Drawing the Line at Neglected Marine Ecosystems: Ecology of Vermetid Reefs in a Changing Ocean

Meiofauna associated with vermetid reefs: the role of macroalgae in increasing habitat size and complexity

“…Vermetid reefs are intertidal bioconstructions, built up by gastropod molluscs of the genus Dendropoma in association with some coralline encrusting algae (Safriel 1966). These bioconstructions are of particular ecological and conservation interest because, with their broad and horizontal extension, they represent an amplification of the intertidal zone, supporting many microhabitats (Milazzo et al 2016). They have a structural role in modifying the shape and ecological characteristics (e.g.…”

“…They have a structural role in modifying the shape and ecological characteristics (e.g. limiting physical disturbances, regulating sediment transport, providing refuge from predation and nursery habitat) of the transitional area between mesolittoral and infralittoral rocky flats, creating more complex tridimensional structures and promoting marine biodiversity (Consoli et al 2008;Colombo et al 2013;Milazzo et al 2016). Vermetid reefs can be divided into three morphological zones along a horizontal axis, extending from the shore to the sea: (1) the inner margin, which corresponds to the terrestrial boundary; (2) the ''cuvette zone'', the central area of the reef with shallow pools named cuvettes located between the inner and the outer margins of the reef; and (3) the outer margin, the sea boundary of the reef (Molinier and Picard 1953;Chemello and Silenzi 2011).…”

“…Cuvettes hold water on the flat during low tide and periods of calm seas and are similar to tidal pools in the rocky shore environment (Little et al 2009;Colombo et al 2013). Cuvettes are host to macroalgae and encrusting organisms and represent a zone characterized by a high level of habitat complexity and biodiversity (Milazzo et al 2016).…”

“…Vermetid reefs along Sicilian coasts are characterized by several macroalgal species, the most dominant being: Palisada perforata, a red alga that is distributed uniformly along the reef; the brown algae Padina pavonica, Cystoseira spp. and Dictyota spp., mainly present in the ''cuvette zone'', where corallinales such as Jania rubens are also common (Milazzo et al 2016). The outer margin, a narrow upper infralittoral fringe, is characterized by Cystoseiradominated assemblages.…”

“…Vermetid tubes and reef crevices act as sediment and organic matter traps (Chemello and Silenzi 2011); macroalgae present on the reef have the effect of buffering against wave energy and increasing substrate complexity; therefore, they play an additional role in providing refuge and structure for benthic communities (Danovaro and Fraschetti 2002;Frame et al 2007;Milazzo et al 2016).…”