Artificial Reef Programme in the Balearic Islands: Western Mediterranean Sea

Background The seamounts Ses Olives (SO), Ausias March (AM) and Emile Baudot (EB) at the Mallorca Channel (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean), are poorly explored areas containing rich and singular sponge communities. Previous works have shown a large heterogeneity of habitats, including rhodolith beds, rocky, gravel and sandy bottoms and steeped slopes. This diversity of habitats provides a great opportunity for improving the knowledge of the sponges from Mediterranean seamounts. Methods Sponges were collected during several surveys carried out by the Balearic Center of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography at the Mallorca Channel seamounts. Samples were obtained using a beam-trawl, rock dredge and remote operated vehicle. Additional samples were obtained from fishing grounds of the Balearic Islands continental shelf, using the sampling device GOC-73. Sponges were identified through the analysis of morphological and molecular characters. Results A total of 60 specimens were analyzed, from which we identified a total of 19 species. Three species and one genus are new to science: Foraminospongia balearica gen. nov. sp. nov., Foraminospongia minuta gen. nov. sp. nov. and Paratimea massutii sp. nov. Heteroxya cf. beauforti represents the first record of the genus Heteroxya in the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, this is the second report of Axinella spatula and Haliclona (Soestella) fimbriata since their description. Moreover, the species Petrosia (Petrosia) raphida, Calyx cf. tufa and Lanuginella pupa are reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. Petrosia (Strongylophora) vansoesti is reported here for the first time in the western Mediterranean Sea. Haliclona (S.) fimbriata is reported here for the first time in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Hemiasterella elongata is reported here for the second time in the Mediterranean Sea. The species Melonanchora emphysema, Rhabdobaris implicata, Polymastia polytylota, Dragmatella aberrans, Phakellia ventilabrum and Pseudotrachya hystrix are reported for first time off Balearic Islands. Following the Sponge Barcoding project goals, we have sequenced the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 28S ribosomal fragment (C1–D2 domains) for Foraminospongia balearica sp. nov., Foraminospongia minuta sp. nov., H. cf. beauforti and C. cf. tufa, and the COI for Paratimea massuti sp. nov. We also provide a phylogenetic analysis to discern the systematic location of Foraminospongia gen. nov., which, in accordance to skeletal complement, is placed in the Hymerhabdiidae family. A brief biogeographical discussion is provided for all these species, with emphasis on the sponge singularity of SO, AM and the EB seamounts and the implications for their future protection.

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Characterizing an anticyclone in Western Mediterranean Sea using altimetric data and an eddy tracker

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-5955 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cécile Pujol ◽

Aida Alvera-Azcárate ◽

Charles Troupin ◽

Alexander Barth ◽

Hugo Romanelli

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Anticyclonic Eddy ◽

Balearic Islands ◽

Sea Level Anomaly ◽

Entire Life ◽

Satellite Sst ◽

Western Mediterranean Sea ◽

Altimetric Data

<p>In April 2019, a large anticyclonic Eddy has formed in Western Mediterranean Sea between Sardinia and Balearic Islands. This anticyclone was observable with Sentinel-3 SST satellite data for 7 months and its diameter was estimated to 150 km. Although mesoscale anticyclones are quite common in this part of the Mediterranean Sea, such large and long-live eddies remain exceptional and repercussions for ocean-atmospheric exchanges and for biodiversity might be consequent. However, due to the increase of temperatures during summer, the satellite SST track of the eddy has been lost during a few weeks in August and September. Indeed, the SST signature of the eddy was not distinguishable from surrounding waters anymore. In order to track the eddy during its entire life and have a better understanding of its characteristics, sea level anomaly derived from altimetric data will be analysed in this study with the Py Eddy Tracker toolbox to investigate the variation of its position, its altimetry and its size. The distribution of other remarkable eddies in this zone and period will also be considered. Moreover, a high-resolution SST field will be reconstructed with DINEOF method so the comparison between eddy&#8217;s SST and altimetric characteristics will be assured.</p>

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A new approach using biomarkers to elucidate the regression state of the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia in waters around the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf13012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 64 (10) ◽

pp. 986 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Silvia Tejada ◽

Antoni Sureda

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Native Species ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Balearic Islands ◽

Antioxidant Enzyme Activities ◽

Caulerpa Taxifolia ◽

Western Mediterranean Sea ◽

And Function ◽

Invasive Alga

Invasive algae alter the structure and function of ecosystems. The green alga Caulerpa taxifolia is an invasive alga introduced in the Mediterranean Sea, whereas Caulerpa prolifera is a native species in Mediterranean waters. The aim of the current work was to determine the oxidative status of both Caulerpa species by means of biomarker measures as a possible indicator of the regression state of C. taxifolia in waters around the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean Sea). The levels of markers of lipid peroxidation, glutathione concentration, activities of antioxidant enzymes and caulerpenyne production were measured in C. prolifera and C. taxifolia fronds. The concentration of the end product of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, was significantly higher in C. taxifolia than in C. prolifera samples. Antioxidant enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, as well as the reduced glutathione : glutathione disulfide ratio were lower in C. taxifolia than in C. prolifera, although the concentrations of malondialdehyde were higher in the alien species. No differences were found in catalase activity or in the concentration of caulerpenyne. In conclusion, the invasive alga C. taxifolia presented a more oxidised status, which could be related to its regression in Mallorcan coastal waters.

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