scholarly journals Population genomic structure of the black coral Antipathella subpinnata in Mediterranean Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Terzin ◽  
Maria Grazia Paletta ◽  
Kenan Matterson ◽  
Martina Coppari ◽  
Giorgio Bavestrello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Impact ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Genomic Structure ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Northwestern Part ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Black Coral ◽  
Black Corals ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractAntipathella subpinnata(Ellis and Solander 1786) is one of the most frequently observed black corals at mesophotic depths (60–200 m) of the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in the northwestern part of the basin, where its populations can reach high densities and create forest-like aggregations, both along the coast and in offshore locations such as seamounts. Similar to other marine underwater forests, black coral gardens host a rich associated fauna and attract numerous species of commercial interest. As such, these corals are targeted by recreational and artisanal fisheries and are vulnerable to human impact due to their arborescent morphology and low growth rates. Genetic connectivity can provide valuable insight into the processes of population maintenance and replenishment following environmental disturbance and is often used as a proxy for population resilience. In our study, a restriction-site associated DNA analysis (2bRAD) was used to evaluate fine-scale population structure of the Mediterranean black coralA. subpinnata, and to understand which populations could serve as a potential source of genetic diversity for adjacent populations. Colonies from two offshore localities (a Ligurian seamount and a Tyrrhenian canyon) and four coastal populations from Liguria and Sicily were sampled and genotyped. Significant genetic differentiation was recorded between coastal and offshore localities. Moreover, offshore localities were genetically distinct from one another, while all coastal populations were characterized by panmixia. This indicates that offshoreA. subpinnatagardens are potentially less resilient to human impact (i.e., demersal fishing activities) due to a limited influx of larvae from adjacent habitats. In addition, they are unlikely to supply coral propagules to coastal populations. Overall, this study highlights the vulnerability of MediterraneanA. subpinnataforests, and the importance of enforcing conservation and management measures to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES, EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive) of these valuable marine ecosystems.

Phylogenetic relationships of Mediterranean black corals (Cnidaria : Anthozoa : Hexacorallia) and implications for classification within the order Antipatharia

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 1102 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bo ◽  
M. Barucca ◽  
M. A. Biscotti ◽  
M. R. Brugler ◽  
A. Canapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Coral Fauna ◽  
Black Coral ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Black Corals ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Its1 And Its2 Rdna ◽  
Its1 And Its2

The Mediterranean black coral fauna includes type species of four antipatharian genera belonging to four different families, therefore phylogenetic studies hold great potential for enhancing systematics within the order. The analysis of six Mediterranean antipatharian species by means of nuclear sequence data of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) rDNA confirms the separation into different families, as was previously noted on a morphological basis, with a clear distinction of the family Leiopathidae, whose position is supported by a unique number of mesenteries and lack of spines on thicker ramifications. The position of a newly recorded black coral species for the Mediterranean basin belonging to the genus Phanopathes is discussed. Antipathes dichotoma, the type species of the genus Antipathes, on which the order Antipatharia was based, does not group with other members of the family Antipathidae. Supporting a recent finding based on mitochondrial markers, this suggests a critical need for revision of the families that will be impacted by reassignment of this nomenclaturally important taxon.

scholarly journals Habitat suitability mapping of the black coral Leiopathes glaberrima to support conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lauria ◽  
D. Massi ◽  
F. Fiorentino ◽  
G. Milisenda ◽  
T. Cillari
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
Black Coral ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractThe black coral Leiopathes glaberrima is an important habitat forming species that supports benthic biodiversity. Due to its high sensitivity to fishing activities, it has been classified as indicator of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs). However, the information on its habitat selection and large-scale spatial distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is poor. In this study a thorough literature review on the occurrence of L. glaberrima across the Mediterranean Sea was undertaken. Predictive modelling was carried out to produce the first continuous map of L. glaberrima suitable habitat in the central sector of the Mediterranean Sea. MaxEnt modeling was used to predict L. glaberrima probability of presence as a function of seven environmental predictors (bathymetry, slope, aspect North–South and East–West, kinetic energy due to currents at the seabed, seabed habitat types and sea bottom temperature). Our results show that bathymetry, slope and aspect are the most important factors driving L. glaberrima spatial distribution, while in less extent the other environmental variables. This study adds relevant information on the spatial distribution of vulnerable deep water corals in relation to the environmental factors in the Mediterranean Sea. It provides an important background for marine spatial planning especially for prioritizing areas for the conservation of VMEs.

scholarly journals Correction to: Population genomic structure of the black coral Antipathella subpinnata in Mediterranean Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Terzin ◽  
Maria Grazia Paletta ◽  
Kenan Matterson ◽  
Martina Coppari ◽  
Giorgio Bavestrello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Structure ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Black Coral ◽  
Population Genomic

scholarly journals Mapping the impact of alien species on marine ecosystems: the Mediterranean Sea case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 694-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stelios Katsanevakis ◽  
Fernando Tempera ◽  
Heliana Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Impact

Fragmentation, re-attachment ability and growth rate of the Mediterranean black coral Antipathella subpinnata

Coral Reefs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Coppari ◽  
F. Mestice ◽  
F. Betti ◽  
G. Bavestrello ◽  
L. Castellano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Black Coral ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Attachment Ability

Marine ecosystems’ responses to climatic and anthropogenic forcings in the Mediterranean

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Durrieu de Madron ◽  
C. Guieu ◽  
R. Sempéré ◽  
P. Conan ◽  
D. Cossa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Anthropogenic Forcings

scholarly journals The spatial distribution of shallow-water (<150 m) black corals (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) in the Hawaiian Archipelago

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Hawaiian Archipelago ◽  
Black Coral ◽  
Ecological Features ◽  
Black Corals ◽  
Single Category ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Hard Substrates

The Hawaiian Archipelago contains some of the best surveyed black coral populations on the globe; however, most previous surveys have grouped all black coral species into a single category. As a result, the unique ecological features of individual species have not been identified. This study mapped the spatial distribution of eight antipatharian species (Antipathes griggi,Antipathes grandis,Cirrhipathescf.anguina,Stichopathes echinulata,Stichopathes?sp.,Aphanipathes verticillata,Acanthopathes undulataandMyriopathescf.ulex) found in shallow-waters (&lt;150 m) along the Hawaiian Archipelago, and compared data on substrate type, depth and temperature among species. All black coral species were exclusively recorded on hard substrates and were generally widely distributed along the Hawaiian Islands. Additionally, antipatharian species were found at overlapping depths and temperatures, although there were significant differences in the mean depths and temperatures between most species. In cases where species did not have significant differences in mean depths, the overlapping species had different colony and polyp morphologies, which may serve to minimize competition by allowing species to grow most efficiently under particular current regimes. This study represents one of the first to map the spatial distribution of sympatric antipatharian species, and indicates that individual species exploit unique environments in terms of depth and temperature or have unique morphologies to avoid overlap.

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