Differences in the growth cycle ofRuppia cirrhosa(Petagna) Grande in a Mediterranean shallow system

Abstract

Ruppia cirrhosa growth cycle was analysed in a southern Mediterranean shallow system throughout 1 year. We examined the temporal variation in R. cirrhosa cover percentage, shoot density, biomass, leaf length, no. flowers m 22 and no. fruits m 22 in two groups of pond characterized by differences in some environmental parameters. Ponds were comparable for salinity and temperature but they differed for other environmental parameters such as water depth, level of suspended organic matter and chlorophyll a (CHL a). Biological parameter values were higher in B ponds, characterized by lower values of water depth, suspended organic matter and CHL a. A seasonal trend for all considered biological parameters in both typologies of ponds with maximum values in summer was also observed. Moreover, differences were observed between the two groups of ponds in relation to the reproductive strategy adopted by the plant, with populations subjected to a higher organic input and a lower water depth displaying an annual cycle. Results showed how R. cirrhosa is able to resist and to adapt to variations in environmental conditions because of the plasticity and flexibility in the growth cycle and in the reproductive effort.

Hidden Hybridization and Habitat Differentiation in a Mediterranean Macrophyte, the Euryhaline Genus Ruppia

“…R. spiralis was mainly found in large semi-permanent ponds but also occasionally detected in the two temporary habitat types. Previous molecular and detailed ecological studies already revealed that R. spiralis has a strong preference for more permanent waterbodies, including some marine environments (Verhoeven, 1979;Mannino and Graziano, 2014;Triest and Sierens, 2014;Martínez-Garrido et al, 2017;Triest et al, 2018). However, several of the R. spiralis ponds detected in this study dry out regularly during late summer.…”

Lagoons and saltwater wetlands getting more diversity: A molecular approach reveals cryptic lineages of a euryhaline submerged macrophyte (Ruppia)

“…Clear explanations on the identity and ploidy of annual and perennial populations of R. cirrhosa (Mannino & Graziano, ) still remain unanswered. The data on chromosome numbers should be re‐evaluated in the context of evidence from nuclear microsatellite variation (Mannino et al, ) and take into account hybridization events whenever chloroplast capture can be detected.…”

Seasonal patterns of biodiversity in Mediterranean coastal lagoons

“…The study was carried out in Western Sicily (Southern Italy) in the “Stagnone di Marsala e Saline di Trapani e Paceco,” one of the most important coastal lagoon systems of central Mediterranean Sea, encompassing 25 water bodies and representing an important hot spot of biodiversity for the Mediterranean Sea (Mannino, ; Mannino & Graziano, ; Mannino & Sarà, ; Mazzola et al, ; Vizzini, Sarà, Mateo, & Mazzola, ). The site, recognized as Special Protection Area since 2005 (ITA010028, EU Birds Directive 79/409/EEC), lies on one of the most important migratory corridors and represents a stop‐over site for avifauna coming from Africa to Europe and vice versa (Figure ).…”