A Review of Rhodolith/Maerl Beds of the Italian Seas

Ingrassia, Michela; Pierdomenico, Martina; Casalbore, Daniele; Falese, F.; Chiocci, Francesco Latino

doi:10.3390/d15070859

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 59 publications

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“…Rhodoliths were found at depths beyond 100 m, and peak live rhodolith densities were recorded at depths of 78 m, which is slightly deeper than the 35-70 m at which Mediterranean rhodolith beds are commonly found (Basso et al, 2017), although beds at depths exceeding 100 m also occur in other places within the Mediterranean (e.g. Aguilar et al, 2009;Ingrassia et al, 2023;Valette-Sansevin et al, 2019) and elsewhere around the globe (e.g., Foster et al, 2013;Harvey et al, 2016;Littler et al, 1991).…”

Section: Habitat Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Tabone,

Knittweis,

Aguilar

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Rhodolith beds, including maerl, are structurally complex perennial habitats that support a high species diversity but are threatened by numerous human activities, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite their global ecological importance, increased research efforts are needed to facilitate development of effective measures to conserve these habitats. Two areas hosting rhodolith beds are known to occur off the coast of Malta (central Mediterranean), but only one has been previously studied. Through analysis of video footage collected from 56 different stations coupled with a desk study on human activities, the present study characterized the rhodolith bed located off the southeastern coast of Malta, including its extent, rhodolith morphotype composition, associated megabiota and impacts of anthropogenic activities thereon. The bed occurred at depths of 60–95 m and covered an area of approximately 200 km2, making it the second most extensive rhodolith area reported for the Mediterranean to date. It was dominated by spherical and branched rhodoliths whose cover reached a maximum of 74% but was more often <50%, similar to other Mediterranean rhodolith beds. A total of 84 different megafaunal species were recorded, suggesting that the diversity of megafauna associated with rhodolith bed habitats has been previously underestimated. A number of human activities, including extensive vessel anchoring and officially designated areas for aquaculture, bunkering and trawling, overlap with the mapped rhodolith distribution, highlighting the risk of habitat degradation. A holistic approach to the management of all the competing activities and interests relative to the southeastern coast of Malta that gives due consideration to this newly characterized rhodolith bed and the threats it faces is therefore recommended. The legal framework and policy recommendations for better conservation of rhodolith bed habitats in the Mediterranean and European Seas are also discussed.

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Section: Habitat Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Tabone,

Knittweis,

Aguilar

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Morphological insights into the three-dimensional complexity of rhodolith beds

Cabrito,

de Juan,

Hinz

et al. 2024

Mar Biol

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The ecological importance of rhodolith beds stems from their role as structurally complex three-dimensional habitat formed by free-living red calcareous algae. Their structural singularity is due to the great variety of complex and branching morphologies exhibited by rhodoliths that create interstitial spaces and increase their surface area. This increases the ecological niches for cryptofauna and provide refuge for a high number of organisms, which is why rhodolith beds are considered biodiversity hotspots. In this work, we studied a rhodolith bed located in the Menorca Channel, formed by several species of red calcareous algae that exhibit a great variety of morphologies and form an extensive and heterogeneous habitat. This study explored the morphological diversity of the rhodolith bed, comparing the ‘Core Habitat’ (within the center of the bed with the highest densities of rhodoliths) with the boundaries or ‘Adjacent Habitat’ where rhodolith density was lower. Our results show that all rhodolith growth forms (branched, pralines and boxwork) in the Core Habitat had higher interstitial space and were larger than the ones from adjacent zones. Moreover, we explored the three-dimensional techniques to study the morphological characteristics that have historically been studied in two dimensions. This study contributes to the knowledge of morphological diversity in well-preserved rhodolith beds from continental shelves in the western Mediterranean Sea and reinforces the use of three-dimensional measurements, specifically the interstitial space of branched rhodoliths, to provide more accurate data on habitat complexity.

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Mobility of the sea pen Pteroeides spinosum (Ellis, 1764) (Cnidaria: Scleralcionacea: Pennatuloidea)

Giusti,

Angiolillo,

Canese

et al. 2024

Mar. Biodivers.

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The sea pen Pteroeides griseum (Bohadsch, 1761), belonging to the order Scleralcyonacea (Cnidaria, Octocorallia), is a lesser-known anthozoan species well-adapted to inhabit soft seabed environments, particularly muddy or sandy substrates. Like other sea pens, it can grow in dense aggregations in both infra-and circalittoral zones, signi cantly enhancing the complexity and biodiversity of these habitats.Contrary to the prevailing notion that this species lacks the capability for active movement across the seabed, we present the rst recorded observation of rolling behaviour in a P. griseum colony, documented during a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) survey. In this survey, a colony assumed a wheellike shape, likely by in ating its body with seawater, initiating a rolling motion across the seabed, driven by the strong currents in the area. Without any apparent disturbance from the ROV, the colony covered a linear distance of approximately 7 m within a span of 4 minutes.This study documents the peculiar rolling behaviour exhibited by this species, underscoring the signi cance of this capacity in advancing our understanding of the species' biology and ecology.

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A Review of Rhodolith/Maerl Beds of the Italian Seas

Cited by 6 publications

References 59 publications

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Habitat characterization, anthropogenic impacts and conservation of rhodolith beds off southeastern Malta

Morphological insights into the three-dimensional complexity of rhodolith beds

Mobility of the sea pen Pteroeides spinosum (Ellis, 1764) (Cnidaria: Scleralcionacea: Pennatuloidea)

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