Macrofaunal biodiversity associated with different developmental phases of a threatened Mediterranean Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) reef

Bonifazi, Andrea; Lezzi, Marco; Ventura, Daniele; Lisco, Stefania; Cardone, Frine; Gravina, Maria Flavia

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.02.009

Cited by 29 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…At Lido di Ostia, samplings were performed in two habitats at 3 m depth: on a continuous S. alveolata bioconstruction (SABEL), developing parallel to the shoreline [7], and on the surrounding At Lido di Ostia, samplings were performed in two habitats at 3 m depth: on a continuous S. alveolata bioconstruction (SABEL), developing parallel to the shoreline [7], and on the surrounding hard bottom (HARDB), represented by rocks very poorly covered by photophilic green and brown algae. The Sabellaria alveolata reef at Lido di Ostia reaches the greatest dimension among those reported in the Mediterranean Sea [44], and therefore can be used as a model for studies concerning the associated fauna.…”

Section: Study Area and Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of Mollusc Assemblages from Different Hard Bottom Habitats in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

et al. 2019

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Composition, trophic structure, and species-substrate relationships of molluscan assemblages inhabiting different hard bottom habitats (Sabellaria alveolata reef, photophilic bottoms, Phyllophora crispa sciaphilic assemblage, and coralligenous bioconstruction) were studied in two different sites of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In particular, molluscs from the Sabellaria alvevolata (Linnaeus, 1767) reef and coralligenous concretion were investigated, testing the hypothesis that bioconstructions increase the diversity and abundance of associated biota compared to the surrounding habitats. A total of 3134 individuals belonging to the classes of Polyplacophora (5 species, 24 individuals), Bivalvia (39 sp., 2734 ind.), and Gastropoda (53 sp., 376 ind.) were identified. These three taxonomic groups showed different distribution patterns in the studied habitats. Multivariate analyses revealed significant inter-habitat differences in the composition of mollusc assemblages, especially between bioconstructions and the other habitats. S. alveolata and coralligenous host the highest rich molluscan fauna when compared to the neighboring hard bottom habitats characterized by photophilic and sciaphilic assemblages. The first ones were dominated by bivalve suspension feeders, mainly represented by sessile and sedentary organisms, which act as bio-constructors, bio-eroders, or simply inhabit the several microhabitats provided by the bioconstructions, while the second ones host a rich molluscan fauna dominated by gastropod grazers and predators. The present study increases the comparative knowledge of molluscan assemblages inhabiting habitats of littoral plans of the Mediterranean Sea, providing pivotal information regarding biodiversity of coastal zones.

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Section: Study Area and Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Analysis of Mollusc Assemblages from Different Hard Bottom Habitats in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

et al. 2019

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“…Macrofaunal species richness and densities are six and 20-fold higher in S. alveolata reefs at this site [33,37]. In general, the benthic assemblages associated with the S. alveolata reefs are rich hard substrates fauna (i.e., sessile species such as bivalves, barnacles, other tube-building polychaetes) and poor in soft substrate fauna (i.e., mobile species, such as free-living polychaetes; [37,72]). Differences in reef architecture and status (i.e., ball-shaped, degraded, or platform) account for variation in macrofaunal assemblages [70].…”

Section: Reefs As Living Spacementioning

confidence: 86%

“…The largest of these formations is located in the Mont Saint-Michel Bay (France) with polychaete densities of up to 60,000 ind m 2 [70] and an extension of 300 ha [71]. In the Mediterranean sea (Ostia, Rome), a continuous reef flat covers about 48,000 m 2 and extends for almost 1 linear km parallel to the coastline, whereas the reefs and isolated concretions made by this polychaete occupy about 275,000 m 2 (mainly in the midlittoral-upper-infralittoral zone [72]). In England, reefs are more abundant in the south (English Channel) and west coasts, with records of isolated forms in the southeast and east coasts [73].…”

Section: Supply Of Substratementioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Reef-Building, Ecosystem Engineering Polychaetes in Shallow Water Ecosystems

Bruschetti

2019

Diversity

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Although the effect of ecosystem engineers in structuring communities is common in several systems, it is seldom as evident as in shallow marine soft-bottoms. These systems lack abiotic three-dimensional structures but host biogenic structures that play critical roles in controlling abiotic conditions and resources. Here I review how reef-building polychaetes (RBP) engineer their environment and affect habitat quality, thus regulating community structure, ecosystem functioning, and the provision of ecosystem services in shallow waters. The analysis focuses on different engineering mechanisms, such as hard substrate production, effects on hydrodynamics, and sediment transport, and impacts mediated by filter feeding and biodeposition. Finally, I deal with landscape-level topographic alteration by RBP. In conclusion, RBP have positive impacts on diversity and abundance of many species mediated by the structure of the reef. Additionally, by feeding on phytoplankton and decreasing water turbidity, RBP can control primary production, increase light penetration, and might alleviate the effects of eutrophication affecting supporting ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling. They can also modulate cultural ecosystem services by affecting recreational activities (e.g., negative impacts on boating and angling, increased value of sites as birdwatching sites). Acknowledging the multiplicity of synergistic and antagonistic effects of RBP on ecosystems and linking changes in habitat structure, filter-feeding activities, and biodeposition to ecosystem services are essential for effective decision-making regarding their management and restoration.

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“…An ecological and sedimentological survey was conducted to define the geometrical parameters of the entire bioconstruction. The ecological monitoring of bioconstructions concerned the evaluation of the relative abundances of both polychaetes and other taxa associated with the bioconstruction, through the comparison of the number of the species that inhabit the rocky bottoms and the sandy ones nearby (Bonifazi et al 2019). The sedimentological surveys focused on the observation of the physical state of the bioconstructions (area, thickness, depth reached, prevailing morphology, etc.…”

Section: Survey and Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sedimentary dynamics of Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy)

et al. 2020

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Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus 1767) is a polychaete able to build bioconstructions of different thickness, size and patchiness, in intertidal and subtidal environments. Its biological features have been the object of numerous studies worldwide. The worm reefs are formed by millions of tubes built by sand and shells (whole or in fragments) bonded together with a strong glue produced by the worm itself. Hence, Sabellaria alveolata represents a sedimentological asset for the coastal protection, since it contributes to create natural barriers against storm waves and erosion, and supplies the beach with new sandy deposits. This work shows a multidisciplinary approach to studying a bioconstruction of Sabellaria alveolata along the Latium coast (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy), proposing image analysis as a novel technique to investigate worm reefs, along with classical sedimentological/ ecological tools. The Sabellaria bioconstructions have been analysed at different scales of observation, suggesting the more appropriate strategies to develop a reliable model illustrating the different growth steps of these bioconstructions.

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Macrofaunal biodiversity associated with different developmental phases of a threatened Mediterranean Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) reef

Cited by 29 publications

References 32 publications

Comparative Analysis of Mollusc Assemblages from Different Hard Bottom Habitats in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

Comparative Analysis of Mollusc Assemblages from Different Hard Bottom Habitats in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

Role of Reef-Building, Ecosystem Engineering Polychaetes in Shallow Water Ecosystems

The sedimentary dynamics of Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy)

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