for the synthesis of resolvins, which are believed to play a key role in terminating inflammatory processes [Kohli & Levy, 2009]; moreover, they have benefi cial effects on other diseases, namely skin disease, asthma, arthritis, nephritis, lupus erythematous, multiple sclerosis, and certain types of cancers [Harris, 2010; Massaro et al., 2010]. PUFAs are infl uenced by taxonomic relations and environmental conditions and depend on species, nutrient habits, food availability and physiological conditions, so they differ for molluscs species that come from different geographical areas [Orban et al., 2007]. Minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and copper, are essential substances for organisms and for their vital functions and growth. In fact, minerals are important components of hormones and enzymes activated in human nutrition [Khan, 1992], and are involved in physiological processes in the body, the most important of which are pH maintenance, osmotic pressure, nerve conductance, muscle contraction and energy production. Zinc, for example, has different important biochemical functions, in particular as cofactor to more than 300 enzymes involved in DNA and RNA metabolism and stabilization of cell membranes [Beyersmann, 2002; Rink & Gabriel, 2000]. Unsuited dietary intakes of the minerals Ca, Mg, Na and K, either insuffi cient or excessive, can cause serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and hypertension. In general, the seafoods are excellent sources of Ca, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu and in particular, oysters are good sources of Fe, Zn, and Cu.

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This Collective Article presents information on 22 species belonging to 5 Phyla, arranged geographically from from west to east. The new records were found in 8 countries as follows: Spain: first record of the two scarcely known nemerteans Baseodiscus delineatus and Notospermus geniculatus in Formentera; Malta: second record of the alien fish Lagocephalus sceleratus; Italy: the alien polychaete Syllis pectinans and the isopod Paranthura japonica, as well as the cryptogenic opisthobranch Anteaeolidiella lurana, were found in the fouling assemblages along the docks of the port of Livorno. New decapod records are reported from Sicily (the alien Callinectes sapidus and the native Pachygrapsus maurus) and Apulia (Percnon gibbosus and Procambarus clarkii); the lesser amberjack Seriola fasciata extended its geographical range to the Egadi Isands and Siganus luridus was documented for the first time along the Ionian coasts of Apulia and Calabria. Slovenia: the first record of the alien bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis is reported, together with a survey of up to date Adriatic records. Greece: the first record of the gastropod Rhinoclavis kochi is reported from Gavdos island. In addition, two records of endangered and rare cartilaginous fish were reported, namely, the shark Hexanchus griseus and the ray Leucoraja fullonica, as well as additional records of Siganus luridus for Lesvos and Malleus regula and Fulvia fragilis from Astypalaia. Turkey: the black wing flyingfish Hirundichthys rondeletii is reported for the very first time from the Black Sea. Egypt: the Indo-Pacific crab Halimede ochtodes is reported as established in Port Said. In addition, biometric parameters and meristic counts are reported for Anthias anthias in Damietta. Cyprus: the alien opisthobranch gastropod Bursatella leachii is reported for first time.

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Extensive loss of macroalgal forests advocates for large-scale restoration interventions, to compensate habitat degradation and recover the associated ecological functions and services. Yet, restoration attempts have generally been limited to small spatial extensions, with the principal aim of developing efficient restoration techniques. Here, the success of outplanting Cystoseira amentacea v. stricta germlings cultured in aquaria was experimentally explored at a scale of tens of kms, by means of a multifactorial experimental design. In the intertidal rocky shores of SE Italy, locations with a continuous distribution for hundreds of meters or with few thalli forming patches of few centimeters of C. amentacea canopy were selected. In each location, the effects of adult conspecifics and the exclusion of macrograzers (salema fish and sea urchins) on the survival of germlings were tested. We evaluated the most critical determinants of mortality for germlings, including the overlooked pressure of mesograzers (e.g. amphipods, small mollusks, polychaetes). Despite the high mortality observed during outplanting and early settlement stages, survival of C. amentacea germlings was consistently favored by the exclusion of macrograzers, while the presence of adult conspecifics had no effects. In addition, the cost analysis of the interventions showed the feasibility of the ex-situ method, representing an essential tool for preserving Cystoseira forests. Large scale restoration is possible but requires baseline information with an in-depth knowledge of the species ecology and of the areas to be restored, together with the development of specific cultivation protocols to make consistently efficient restoration interventions.