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Sponges are benthic filter-feeder invertebrates capable to produce a variety of high value bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, exploitation of sponges as bio-factories requires scalable and sustainable strategies to supply sponge biomass without threatening wild natural populations and to minimize the consumption of toxic organic solvents in metabolites extraction and purification procedures. Sponges farming in integrated facilities nearby fish mariculture cages represents a highly efficient strategy combining the production of sponge biomass with bioremediation. Here we report the results of the in situ rearing of the keratose sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus developed within three years in an innovative Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture system in the Gulf of Taranto (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), capable to supply large-scale sponge biomass with a minimal impact on wild populations. Moreover, we demonstrate the proof of concept that it is possible to produce polyprenyl hydroquinones, selected as well-known bioactive model metabolites, in good yields, high purity degree and low organic solvent consumption, by means of an innovative protocol based on the combination of supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction and gel permeation chromatography. Such a combination of eco-friendly techniques paves the way to eco-sustainable supply of bioactive compounds from marine organisms highly profitable in terms of working times, costs, solvents, and energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the first comprehensive data on a vermetid formation along the Apulian coast of the Adriatic Sea, representing one of the northernmost records in the Mediterranean. Surveys along the Brindisi coastline employed visual inspection to map the bioconstruction's distribution and extension. Detailed data on the bioconstruction inner and the outer edge length, thickness, width, slope and topographic complexity were collected at three selected sites. Moreover, photographic replicates were used to assess shell aperture density and diameters of Dendropoma sp. Associated fauna was studied using two quantitative sampling squares in each transect. The results showed that the vermetid bioconstruction consisted of a thin, encrusted monolayer (thickness < 1.5 cm) that extended for 3.273 linear kilometers, covering 17.23% of the investigated area; it had an average width of 0.5 m, with a mean density of Dendropoma sp. at 2.52 ind/cm2. The associated fauna was composed of 47 taxa dominated by crustaceans, mollusks and annelids. Species richness was correlated with the bioconstruction's thickness and complexity. These findings underline the ecological importance of vermetid bioconstructions as biodiversity hotspots. The lack of massive mortality events along the Apulian coast, in contrast to other Mediterranean vermetid bioconstructions, underscores the necessity for targeted conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seahorses are small sedentary fish considered flagship species of the conservation efforts. They are particularly vulnerable to human pressures because inhabiting threatened coastal ecosystems. Indeed, the worldwide decline of local populations in the last decades led to the inclusion of all seahorse species on the IUCN Red List, where most species, including Hippocampus guttulatus, were classified as ‘‘Data Deficient’’ on a global level due to the lack of relative data on several biological and ecological traits. Because of such sensitive conservation status, improvement of the current knowledge on the diet composition of wild animals and its differences among habitats could be of great importance as it could help understanding the way the environment is exploited. In the present study, we used a non-invasive DNA metabarcoding technique to further elucidate long-snouted seahorse diet and expand our understanding of prey choice among different habitats. We identified 24 families, 22 genera and 26 species, and according to the results, most of the seahorse samples contained taxa such as Amphipoda, Decapoda, Isopoda, and Mysida. Several non-native species were discovered in the diet, suggesting their dietary incorporation that could mirror high anthropogenic impacts and habitat modifications. We found significant differences in the diet composition among investigated habitats, thus indicating trophic flexibility of H. guttulatus among diverse habitats, a characteristic that may be essential for the resilience of this iconic yet sensitive species.

The taxonomic composition, structure, and distribution patterns of the macrobenthos associated with Corallium rubrum were studied along the coast of Taranto (Ionian Sea), together with the main features of their red coral population. Underwater video transects were performed by professional divers at three sites in correspondence with coralligenous formations at depths from 50 to 65 m. The results revealed a patchy distribution of red coral, with colonies predominantly located in cavities on sub-vertical cliffs and large boulders. Biometric analysis indicated that young colonies predominated at all sites, while older colonies were lacking, likely because of illegal harvesting. The lower density values were recorded at S1, while S2 and S3 presented higher values. A total of 76 taxa were recorded. S1, the shallowest site, showed a prevalence of calcareous algae, while S2 and S3 showed a greater abundance of filter-feeding invertebrates (Porifera and Cnidaria) with the highest presence of Porifera at S3. The results emphasize the heterogeneity of the macrobenthos together with the high vulnerability of the red coral population, highlighting the necessity of site-specific conservation strategies to contribute to the conservation and management of benthic ecosystems in the northern Ionian Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a data set on the biodiversity of Italian freshwaters, including lakeshores and riverbanks of natural (N=379: springs, streams and lakes) and artificial (N=11: fountains) sites. The data set belongs partly to the Italian Long Term Ecological Research network (LTER-Italy) and partly to LifeWatch, the European e-Science infrastructure for biodiversity and ecosystem research. The data included cover a time period corresponding to the last fifty years (1962-2014). They span a large number of taxa from prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes to vertebrates and plants, including taxa linked to the aquatic habitat in at least part of their life cycles (like immature stages of insects, amphibians, birds and vascular plants). The data set consists of 6463 occurrence data and distribution records for 1738 species. The complete data set is available in csv file format via the LifeWatch Service Centre.

Marine bioconstructions are complex habitats that represent a hotspot of biodiversity. Among Mediterranean bioconstructions, those thriving on mesophotic bottoms on southeastern Italian coasts are of particular interest due to their horizontal and vertical extension. In general, the communities that develop in the Mediterranean twilight zone encompassed within the first 30 m of depth are better known, while relatively few data are available on those at greater depths. By further investigating the diversity and structure of mesophotic bioconstructions in the southern Adriatic, we can improve our understanding of Mediterranean biodiversity while developing effective conservation strategies to preserve these habitats of particular interest. The dataset reported here comprises records of benthic marine taxa from algae and invertebrate mesophotic bioconstructions investigated at six sites along the southern Adriatic coast of Italy, at depths between approximately 25 and 65 m. The dataset contains a total of 1718 records, covering 11 phyla and 648 benthic taxa, of which 580 were recognized at the species level. These data could provide a reference point for further investigations with descriptive or management purposes, including the possible assessment of mesophotic bioconstructions as refuges for shallow-water species. Dataset: The dataset is submitted as a Supplementary File. Dataset License: CC-BY [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lindane is an organochlorine pesticide belonging to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that has been widely used to treat agricultural pests. It is of particular concern because of its toxicity, persistence and tendency to bioaccumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In this context, we assessed the role of bacteria associated with the sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis in lindane degradation. Seven bacteria isolates were characterized and identified. These isolates showed a remarkable capacity to utilize lindane as a sole carbon source leading to a percentage of residual lindane ranging from 3% to 13% after 12 days of incubation with the pesticide. The lindane metabolite, 1,3–6-pentachloro-cyclohexene, was identified as result of lindane degradation and determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The bacteria capable of lindane degradation were identified on the basis of the phenotypic characterization by morphological, biochemical and cultural tests, completed with 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and assigned to Mameliella phaeodactyli, Pseudovibrio ascidiaceicola, Oceanicaulis stylophorae, Ruegeria atlantica and to three new uncharacterized species. The results obtained are a prelude to the development of future strategies for the in situ bioremediation of lindane.