasaca indigenous community in Ecuador, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Samples were collected from dentin, saliva, and oral mucosa, and analyzed for alpha and beta diversity levels, taxonomic composition, and ecological metrics using the DADA2 pipeline and a canonical correspondence analysis. Results: Pregnant participants exhibited significantly lower microbial diversity compared to non-pregnant individuals, with notable differences in species richness and community structure. Dominant phyla included Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and Pseudomonadota. Prevotella sp., Neisseria sp., and Haemophilus sp. were among the prevalent genera, with the canonical correspondence analysis highlighting associations between microbial profiles and variables such as gestational status, marital status, and BMI. Conclusion: The findings suggest that pregnancy influences the oral microbiota composition, potentially predisposing women to dysbiosis and dental pathology. This study highlights the need for targeted oral health strategies during pregnancy and serves as a foundation for larger studies in underserved indigenous populations. Full article

Vibrio species are part of the indigenous microbial flora in marine, brackish and fresh water in moderate and tropical climates that thrive and multiply in water at elevated water temperatures. The number of human non-cholera Vibrio infections due to exposure to contaminated surface water increases worldwide. To study possible climate change-related changes in Vibrio concentrations, prevalent species, and risks of illness, water samples from coastal and inland water bodies in the Netherlands were tested in 2019–2021. Data were combined with data from previous studies in 2009–2012 in order to develop a regression model to predict current and future risks of Vibrio illness. Year-to-year and site-specific variations in Vibrio concentrations and water temperature were observed, but there was no trend of increasing Vibrio concentrations or water temperature over time. In 2019–2021, Vibrio species distribution had not changed since 2009–2012; V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were still the dominant species. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant effect of water temperature on Vibrio concentrations. The model predicted a concentration increase of a factor of 1.5 for each degree Celsius temperature increase. Predicted risks of illness were higher at higher water temperatures, and higher for children than for adults. Based on the most recent climate change scenarios for the Netherlands, the risks of Vibrio illness will increase with factors ranging from 1.6 to 7.6 in 2050 and 2100. These outcomes warrant adequate information about Vibrio risks to water managers, public health workers and the general public. Full article