Distribution of the Mediterranean ribbed limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 along the Ligurian coast and implications for conservation actions

Abstract

Patella ferruginea is an endemic limpet of the Western Mediterranean Sea, presently considered the most threatened marine macroinvertebrate in the region and included in several international conservation directives. Its populations were widespread throughout the Western Mediterranean in the late Pleistocene (Tyrrhenian period), still largely distributed until the 19th century and presently confined into small populations in few restricted areas due to human harvesting for food and baits, construction of coastal infrastructures and the effects of seawater pollution. In particular, the species was reported as presently missing in the whole of the Italian continental coasts and measures are in progress to reintroduce the species through translocation and reproduction in controlled conditions along the Ligurian coasts (North-western Mediterranean).Recent surveys along the Ligurian coasts, performed to assess the most suitable sites for reintroduction, allowed the discovery of 32 specimens of this endemic limpet, considered disappeared in the area. These findings shed new light on the ability of natural dispersion of the species, the relevance of the measures set in place to restore the presently rarefied populations and provide hints for the selection and management of sites within the Natura 2000 Ecological network.

Filling gaps: closing the life cycle of the endangered Mediterranean limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 (Gastropoda, Patellidae)

“…All the above would indicate that the planktonic larval period of P. ferruginea could be extended enough to allow its dispersion over distances larger than initially thought (Templado et al, 2018;Ferranti et al, 2019). This would explain in part the genetic uniformity observed throughout most of its distribution range (Espinosa & Ozawa, 2006;Casu et al, 2012;Acevedo et al, 2018), with only some exceptions for local populations in some MPAs of Sardinia described by Cossu et al (2017).…”

“…There are relict populations or sparse specimens recorded in Corsica and Sardinia (Italy), the SE coast of Iberian peninsula (Andalusia and Murcia, Spain), Alboran Island, some north African localities like the Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera (Spain), several localities on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco (Al Hoceima National Park and other isolated coastal localities), and a few localities in France (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Levant Island) and Italy (Tuscan Archipelago; Egadi and Pantelleria islands in Sicily). Recently it has been recorded in Liguria, on the mainland of the north Italian peninsula (Ferranti et al, 2019).…”

Are there life‐history constraints on restoration of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in the northern Mediterranean Sea?

“…A synthesis of the current distribution of P. ferruginea is presented in Figure 1. It summarizes the work of Espinosa et al (2013) and Luque et al (2018) and is updated according to Ferranti et al (2019), including recent records from the 21st century.…”

“…Asterisk: location of the present study area. The map synthesizes the work of Espinosa et al (2013) and Luque et al (2018) and is updated according to Ferranti et al (2019) and contains only recent (21st century) observations…”

The endangered status of Patella ferruginea in a limpet assemblage hotspot (Plane Island: South West Alboran, Mediterranean Sea): Local distribution factors and species abundance

“…It is evident that Plane Island constitutes a hotspot for P. ferruginea, which is a refuge for this endangered species on the one hand, and potentially disperse and drive larvae of P. ferruginea to continent coast on the other. As indicated in Ferranti et al (2019) in Lugurian Sea, to be considered in order to understand the distribution of these species refers to the protection level of the island and the abbility of the continental zones to receive these larvae (current), ensure its recruitment (substratum quality), and especially guarantee its survival against human forces. Hence, the effectiveness of protected areas in guarding against the decline of ferruginous limpet population, by producing and dispersing larvae to ensure the continuous presence of continental specimens.…”