Preprint volume - SIBM

Pre-print Volume - Posters
BENTHOS COMMITEE
E. PORPORATO, M.C. MANGANO, F. DE DOMENICO, N. SPANÒ
Dip.to di Biologia Animale ed Ecologia Marina, Università di Messina, Salita Sperone, 31 - 98166 Messina, Italia.
eporporato@unime.it
DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAIN BIOCENOTIC COMPONENTS
OF THE GIARDINI NAXOS GULF (MEDITERRANEAN SEA)
DISTRIBUZIONE DELLE PRINCIPALI COMPONENTI BIOCENOTICHE
NEL GOLFO DI GIARDINI NAXOS (MAR MEDITERRANEO)
Abstract – In this paper the biocenotic map of the Giardini Naxos Gulf and its nearby (Strait of Messina) is
reported. Data were collected using exclusively non-destructive sampling methods. A heterogeneous area
probably due to the interaction of a lot of factors was highlighted.
Key-words: biocoenoses, benthos, GIS, Side Scan Sonar.
Introduction – The distribution of the main marine biocoenoses can play a
fundamental role in the conservation, monitoring and management of the coastal
marine environment (Somaschini et al., 1998; Diviacco et al., 2000; Piazzi et al.,
2000). In these contexts, the possibility to draw a bionomical map using non
destructive sampling methods is to considered preferable. This paper provides a
bionomical map of the benthic communities from the Giardini Naxos Gulf (Strait of
Messina).
Materials and methods – The survey was carried out in the Giardini Naxos Gulf and
its nearby (Strait of Messina, Mediterranean Sea) from 2 to 183 m of depth in the
framework of a regional project (SFOP 2004 - POR 2000-2006). Data were collected
by Side Scan Sonar (SSS) and by direct and indirect Visual census methods (Scuba
diving, ROV) and were put into a GIS to produce the cartography of the area.
Results – A map at 1:20.000 scales of the investigated area, reporting the main
biocenotic features, was produced (Fig. 1). The most part of the area consisted of soft
bottoms, mainly represented by muddy biodetritic bottoms (DE, Pérès and Picard,
1964), most abundant off the Gulf and at the deeper depths, and by SFBC biocoenoses
(sensu Pérès and Picard, 1964), well-represented into the Gulf, within 50 m of depth.
As shown in the figure, zones characterized by AP-HP, PE and VTC biocoenoses
(sensu Pérès and Picard, 1964) were also observed. Furthermore, the presence of wide
local aggregations of Pennatulaceans, Cidarids and Ditrupa arietina (O.F. Müller,
1776) (Annelida: Polychaeta) was recorded.
Conclusions – The studied area appeared considerably heterogeneous probably as a
consequence of the interaction of a lot of factors. In fact, the area is affected by strong
bottom currents, irregular continental input and abundant suspended particles captured
by suspension feeders which locally can reach high biomasses, as also witnessed by the
pennatulacean aggregations (AA.VV., 2007).
41 st S.I.B.M. CONGRESS Rapallo (GE), 7-11 June 2010
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