Preprint volume - SIBM

Pre-print Volume - Oral presentations
Topic 1: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE: CONTRIBUTING TO MANAGEMENT
studies were presented in a final open public assembly on the island with participation
of tourists and stakeholders. Data quality control was guaranteed by a scientific
steering committee of researchers and university professors that at the end of the
season had the commitment of refereeing study outputs and help scientific
dissemination in conferences and meetings.
Results - (1) Data from SVMP surveys conducted between July and September 2009
are reported. Monitoring in cave (Manarola) revealed the presence of Parazoanthus
axinellae (cover: 10-30%.m -2 ) from 1.5 to 3 m of depth on the southern walls,
Corallina comune covered the intertidal area (cover: 10-30 %.m -2 ) extended from the
entrance to 3 m within the cave, mainly on the southern wall. Two juveniles of Octopus
vulgaris (size: ~30 cm tentacles included) were found during the surveys. At the
entrance of the cave several individuals belonging to Ctenophora taxon (number: 20
indiv./5m 2 , distance: 100 ind.m -2 ) and Littorina sp. (>150 ind.m -2 )
were found on natural rock while lowest densities (30-50 ind.m -2 for both Balanus sp
and for Littorina sp.) were found on anthropogenic substrate (concrete walls). The
presence of Verrucaria (cover: 60-80 %.m -2 ) were also recorded on natural substrate
starting from 1 m above the sea-level. Surveys conducted along the coast from the
beach of Riomaggiore to Punta Montenero revealed the presence of Pelagia noctiluca
(3 indiv./5m 2 , distance: 2m), one Balistes carolinensis (size: >30 cm), 3 individuals of
Ephinepelus marginatus (size: 30-50 cm), 2 Dicentrarchus labrax (size: >30 cm), 2
Sparus aurata (size: 10-20 cm), 2 Muraena helena (size: 1 m), shoals of Lithognathus
mormyrus (number: 20, size: 10-20 cm), Diplodus sp. (number: >50/5 m 2 , size: 30-50
cm) and Oblada melanura (number: >50/ 5 m 2 , size: 10-20 cm). (2) For-Mare pilot
stage in Linosa Island provided original data on: a) distribution density and acclimation
status of the tropical Atlantic crab Percnon gibbesi, which has been found distributed
all along the 11 km littoral of the island from 0-4 m depth in a characteristic habitat
made of large boulders covered with coralline algae (Mesophyllum sp, Amphiroa sp.).
In these localities mean population density ranged from 30-50 ind. 10 m -2 . Maximum
density values were recorded in one locality, Casotto (Casotto–DDD= 35.855440N;
12.866664E; mean density=51±28 ind. 10 m); b) distribution and ecology of the
actinian Cereus pedunculatus. The species is found in a very restricted bathymetrical
range on the island (10-160 cm) with maximum densities reported in one locality,
Casotto (Casotto–DDD= 35.855440N;12.866664E; mean density=6±2 ind. m -2 ).
Biometrical comparisons (maximum diameter of the oral disc) between two
subpopulations (Casotto, Pozzolana di Ponente) revealed that significant (ANOVA;
p