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International audience; New high-resolution relative sea-level (RSL) proxy data obtained from Lithophyllum rims in the Adriatic allow usto distinguish major local, regional and global RSL driving processes during the past two millennia. RSL changeon the Elafiti islands in the Dubrovnik archipelago (Southern Adriatic) has been significantly affected by local tectonic contributions, which vary spatially and increase southeastwards from Jakljan to Grebeni. Consequently, the RSL change on northwestward islands, Jakljan and ˇSipan, is still dominantly driven by linear regional glacioisostatic adjustment (GIA) processes estimated at ~0.34 mm/yr. However, GIA effects are occasionally cancelled out by local, non-linear coseismic uplifts of small magnitude and by variations in the global mean sea level (GMSL). Thus the rapid fall in GMSL of 0.26 mm/yr offset the GIA effects between approximately ~1000–1250 cal CE, resulting in temporal hiatuses in algal rim formation. After ~1800 cal CE, GIA rates were significantly amplified by GMSL rise, which exceed 0.9 mm/yr at Jakljan and ˇSipan and goes up to 1.4 mm/yr at Koloˇcep and Grebeni, confirming the acceleration of RSL rise over the past two hundred years.The new GMSL records from the northern and southern Adriatic, allow us to reconstruct the first highresolutionGMSL curve for the Adriatic. We show that GMSL variability is in-phase with solar activity during the last two millennia, acting on cycles of ~350, 220 and 100-yrs. We also show that increased GMSL fall, which stopped the formation of algal rims around ~1000 and ~1600 cal CE, coincides with the global reduction in radiative forcing associated with the Oort and Maunder minima, with a drop in sea surface temperature (SST) and with increased salinity. Thus, our analyses revealed a consistent periodicity between the Adriatic GMSL signal, solar forcing, SST and salinity, with the most important cycle being the 350-year Great Solar Cycle.

21 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, supporting information https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9740.-- Data Availability Statement: Raw RNA-seq data and mt-mutS sequences have been uploaded to NCBI's SRA (BioProject ID: PRJNA847883) and GenBank databases (Accessions numbers: ON804207-ON804214), respectively. Final sequence alignments and microsatellite data are available on DRYAD (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.r7sqv9sfm), The accurate delimitation of species boundaries in nonbilaterian marine taxa is notoriously difficult, with consequences for many studies in ecology and evolution. Anthozoans are a diverse group of key structural organisms worldwide, but the lack of reliable morphological characters and informative genetic markers hampers our ability to understand species diversification. We investigated population differentiation and species limits in Atlantic (Iberian Peninsula) and Mediterranean lineages of the octocoral genus Paramuricea previously identified as P. clavata. We used a diverse set of molecular markers (microsatellites, RNA-seq derived single-copy orthologues [SCO] and mt-mutS [mitochondrial barcode]) at 49 locations. Clear segregation of Atlantic and Mediterranean lineages was found with all markers. Species-tree estimations based on SCO strongly supported these two clades as distinct, recently diverged sister species with incomplete lineage sorting, P. cf. grayi and P. clavata, respectively. Furthermore, a second putative (or ongoing) speciation event was detected in the Atlantic between two P. cf. grayi color morphotypes (yellow and purple) using SCO and supported by microsatellites. While segregating P. cf. grayi lineages showed considerable geographic structure, dominating circalittoral communities in southern (yellow) and western (purple) Portugal, their occurrence in sympatry at some localities suggests a degree of reproductive isolation. Overall, our results show that previous molecular and morphological studies have underestimated species diversity in Paramuricea occurring in the Iberian Peninsula, which has important implications for conservation planning. Finally, our findings validate the usefulness of phylotranscriptomics for resolving evolutionary relationships in octocorals, This work was funded by program BIOMARES, a Pew Marine Fellowship, and FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology UIDB/04326/2020, UIDP/04326/2020, LA/P/0101/2020, PTDC/BIA-CBI/6515/2020; EU-BiodivERsA BiodivRestore-253 (FCT: DivRestore/0013/2020); EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (MERCES: Grant no. 689518); as well as the Inaqua Conservation Fund (Oceanário de Lisboa and National Geographic Channel) and National Geographic Society/Waitt Grant no. W153-11. This article is also a product of the French network on Marine Connectivity (GDR MarCo). M.C. was supported by postdoctoral fellowships of projects HABMAR (Grant no. MAR-01.04.02-FEAMP-0018) co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund of the Operational Program MAR 2020 for Portugal (Portugal 2020), and BiodivAMP (Grant no. FA_06_2017_045) financed by the Directorate-General for Sea Policy of the Ministry of Economy and Sea for Portugal under the Operational Program Fundo Azul. JBL was funded by assistant researcher contract framework of the RD Unit—UID/Multi/04423/2019 – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research—financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE2020—Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI) and national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). JB was funded by a FCT PhD scholarship SFRH/BD/72501/2010, With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

In micro tidal settings, processes of bioerosion and bioconstruction can lead to the development of distinct morphological features that define the modern shoreline. When such features are discovered above or below the present-day mean sea level, they reveal relative sea-level (RSL) change. Among the best sea-level indicators on rocky coasts are fixed biological and geomorphological markers – algal rims, Lithophaga lithophaga borehole upper limits, and tidal notches [1, 2]. For instance, the coralline alga Lithophyllum byssoides can build algal rims that are considered one of the most precise RSL markers along rocky coasts [3, 4]. Consequently, studying RSL markers on Lopud, Koločep and Grebeni two elevated palaeoshorelines have been distinguished. Their detailed survey allowed the distinction of seismotectonically uplifted sectors of the coast. The established high-resolution geochronology enables separation of coseismic uplift events from the periods of interseismic subsidence. Studying the local tectonic contribution to RSL change, we approach aspects of neotectonics and palaeoearthquakes offering new insights in a timetable (500 BC up to 1800 AD) where earthquake related data are either missing or incorporate high uncertainties, both regarding their epicentral localities and estimated magnitudes. Our reconstruction provides evidence on two successive major earthquakes which affected approximately 5 km of coasts in the Pelješac- Dubrovnik fault zone, with an uplift amplitude between 40 and 80 ± 15 cm per event (Fig. 1). The earlier, older events, caused larger displacements (60-80 cm), while the later, younger events, revealed on average lower displacements (40-55 cm) corresponding to the 1520 AD quake and the 1667 Dubrovnik earthquake [5, 6]. Here we demonstrate the importance of Lithophyllum rims in the studies of RSL change as they make creation of high-resolution geochronology possible. This new approach refers to algal rims as a possible tool for constraining palaeoseismic events, allowing to supplement the database of instrumental records and historical observations through field-based evidence. Furthermore, the study of algal rims, tidal notches and upper limits of L. lithophaga boreholes allow us to reconstruct the 2.6 ka evolution of Koločep and Grebeni islands and islets coasts, detect seismic events and demonstrate their effects, reconstruct the RSL changes at high resolution and finally distinguish the drivers of RSL change. As the southern part of the eastern Adriatic coast is the area of highest seismic risk in Croatia, the new obtained data will thus be essential for assessment of recurrence rates of the largest earthquakes that the main faults in the area can produce, as well as for understanding of the Late Holocene geodynamics.

Este artículo contiene 18 páginas, 4 figuras., Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and mass mortality events (MMEs) of marine organisms are one of their main ecological impacts. Here, we show that during the 2015–2019 period, the Mediterranean Sea has experienced exceptional thermal conditions resulting in the onset of five consecutive years of widespread MMEs across the basin. These MMEs affected thousands of kilometers of coastline from the surface to 45 m, across a range of marine habitats and taxa (50 taxa across 8 phyla). Significant relationships were found between the incidence of MMEs and the heat exposure associated with MHWs observed both at the surface and across depths. Our findings reveal that the Mediterranean Sea is experiencing an acceleration of the ecological impacts of MHWs which poses an unprecedented threat to its ecosystems' health and functioning. Overall, we show that increasing the resolution of empirical observation is critical to enhancing our ability to more effectively understand and manage the consequences of climate change., This paper was supported by Euromarine. Joaquim Garrabou acknowledges the funding by the “Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence” (CEX2019-000928-S), the MCIU/AEI/FEDER [HEATMED; RTI2018-095346-B-I00], Interreg-Med Programme MPA-Engage (1MED15_3.2_M2_337), the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Futuremares SEP-210597628). Nuria Teixido acknowledges the French National Research Agency (4Oceans-MOPGA grant, ANR-17-MPGA-0001) and internal funds from the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. Gil Rilov was supported by the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection. Hocein Bazairi, Free Spinosa, and Vasilis Gerovasileiou acknowledge the funding by the MAVA Fondation (MedKeyHabitats I Project) and the European Commission (Ecap-MED II Project; projects implemented by UNEP/MAP-RAC/SPA). Alfonso Ramos was supported the CIESM “Tropical Signals,” Stelios Katsanevakis and Maria Sini were supported by the Project “Coastal Environment Observatory and Risk Management in Island Regions AEGIS+” (MIS 5047038), implemented within the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” (NSRF 2014–2020), co-financed by the Hellenic Government (Ministry of Development and Investments) and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund), Stelios Katsanevakis, Maria Sini and Vasilis Gerovasileiou acknowledge the support of the MARISCA Project, co-funded by 85% by the EEA GRANTS, 2009–2014, and 15% by the Public Investments Programme (PIP) of the Hellenic Republic. Ivan Guala and Daniele Grech thanks thank the support of the project “Pinna nobilis—ricerca per la sopravvivenza: un'iniziativa di Citizen Science per tracciare la mortalità di massa di Pinna nobilis in Sardegna” project and the L/7 grant (CUP 87G17000070002) funded by the Regione Autonoma Sardegna. Jean-Baptiste Ledoux was funded by an assistant researcher contract framework of the RD Unit—UID/Multi/04423/2019—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research—financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE2020—Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI) and national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This research was supported by the Strategic Funding UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 through national funds provided by the FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the framework of the program PT2020. Bernat Hereu and Cristina Linares acknowledge the support of the long-term monitoring programme of the catalan Natural Parks, funded by the Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Cristina Linares acknowledges the support of the ICREA Academia programme. David Díaz acknowledges the support the research grant CTM2016-77027-R of the Programa Estatal de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad and Program of Marines Strategies of Spain funded by MITERD. Jamila Ben Soussi was partially funded by the Fondation Albert 2 Monaco (MIMOSA Project) and the Tropical Signals Program of CIESM. Giovanni Chimienti was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (PON 2014–2020, AIM 1807508–1, Linea 1), by the Ente Parco Nazionale del Gargano (Research agreement with CoNISMa N. 21/2018), and by the National Geographic Society (Grant EC-176R-18). Nathaniel Bensoussan acknowledges financial support from the European Commission through the programme “Caroline Herschell” in the context of the action “Developing Downstream applications and services on BIO-PHYsical characterization of the seascape for COASTal management” (BIOPHYCOAST). Monica Montefalcone and Annalissa Azzola collected some of their data on MMEs in the frame of the project “Mare Caldo” funded by Greenpeace Italy. Núria Marbà acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministries of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2012-32603, CGL2015-71809-P) and Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RTI2018-095441-B-C21). Diego K. Kersting acknowledges support by the postdoctoral fellowship programme Beatriu de Pinós funded by the Secretary of Universities and Research (Government of Catalonia) and the Horizon 2020 programme of research and innovation of the European Union under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 801370.

The relative sea-level (RSL) change is a sum of effects of processes acting on local, regional and global scales. By far the most variable component of RSL change relates to local, non-linear scale processes, that is to active tectonics. The studied islands and islets, Lopud, Koločep and Grebeni are part of Dubrovnik archipelago, situated near the external front of the Dinarides where seismicity attains one of the highest levels in Croatia. The focal mechanisms in the area show that reverse and transpressive faulting prevails.Studying the RSL markers: algal rims, tidal notches and Lithophaga lithophaga borehole upper limits, we identified one elevated palaeoshoreline at Lopud island (today 25-30 cm above the mean sea-level (MSL)) and two elevated palaeoshorelines at Koločep island and Grebeni islets (60-90 cm and 25-40 cm above MSL). The high-resolution geochronology built on radiocarbon dating of algal rims (77 sea-level index points) enabled the distinction of coseismic uplift events from subsidence periods during the last 3300 years. As a result, we provide new, field-based reconstruction of palaeoearthquakes, describe spatial patterns of differential uplift and distinguish the main drivers of RSL change.Two major seismically triggered uplift events with displacements between 40 and 80 ± 15 cm per event have been differentiated along investigated sectors of the coast related to the Pelješac-Dubrovnik fault zone pointing to repeated earthquakes of magnitudes exceeding Mw = 6.5. The earlier, older events, caused larger displacements (60-80 cm) related to 4th to 6th century AD and 750-1100 AD earthquakes, while the later, younger events, revealed on average lower displacements (40-55 cm) corresponding to the 1520 AD quake and the 1667 Dubrovnik earthquake. The cumulative offsets increase from around 0.57 ± 0.15 m at Lopud to 1.00-1.25 ± 0.15 m at Koločep and Grebeni.Interseismic periods allow further insight into regional and global driving mechanisms of RSL change. The distinction of local coseismic displacements of RSL history together with the previously obtained regional glacio- and hydro-isostatic adjustment estimates (between 0.30 and 0.34 mm/yr) allow us to approach the global contribution, which seems to be minimal between ~0 and 1800 cal AD as RSL changed at rates of 0.3 to 0.4 mm/yr. The increased rates of RSL change occurred prior to 0 cal AD, with rates of around 0.7 mm/yr, and go up to 1.4 mm/yr after 1800 cal AD.Overall, here we demonstrate the importance of Lithophyllum rims in the studies of RSL change as they make creation of high-resolution geochronology possible. Moreover, this new approach refers to algal rims as a possible tool for constraining palaeoseismic events, allowing to supplement the database of instrumental records and historical observations through field-based evidence. This research was supported by Croatian Science Foundation project HRZZ-IP-2019-04-9445 – Relative sea-level change and climate change along the eastern Adriatic coast – SEALeveL.

This study aims to discern the drivers of relative sea-level change at Lopud Island, distinguishing local tectonic from regional and global contributions. A detailed survey of sea-level markers (Lithophyllum rims and tidal notches) allowed the distinction of a seismotectonically uplifted sector, approximately 1 km in length, along the southern coast of Lopud Island (Southern Adriatic). The established high-resolution algal rim geochronology based on 23 radiocarbon dates enables distinction between the Late Holocene transgression periods and the seismically triggered regression events. Consequently, we distinguish here local tectonic uplift and provide the first reconstruction of the assumed number, timing, and displacements of past seismic events. The most important uplift of around 0.42 ± 0.10 m occurred in 1667 CE Dubrovnik earthquake while the earlier one of 0.15 ± 0.10 m, occurred probably between ~800 CE and ~ 1100 CE. The uplift of this coastal segment was also evidenced in tidal notches which are today ~0.25 ± 0.15 m above mean sea-level. After correction for local coseismic displacements, the sea-level trends with full consideration of the available uncertainty were quantified using an Errors-In-Variables Integrated Gaussian Process model. The rates of RSL change vary between 0.2 and 0.7 mm/yr, with a mean of 0.4 mm/yr. The possibility of removing the local non-linear contribution, allows comparison of the obtained RSL curve with different glacio-isostatic model predictions. The obtained field based RSL records correspond well with the K33_j1b_WS9_6 model of Lambeck et al. (2011) . By distinguishing local non-linear RSL drivers (coseismic movements) from regional and global scale drivers we estimated a glacio-isostatic adjustment rate of ~0.34 mm/yr and a global common contribution of around 20 cm between 3.3 ka and 0.15 ka. This high-resolution study allows us to better approach the driving mechanisms of RSL change, thus providing new insight into the late Holocene sea-level history of this seismotectonically active sector of the Adriatic. Furthermore, this study reveals the precision of Lithophyllum rims in the studies of relative sea-level changes and demonstrates their potential in assessing palaeoearthquakes.

Coralline algae are the most significant framework builders outside the coral-reef belt. Among them, littoral rims built by the coralline rhodophyte Lithophyllum byssoides are a particularly precise archive of relative sea-level histories in the microtidal environment. Their potential has been underutilized due to the unresolved question of the size of the marine radiocarbon reservoir effect (MRE), which is needed for accurate calibration of dates obtained from marine-derived carbon samples. Because this intertidal alga is submerged during high tide and exposed to the atmosphere during low tide there are questions regarding the source of the carbon it uses and the level of MRE. Consequently, here we provide the first direct evidence regarding the L. byssoides MRE based on samples of known age from museum collections. A total of eight samples of pre-bomb L. byssoides from the Mediterranean revealed a mean reservoir age R(t) of 336 ± 47 14C yr and a ΔR value of −28 ± 41 14C yr for the carbonate fractions. The MRE values obtained from the alga revealed them to be more homogeneous and generally lower compared to the Mediterranean shell MREs for the same period. However, the mean values (mean Mediterranean shells MRE 437 ± 115 14C yr, ΔR 100 ± 99) are statistically indistinguishable as they overlap statistically at 1 sigma due to the great dispersion of mollusc shell values. In 6 out of 9 L. byssoides samples significant 14C age differences between algal carbonate and organic fractions have been observed. The organic fractions revealed higher MRE values. The δ13C of organic matter in marine macroalgae L. byssoides collected from the natural environment ranged from −13.4‰ to −18.7‰ VPDB. The δ13C values of organic samples of L. byssoides from the Mediterranean and Atlantic showed homogeneous values within the species with a mean of −15.4‰, although the alga belongs to the phylum Rhodophyta where the variability is the highest. These δ13C values do not provide unequivocal indications on the source of the inorganic carbon (Ci) used by the alga, but slightly lower reservoir ages (R(t)) of the L. byssoides carbonate fractions in relation to Mediterranean mean shells MRE could point to minor partial uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere during emersion (up to 20%). This could not be statistically confirmed. Homogeneous values of L. byssoides δ13C in the Mediterranean might be related to sharp environmental conditions in the intertidal zone in which the species grew.

4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB 2018), 13-16 May 2018, Montreal, The temperate coralligenous bioconcretions are mainly built by the accumulation of encrusting coralline algae growing at low irradiance levels. They harbour approximately 10% of marine Mediterranean species (about 1600 species), including long-lived algae and invertebrates. Enhanced by climate change, several pressures affect coralligenous assemblages, leading to increased frequency of mass mortalities and dramatic loss of habitat complexity and biodiversity. The EU-funded project MERCES is developing innovative methodologies to restore macroinvertebrate habitat-forming species from three key taxonomic groups: Cnidaria/Anthozoa, Porifera/Demospongiae and Bryozoa. Restoration protocols are based on fragments/transplants from donor organisms and recruitment-enhancing devices. Collaboration with volunteers (divers and diving operators) in several phases of field activities proved crucial both to minimize underwater working time and to increase the sense of stewardship in a major users’ segment. Additionally, the MERCES project explores how to enhance restoration success by identifying the mechanisms conferring resistance to thermal stress in gorgonians. This is pursued by coupling thermotolerance experiments with next generation sequencing tools and facilitation processes (by comparing the outcomes of mono-specific vs. multi-specific transplanted assemblages). Results will be included in the strategic planning of restoration efforts in the Mediterranean in the context of global change

Finkel-Biskis-Reilly murine sarcoma virus (FBR- MuSV) ubiquitously expressed (FAU) gene is down-regulated in human prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Moreover, its dysregulation is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Sponges (Porifera) are animals without tissues which branched off first from the common ancestor of all metazoans. A large majority of genes implicated in human cancers have their homologues in the sponge genome. Our study suggests that FAU gene from the sponge Suberites domuncula reflects characteristics of the FAU gene from the metazoan ancestor, which have changed only slightly during the course of animal evolution. We found pro-apoptotic activity of sponge FAU protein. The same as its human homologue, sponge FAU increases apoptosis in human HEK293T cells. This indicates that the biological functions of FAU, usually associated with “higher” metazoans, particularly in cancer etiology, possess a biochemical background established early in metazoan evolution. The ancestor of all animals possibly possessed FAU protein with the structure and function similar to evolutionarily more recent versions of the protein, even before the appearance of true tissues and the origin of tumors and metastasis. It provides an opportunity to use pre-bilaterian animals as a simpler model for studying complex interactions in human cancerogenesis.

Radiocarbon analyses of 14 modern, pre-bomb marine organisms collected between AD 1836 and 1946 along the eastern Adriatic coast were performed. The14C ages of five algal and nine mollusk samples were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Marine14C reservoir ages (R) and regional offsets (ΔR) were calculated and compared. The marine reservoir ages of shells and algae significantly differ, even though both inhabit the hard substrate from the intertidal zone to shallow sea. Coralline algae had a considerably lower reservoir age (355 ± 3414C yr) and ΔR value (–9 ± 3414C yr) than mollusks (R 513 ± 5314C yr; ΔR 154 ± 5214C yr), though the variability of R was high in both groups. Although the microlocations of pre-bomb samples were not known and the studied mollusk species are able to inhabit marine or estuarine environments, it can be assumed that they were not significantly influenced by a freshwater admixture, due to their δ13C values being mostly in the marine range. However, as the entire eastern Adriatic is formed in carbonates, mollusk shells could be influenced by limestone-depleted14C. In examining new data together with previously published data, the marine reservoir effect (MRE) for the Adriatic area is estimated to be 424 ± 5714C yr (ΔR is 77 ± 5714C yr). Without mussel shells, the estimated MRE is 378 ± 4414C yr (ΔR is 28 ± 4514C yr). The presented values are comparable to the MREs and mean ΔRs obtained for the Mediterranean by other authors.

A new high-resolution relative sea-level (RSL) reconstruction is presented for the past 1500 years based on four bio-constructions formed by alga Lithophyllum byssoides (algal rims). Two algal structures have been studied on the southern (Premantura site) and two on the eastern Istrian coast (Uboka and Brsec sites) in the Northeastern Adriatic. The data from the algal rims (47 radiocarbon data points) enabled the distinction of four major phases of RSL change which corresponds to periods of climate change. RSL between AD 400 and 800 during the Dark Ages Cold Period (DACP), was almost stable. After AD 800, during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) the RSL increased up to ∼0.8 mm/yr. The following Little Ice Age period, (LIA) interval I (AD 1400 till 1600) is again characterised by RSL stability (RSL slowed down) which allows the rims at the southern coast to reach the width of ∼40–80 cm at their uppermost part and up to 20 cm for those along the eastern coast. Between AD ∼1600 and 1750, during the colder LIA II interval, algal rims do not form, as LIA II is assumed to be a period of RSL fall. Algal rims reveal that from the second part of the 19th century the RSL rose by 13–15 cm at the Premantura location and around 10 cm at the Brsec and Uboka areas, providing rates between 1 and 0.7 mm/yr respectively for the Current Warm Period (CWP). The sea-level trends were quantitatively defined using an Errors-In-Variables Integrated Gaussian Process (EIV-IGP) model, with full consideration of the available uncertainty. Following correction for the total land-level change (assumed to be around −0.4 mm/yr), four successive trends in sea-level change were confirmed. Sea-level dropped during the DACP at a mean rate of −0.4 mm/yr and increased to 0.5 mm/y as a consequence of Medieval warmth. Thereafter it was relatively stable during LIA I, fell up to −0.1 mm/yr during LIA II interval and has been slowly rising again during the CWP. Moreover, L. byssoides δ18O records show that these periods of sea-level changes are consistent with changes in temperature and thus with periods of rapid climate change.

The latest research on relative sea-level change along the eastern Adriatic has been cantered on algal rims build by Lithophyllum byssoides (FAIVRE et al., 2010 ; 2013). Such fossil bio-constructions have proven to be precise sea-level indicators in microtidal environments (LABOREL et al., 1994). However, this perfect relative sea-level marker is constrained by its marine radiocarbon reservoir age (MRE) which is not known. Previous research assumes that Lithophyllum does not appear to be subject to any kind of reservoir effect. Those assumptions were based on the datation of living thalli (LABOREL et al., 1994). Here, we provide evidence for the algal MRE based on algal samples of known age obtained from the Natural History Museums in Paris and Vienna and from the Universität Hamburg. The algae used for 14C dating were collected from AD 1858 to 1913 and represent the pre-bomb period. We applied radiocarbon dating of marine material with a known calendar date of death of the organism. This approach enables a comparison of contemporaneous atmospheric and marine radiocarbon ages. The deficiency in 14C content of the measured marine sample relative to the global atmospheric calibration curve is then used to calculate the "apparent age" of the material. We further used palaeo data from 10 Eastern Adriatic algal rims from which we obtained radiocarbon and stable isotope (δ180 and δ13C) records. Based on those records we provide several lines of evidence that the alga which lives in the intertidal zone has a lower marine radiocarbon reservoir age than the mean surface water MRE. On the other hand, shells (mytilid bivalves) from algal rims reveal higher reservoir ages than global means, similar to previously published data (FAIVRE et al., 2015). Furthermore, as living exclusively in the intertidal zone L. byssoides, could reflect long-term surface water MRE variations. Till now continuous marine 14C records have only been acquired from a limited number of biogenic calcifying archives. Currently, only sparse 14C data are available for the Mediterranean Sea in order to constrain the MRE with limited age ranges (SIANI et al., 2000, 2001 ; REIMER and MCCORMAC, 2002 ; MCCULLOCH et al., 2010 ; TISNÉRAT- LABORDE et al., 2013 ; FAIVRE et al., 2015). In this framework, several research lines on algal and shell MREs (shells inhabiting algal rims) have been initiated, which could together provide records on MRE variability throughout the 1.5 ka period. Our radiocarbon and stable isotope records over the last 1.5 ka from 10 algal rims revealed bimodal properties of the Adriatic surface water MRE. This research was supported by the Croatian Science Foundation (project no. HRZZ-IP-11-2013-1623, Reconstruction of the Quaternary environment in Croatia using isotope methods – REQUENCRIM) and by the University of Zagreb Supports for 2013 (no. 4.1.1.28), 2014 (no. IP2.4) and 2015 (no. IP003). We would also like to express our gratitude to the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, especially to Bruno de Reviers, for providing algal samples from its collections for this research. We also thank the Universität Hamburg, Biozentrum Klein Flottbek und Botanischer Garten, Dr Matthias Schultz (curator at Herbarium Hamburgense) as well as the Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien, Dr Anton Igersheim (Curator of the Cryptogamic Collection) both of which kindly provided samples without which this study could not be effectuated.

Gorgonians are habitat-forming octocorals dwelling in marine hard-bottom communities worldwide. In the Mediterranean, these slow-growing, long-lived species are increasingly threatened by disturbances such as destructive fishing practices, anchoring, uncontrolled and overfrequent diving, mucillagenous algal aggregates, algal invasions, and mass mortalities caused by anomalous seawater temperature increases. As a result, gorgonian forests are in decline and associated hard-bottoms are faced with the loss of structural complexity and iodiversity. Hence, the development of efficient restoration techniques is urgently needed. Based on previous experiences, transplantation of gorgonian fragments is considered as an appropriate method, due to its low impact on the donor colonies, generally high survival rates of transplants and ability to bypass sensitive early life stages. Studies to date confirm the feasibility of the method on the local spatial scale. Here we present details of the gorgonian transplantation, indicating required material and methods as well as the recommended size and density of ransplants. The proposed approach ensures fast and efficient fixation method, easily applicable by divers.

We present a new sea-level reconstruction for the past 1500 years based on biological indicators from the Central Adriatic islands. Biogenic littoral rims built by the coralline rhodophyte Lithophyllum byssoides were found on the particularly exposed sites on the rocky coasts of the islands of Vis, Ravnik and Bisevo in Croatia. The presence of thick and well-developed Lithophyllum rims, considered to be precise (± 10 cm) sea-level indicators, points directly to the rising sea-level environment. Biogenic rims were mapped, measured and sampled for 14C dating. The obtained results point to four phases of sea-level changes. The sea-level was near stable from around 550 till 770 cal AD, in the Dark Ages Cold Period (DACP), then during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) (770 till 1330 cal AD) the sea-level increased at a rate of 0.71 mm/yr. During the Little Ice Age (LIA) (1330 till 1640 cal AD) it was near stable again. Later, the sea-level started to rise at a much higher rate particularly during the Current Warm Period (CWP). These data were compared with local predictions derived from a glacio-hydro-isostatic models associated with the Last Glacial cycle. If the isostatic–eustatic component is separated, this area seems to have almost stable tectonic conditions during the past 1500 years. Our results show that the large algal rims most likely grew during near-stable sea-level conditions that occurred during two relatively colder periods in the past 1500 years. They also reveal that well-developed (up to 1.8 m wide) upper levels of algal rims were formed during ~ 300 years of stabilisation throughout the LIA.

The 2.4 ka shoreline evolution on the Island of Vis has been investigated. It represents a particularly interesting area for this kind of investigation due to the existence of the submerged archaeological remains, the antique port of Issa, as well as to the existence of geomorphological and biological sea-level markers. The actual depths of the different parts of the submerged quay have been mapped and measured with respect to the present mean sea-level, applying corrections for tide and atmospheric pressure values at the time of the surveys. The functional heights related to the sea level at the time of construction have also been taken into account. These data were further compared with predictions derived from a glacio-hydro-isostatic model associated with the Last Glacial cycle. During the investigation of the coast, tidal notches and algal rims were found. They were mapped, measured and correlated with results of the submerged port remains, as well as with other available data along the Croatian coast. Our results demonstrate a 199±25 cm sea-level change during 2.4 ka on the Island of Vis. Taking into account the total relative sea-level change, an average rate of around ~0.83 mm/yr is derived. If the isostatic-eustatic component is separated, a tectonic subsidence rate ranges between 0.17 and of 0.3 mm/yr depending on the predicted model used. Compared to the Northern Adriatic area, the Island of Vis shows a much smaller component of tectonic subsidence.

Due to specific geomorphologic characteristics of the Dalmatian coast type, formed primarily from karst limestone, Eastern Adriatic coast shows great diversity of habitats. This diversity is also influenced by the position of the Adriatic Basin, stretching from northwest to southeast, climatic differences along its length, and the direction of sea currents. Habitats in the submerged karst characteristic for the Croatian side of the Adriatic Sea are anchihaline caves, sea caves, cold sea caves and pits with bathyal elements, vruljas, karst estuaries, submerged river canyons, submerged tuffa barriers, marine lakes, and bare karst in the sea. Though sea caves, vruljas, coralligen, marine lakes, and Posidonia beds are today threatened by direct and indirect anthropogenic influences (pollution, eutrophication, tourism, nautical tourism, coastal development, aquaculture), only a few of these habitats have been declared as areas of special interest for conservation or as threatened habitats under the relevant international conventions. There are still too few targeted studies that could contribute to better understanding of these habitats and their levels of threat. Therefore, some of these specific and valuable habitats are in danger to be destroyed before they can be investigated (1). Sea caves, vruljas, and coralligen are quite inaccessible and, therefore, there is insufficient information on the organisms living there. The mechanisms how deep-sea organisms settle into cold-water sea caves and how they survive and reproduce in these caves are insufficiently investigated. All the ecological factors which result in such a large diversity of sponges in the semi-dark cave communities are also unknown. Preliminary research of anchihaline caves shows that it might be possible that karstification processes occur just beneath the sea surface (2). Marine lakes, ecologically separate from the surrounding sea due to limited contact, are very rare at the eastern Adriatic coast and, therefore, very threatened. The benthos of these lakes includes a small number of organisms that have very large populations, which is contrary to what we find in the surrounding sea. All the preliminary research has proven these habitats to be very interesting.

Pockmarks are crater-like depression on the seafloor associated with hydrocarbon ascent through muddy sediments in continental shelves around the world. In this study, we examine the diversity and distribution of benthic microbial communities at shallow-water pockmarks adjacent to the Middle Adriatic Ridge. We integrate microbial diversity data with characterization of local hydrocarbons concentrations and sediment geochemistry. Our results suggest these pockmarks are enriched in sedimentary hydrocarbons, and host a microbial community dominated by Bacteria, even in deeper sediment layers. Pockmark sediments showed higher prokaryotic abundance and biomass than surrounding sediments, potentially due to the increased availability of organic matter and higher concentrations of hydrocarbons linked to pockmark activity. Prokaryotic diversity analyses showed that the microbial communities of these shallow- water pockmarks are unique, and comprised phylotypes associated with the cycling of sulfur and nitrate compounds, as well as numerous know hydrocarbon degraders. Altogether, this study suggests that shallow-water pockmark habitats enhance the diversity of the benthic prokaryotic biosphere by providing specialized environmental niches.

The sponges Oopsacas minuta (Hexactinellida) and Asbestopluma hypogea (Demospongiae, Cladorhizidae) belong to groups that are typical of deep water, but both species have already been recorded from the shallow water Trois Pepes cave at La Ciotat (Marseille area). We here report on subsequent findings of A. hypogea in two other littoral caves: one at Garmenjak Island in the Middle Adriatic (Croatia), the other at Jarre Island (Marseille, France). The maximum temperatures experienced in situ by these populations are significantly higher than those from the deep Mediterranean Sea, but they are also up to 6°C higher than those reported for the Trois Pepes cave population, up to 23.1 °C in July 2002 for Garmenjak population and 22.8 °C in August 2004 for Jarre population (exposures from a few hours to a few days). The average summer temperature inside both caves remains several degrees lower than the outside temperature at the same depth. Long time survival of A. hypogea populations at the relatively high summer/autumn temperatures in both Jarre cave (4 years monitoring) and Garmenjak cave (5 years monitoring) indicates that the species can successfully colonise such shallow habitats in spite of its presumed deep-water origin. We also report of additional cave records of O. minuta from the Middle Adriatic (Croatia): at Hvar Island in the marine part of the Živa Voda anchialine cave, and from the marine caves at Iski Mrtovnjak, Lastovo and Fraskeric Islands. The wide distribution of this species in the deep Mediterranean is substantiated by a record on Santa Lucia Bank north of Corsica (303 m) and photographs taken by the submersible Cyana in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea (2912 m, 2845 m) and the Ionian Sea (2447 m). Possible colonisation patterns of littoral caves by both sponges are discussed.

The Croatian coastal karst abounds in submerged caves that host a variety of environmental conditions depending on the geomorphology, depth and submarine groundwater discharge. One example is the Y-Cave, a shallow, mostly submerged, horizontal cave on Dugi Otok Island, on the eastern Adriatic coast. This study was aimed at examining the temporal and spatial variability of the marine cave environment, including temperature, salinity, light intensity, cave morphology and hydrodynamism, along with the dissolutional effect caused by the mixing of sea and freshwater. The general distribution of organisms in the Y-Cave was positively correlated to the light gradient and reduced water circulation, thus the highest species diversity and abundance were recorded in the front part of the cave. The phylum Porifera was the most dominant group, and the poriferan species diversity in the cave ranks among the ten highest in the Mediterranean. The middle part of the cave, although completely dark, hosts an abundant population of the gastropod Homalopoma sanguineum and clusters of the gregarious brachiopod Novocrania anomala, whose presence could be connected to tidal hydrodynamics. The absence/scarcity of sessile marine organisms and pronounced corrosion marks at shallow depths inside the cave suggest a freshwater impact in the upper layers of the water column. A year long experiment with carbonate tablets revealed three different, independent ongoing processes affected by the position in the cave: bioaccumulation, dissolution and mechanical erosion. The results of long-term temperature readings also revealed water column stratification within the cave, which was not disturbed by either tidal or wave action. The shallow, partly submerged and relatively small Y-Cave is characterised by a suite of complex environmental conditions, which, together with the resulting distribution of organisms, are unique to this cave.

The Rijeka Bay coast is formed predominately in carbonate rocks. Due to relatively sheltered position, processes of bioerosion dominate while mechanical wave action has low impact. Biological zone limits in Rijeka Bay are well expressed and they reflect the local biological mean sea-level (BMSL). Therefore, they were used as referent levels for measurement of submerged tidal notch position. These in situ biological indicators could be more useful than sea-level mareograph data. Well developed tidal notches are permanently submerged and quite ubiquitous in the whole Rijeka Bay area, i.e. they are situated in the infralittoral zone. They have elongated, asymmetric shape. Since the roof top of the notches is well preserved, they were correlated with well defined biological zone limit (upper limit of white zone, WE sensu Schneider, 1976). Results of survey showed that in most of the area tidal notches are located 50 to 60 cm below BMSL. However, within the Bakar Bay notches are from 103 to 115 cm below BMSL. Regional occurrence of well preserved tidal notches at 0.5-0.6 m below BMSL indicates their possible coseismic origin (rapid tectonic subsidence). It is possible that this regional coseismic subsidence occurred in 4th century AD, which is simultaneous with the presumed uplift in the Eastern Mediterranean. Deeper positions of tidal notches in NE part of Rijeka Bay and within Bakar Bay indicate enhanced subsidence of that zone. This zone was assumed to be the most seismotectonicaly active within the larger area of shallow continental subduction

12 páginas, 5 figuras, 3 tablas., Gorgonians are important structuring species of the Mediterranean hard-bottom communities that are threatened by disturbances such as increasing seawater temperature, mucilaginous events and destructive fishing, among others. In this study we assessed for the first time the population structure and conservation status of one of the most common gorgonians in the Eastern Adriatic Sea, the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata. During late spring 2009, nine populations dwelling between 30 and 50 m depth were examined by SCUBA diving along 200 km of the Croatian coastline. The density ranged between 7 and 20 coloniesm 2 . The mean and maximum colony heights were 31.2 22.7 cm ( SD) and 138 cm, respectively. Two main patterns of P. clavata size frequency distributions were observed: the first one with a higher proportion of juveniles (~30%) observed mostly in the northernmost populations, and the second one with a higher proportion of larger colonies (>25% of colonies >40 cm in height). Regarding the disturbance impact level, the proportion of healthy colonies (with 60%) and the mean extent of injury (i.e. denuded axis or epibiosis) was 9.7 4% ( SD), indicating low impacts. Contrasting population size structures with high recruitment in mature populations provides new insights into the demographic structure of the Mediterranean gorgonian forests dwelling in their upper bathymetric range (, Part of the funding was provided by the Croatian Ministry of Culture through the grant allocated to Marine Explorers Society –“20,000 leagues” in 2009 and by the Croatian Ministry of Science and Education (project 119- 0362975-1226).

In the context of current global environmental changes, mapping and monitoring seagrass meadows have become highly important for management and preservation of coastal zone ecosystems. The purpose of this research was to determine the numerical precision of various cost-effective benthic habitat mapping techniques and their suitability for mapping and monitoring of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Croatian Adriatic. We selected ultra-high resolution aerial imagery, single-beam echo sounder (SBES) seabed classification system from Quester Tangent Co. (QTC), and surface based underwater videography as affordable, non-destructive and simple to use systems for data acquisition. The ultra-high resolution digital imagery was capable of detecting P. oceanica meadows up to 4m depth with 94% accuracy, from 4m to 12.5m depth the accuracy dropped to app. 76%, and from 12.5 to 20 m the system was only capable of distinguishing seabed biota from substrata, though with 97% accuracy. The results of the QTC system showed over 90% detection accuracy for Cymodocea nodosa covered seabed, excellent separation capabilities (>92%) of different sediment types (slightly gravelly sand, gravelly muddy sand and slightly gravelly muddy sand) and reasonable accuracy for mapping underwater vegetation regardless of the bathymetric span. The system proved incapable of separating P. oceanica from dense macroalgae on the same type of substratum. Surface-based underwater videography demonstrated great potential for estimating P. oceanica cover in a sampled region using either a single human rater or a computer estimate. The consistency between two human scorers in evaluating P. oceanica bottom coverage was near perfect (>98%) and high between digital and human scorers (80%). The results indicate that although the selected systems are suitable for mapping seagrasses, they all display limitations in either detection accuracy or spatial coverage, which leads to a conclusion that suitable system integration is essential for producing high quality seagrass spatial distribution maps.

In late summer and early autumn of 1989 benthic mortality in the upper part of Krka estuary extended from the Skradinski buk waterfalls to approximately 5 km downstream. Dead benthic organisms were found on the bottom at depths of up to 4.5 m. During August, a freshwater phytoplankton bloom was recorded in Visovac lake (which supplies the Skradinski buk waterfalls). The green tide in the lake was composed of up to 11.9 million cells. 1--1, predominantly of Synedra acus and Dinobtyon sertularia. At that time the maximal total inflow of phytoplankton cells through the waterfalls was approx. 0.41 S-I (38000 1. d-1). Cells of these two species died after reaching the salt wedge and the cummulative effect of their decomposition apparently caused an oxygen demand sufficient enough to trigger the benthic mortality. Due to the water mass dynamics, the spreading of mortality downstream was slow (from August to October, approx. 5 km). Certain benthic fishes (like Gobius sp.) were observed on the bottom of the affected area in mid-October 1989.

The Adriatic Sea can be considered as a large, mostly shallow embayment of the Mediterranean Sea. The latitudinal SE-NW extension of the Adriatic results in considerable climate differences along its coast. In this work we compiled the listof sponges from classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha recorded in the Adriatic up to now: we performed a thor-ough literature check and we added the results of our decade long research with a special emphasis on sponge fauna inmarine caves. All the records were assigned to the North, Middle or South Adriatic according to their geographic location,and the analysis showed a very high similarity among the sponge fauna of the 3 areas. The likeness between the N. andthe M. Adriatic is over 83 %, between the M. and the S. Adriatic over 76 % and between the N. and the S. Adriatic over66 %. Altogether 283 species of sponges from these two classes (our field data and literature survey) have been recordedin the whole Adriatic up to now, which is a considerably higher number than in previous reviews. Among the 125 speciesthat we found so far in our research along the Croatian coast, 77 were found in marine caves. We are still discovering spe-cies not previously found in the Adriatic Sea (especially from cryptic habitats) and here we report 15 new records for the Adriatic Sea, 9 of which were noted only in caves.

Fishing activities and other anthropogenic influences have direct and indirect effects on fish community structure. One expectation may be that with increasing fishing pressure and decreasing size selectivity of fisheries all predator populations decline and consequently fish assemblages change. Comparisons of MPAs with unprotected areas are considered valid natural experiments to test hypotheses on how predation structures communities. Here we report on the use of a lure-assisted visual census in the Central Croatian Adriatic to assess and compare fish assemblages in MPA sites (Kornati NP) with adjacent unprotected sites. We detected a significant protection effect on mesopredator abundance and overall fish diversity/richness and that protection status explained a significant portion of the fish assemblage variability, all independent of additional predictor variables, like habitat and depth. As we continue to expand the spatiotemporal scale and magnitude of the approach, we hope that it will eventually provide us with a long-term data series needed for testing many hypotheses in coastal ecology, including the effects of MPAs, coastal development, fishing and global climate change on the species interactions, abundance, diversity and assembly of animal species across multiple spatial scales., Ribolovne i druge antropogene aktivnosti izravno i neizravno utječu na sastav zajednica riba. Jedna od pretpostavki je da povećani ribolovni napor dovodi do smanjenja populacije predatorskih vrsta riba što dovodi do promjena u sastavu zajednica riba. Usporedba zaštićenih i nezaštićenih područja smatra se vjerodostojnom eksperimentalnom metodom za testiranje hipoteze na koji način struktura predatora utječe na zajednicu riba. Ovdje predstavljamo rezultate korištenja metode vizualnog cenzusa uz pomoć mamca na području srednjeg Jadrana kako bi procijenili i usporedili sastav zajednica riba u zaštićenom području (NP Kornati) i susjednim nezaštićenim područjima. Zabilježili smo značajan utjecaj zaštite na brojnost meso-predatora i na ukupnu raznolikost/brojnost riba kao i to da je zaštitom moguće objasniti značajan dio varijabilnosti u sastavu zajednica riba, neovisno o drugim faktorima poput tipa staništa ili dubine. Daljnjim proširivanjem naših istraživanja na prostornoj i vremenskoj skali, očekujemo da ćemo prikupiti vrijedne i dugotrajne podatke koji su potrebni kako bismo testirali mnoge pretpostavke u ekologiji priobalne zone, uključujući one o u utjecaju zaštićenih područja, razvoju obale, ribolovu, dostupnosti staništa te globalnim klimatskim promjenama na odnose među različitim vrstama, brojnost, raznolikost i sastav životinjskih vrsta na raznim prostornim skalama.

10 pages, 6 figures, Ongoing sea temperature increase threatens reefs worldwide. In this study we experimentally examined for the first time the response of the early life stages of a long-lived structural gorgonian, the Mediterranean species Paramuricea clavata (Risso 1826), to the highest summer temperature recorded so far in the study area (25°C; the Medes Islands, Northwestern Mediterranean). This temperature also simulates the end-of-century predicted warming (+3°C) over the temperature maxima recorded during the species’ reproductive period. The results showed a severe negative impact of constant thermal stress on the viability of P. clavata embryos and larvae, resulting in reduced survivorship, completely abnormal embryonic development and impaired metamorphosis. The deteriorating effect was rapid for embryos (after 7 h), whereas the impact on larvae became evident after 10 d of stress. Larval modifications started 7 d earlier under elevated temperature conditions, but the appearance of spherical, aberrant shapes prevented an assessment of whether metamorphosis was initiated but abnormal, or deterred altogether. The apparent higher sensitivity of embryos suggests that thermal stress during embryonic development may be the most critical factor for the viability of P. clavata larvae. In the context of an ongoing warming trend, the reduced viability of early life stages would jeopardize the persistence of P. clavata, which relies on successful recruitment for replenishment of its populations. Further research into the effects of thermal stress on the reproduction of structural invertebrate species and the viability of their early life stages will improve our understanding of the long-term consequences of environmental global change in marine benthic communities, We thank J. M. Fortuño for assistance with scanning electronic microscopy, the Medes Islands MPA Staff for their continuous support, and O. Ross and M. Buklijas Caleta for help in image editing. We further thank the 3 anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. S.K. acknowledges Research Fellowship 2009-11 from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Biorock project ref. CTM2009−08045), Juan de la Cierva and Ramon y Cajal contracts to C.L. and Beatriu de Pinós contract to N.T. This is a contribution from the Medrecover research group, funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan government)

Seagrass meadows have been hypothesized to protect mobile macrofauna from preda- tion by providing structural complexity that interferes with predator movement and vision. However, if ambush predators are common in seagrass, they may exclude many prey species, resulting in lower total abundance and diversity in seagrass relative to neighboring bare substrates, and segregation of predators and their prey into different habitats. We tested these abundance and diversity predictions using visual censuses of fish and invertebrates employing georeferenced videography to quantify habitat and pinpoint every observation, and using bait stations and drop nets over 38 km of scuba transects in all 4 seasons and by day and night in an enclosed estuary of the northeast Adriatic (Novi- grad Sea, Croatia). The primary fish predators at our study site were the ambush or stalk-attack predators, grass goby Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and European eel Anguilla anguilla, and we found that these species strongly preferred seagrass habitat. In contrast, most other fish, including small juveniles, avoided seagrass and preferred bare sediment to vegetated habitats. Species strongly pre- ferring seagrass were primarily sessile invertebrates not preyed on by the goby or eel. Both total macrofaunal density and total taxon richness were greatest on bare sediment and lowest in dense seagrass habitats. The 3-dimensional aspect of habitat structure was as important in delineating the communities as the presence or absence of habitat structure. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ambush predators reduce the value of seagrass habitat for their prey relative to neighboring bare sediment or rock; that structured habitat might carry a higher mortality risk for many prey species, and that neighboring unvegetated habitat, including bare sediment, can be at least as important as seagrass in harboring biodiversity.

There is a great challenge for marine ecologists to explain and map benthic marine habitats by developing new methods that identify and link environmental processes responsible for those map patterns. Methods that use single factors such as sediment type or water depth for predicting and explaining marine benthic habitats are generally inadequate when applied on a broad scale. Using a combination of factors such as near bottom velocity (tidal and wind induced), temperature and salinity fields in conjunction with sediment type and depth those habitats may be more clearly characterized. In the frame of the project “Mapping the habitats of the Republic of Croatia” (financed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning of the Republic of Croatia) specific oceanographic variables (sea bottom temperature, sea bottom salinity, sea bottom currents) have to be modelled as an input parameters for neural network models developed for spatial prediction of infralittoral habitat types. The physical model used in this study is based on a three-dimensional finite element method and unstructured grid. By running the model on the high resolution finite element mesh we were able to include the main features of the very complex East Adriatic coast, representing a domain with 77 islands and many narrow channels as well as varied bathymetry. To our knowledge, this study is making the first step in gaining better knowledge and understanding of the complicated relationships of specific bottom variables (model estimates), that are playing a key role for infralittoral habitat distributions, for the whole Adriatic Sea.

The karst areas in Croatia, part of the Dinarides, have been defined biospeleologically as an area of high biodiversity in world terms, covering 26 thousand km2 in all. In this monograph we give data about the biodiversity of subterranean habitats and their biota primarily from a taxonomic perspective with special attention being paid to regional diversity. The diversified geomorphology, hydrology and climate have resulted in a remarkable range of different underground habitats in Croatia, viz. inland and coastal caves, superficial and deep phreatic networks, interstitial – hyporheic substrates and other infiltration zones, etc. In Croatia more than 500 obligate subterranean species and subspecies are known from caves and interstitial habitats. The majority of subterranean species in Croatia are terrestrial biota. There are 299 troglobiont and 170 stygobiont taxa (species and subspecies) recorded. Most subterranean species have very restricted ranges, almost 70% of them endemic to Croatia. Cave fungi are poorly known. Among them there are several important parasitic troglobionts and troglophilic species on cave coleopterans and troglophilic moths in Croatian caves. Some saprotrophic species could be troglobiotic too but their taxonomic and/or ecological status must be clarified in future research. With a respect to the number of troglobionts, the five largest animal groups are Coleoptera, Pseudoscorpiones, Araneae, Gastropoda and Diplopoda. The beetles (Coleoptera) are predominant. More than 100 cavernicolous beetles (species and subspecies) are known in Croatia. Among stygobionts, the Crustacea predominate. At least half of species described are Crustacea. Among Crustacea, the orders Syncarida and Thermosbaenacea are exclusively stygobiotic. Numerically, among crustacean stygobiotic Amphipoda dominate in caves and Copepoda in interstitial habitats. The only known stygobiotic sponge Eunapius subterraneus Sket et Velikonja inhabits several caves in Croatia. Also, the only known stygobiotic clam Congeria kusceri Bole inhabits a series of caves in Croatia. Other important groups include hydrozoa, planarians (Temnocephalida and Tricladida), snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and the only European stygobiotic Chordata Proteus anguinus Laurenti. The high taxonomic diversity of the subterranean biota of Croatia can be attributed partly to the geographical heterogeneity and a rather unique combination of various geological and ecological phenomena., Krško područje Hrvatske ukupne površine 26 tisuća km2, s dijelom dinarskog krša, biospeleološki je određeno kao područje velike biološke raznolikosti u svijetu. U ovoj monografiji podastiru se podaci o biološkoj raznolikosti podzemnih staništa i organizama primarno s taksonomskog aspekta i s posebnim osvrtom na regionalnu raznolikost. Geomorfološka, hidrološka i klimatološka raznolikost Hrvatske rezultirala je osobitim rasponom različitih podzemnih staništa, kao što su kontinentalne i priobalne špilje, mreža plitke i duboke freatičke zone, intersticij – hiporeička zona i drugi tipovi infiltracijskih zona, itd. Iz špilja i intersticijskih staništa Hrvatske poznato je preko 500 obveznih podzemnih vrsta i podvrsta. Većina podzemnih vrsta u Hrvatskoj su kopneni organizmi. Utvrđeno je 299 troglobionata i 170 stigobionata. Većina podzemnih vrsta ima vrlo ograničeno područje rasprostranjenosti, gotovo 70% je endemno za Hrvatsku. Špiljske gljive su vrlo slabo poznate. Među njima je nekoliko troglobionata i troglofila koji su paraziti na špiljskim kornjašima i troglofilnim leptirima. Neke subtroglofilne vrste možda su također troglobiontske, no njihov taksonomski i/ili ekološki status morala bi razjasniti buduća istraživanja. U pogledu najveće brojnosti troglobionata, pet je velikih skupina životinja – Coleoptera, Pseudoscorpiones, Araneae, Gastropoda i Diplopoda. Kornjaši (Coleoptera) su najdominantniji. U Hrvatskoj je poznato više od 100 kavernikolnih kornjaša (vrsta i podvrsta). Među stigobiontima dominiraju raci. Gotovo polovica opisanih vrsta su iz skupine Crustacea. Među racima, skupina Syncarida i Thermosbaenacea su isključivi stigobionti. Brojčano gledano, među stigobiontskim racima skupina Amphipoda dominira u špiljama, a skupina Copepoda u intersticiju. Jedina do danas poznata stigobiontska spužva Eunapius subterraneus Sket et Velikonja nastanjuje nekoliko špilja u Hrvatskoj. Također jedini poznati stigobiontski školjkaš Congeria kusceri Bole nastanjuje niz špilja u Hrvatskoj. Ostale važne skupine su obrubnjaci, virnjaci (Temnocephalida i Tricladida), puževi (Gastropoda) i jedini poznati stigobiontski kralježnjak Proteus anguinus Laurenti. Velika taksonomska raznolikost podzemnih organizama Hrvatske pripisuje se djelomično geološkoj heterogenosti i posebno jedinstvenom spoju različitih geoloških i ekoloških pojava.

Microphytoplankton taxonomic composition and cell density distribution were investigated at three representative stations along the highly stratified Krka River estuary on the eastern Adriatic coast. Samples were collected at approximately monthly intervals from March 1988 to April 1989. One hundred thirty six taxa were determined by light microscopy: 108 marine species (1 chrysophyte, 5 prymnesiophytes, 55 diatoms, 1 euglenophyte, 46 dinoflagellates) and 28 freshwater species (1 chrysophyte, 21 diatoms, 1 dinoflagellate, 3 chlorophytes, 2 cyanophytes). The seasonal distribution of microphytoplankton cell densities is influenced by the freshwater inflow through the Krka River and the ecological properties of the karstic salt-wedge-stratified estuary. Anthropogenic influence is notable in the lower reach of the estuary, around Šibenik., U radu je prikazan taksonomski sastav i raspodjela gustoće stanica mikrofitoplanktona na tri reprezentativne postaje u visoko stratificiranom estuariju rijeke Krke. Uzorci su sakupljeni u mjesečnim intervalima od ožujka 1988. do travnja 1989. godine. Svjetlosnim je mikroskopom određeno stotinu trideset i šest mikrofitoplanktonskih vrsta: 108 morskih (1 krizoficeja, 5 primnezioficeja, 55 dijatomeja, 1 euglenoficeja, 46 dinoflagelata) i 28 slatkovodnih vrsta (1 krizoficeja, 21 dijatomeja, 1 dinoflagelat, 3 kloroficeje, 2 cijanoficeje). Na sezonsku raspodjelu gustoće stanica mikrofitoplanktona utječe dotok vode rijeke Krke i ekološki uvjeti u estuariju. Utjecaj čovjeka vidljiv je u donjem dijelu estuarija, oko Šibenika.

Cell transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. with Agrobacterium tumefaciens (LBA4404 strain) was performed in two ways: in vitro - by the transformation of root and stem explants - and inplanta - by the transformation of whole plants in the greenhouse. Agrobacterium contained the binary plasmid pBI121 or its constructs with the fragments of carrot DC-8 promoter. The results show that transformation efficiency in vitro is influenced by the age and type of explant. It was not possible to induce transgenic calli on explants of 5 week old Arabidopsis roots, although it was possible on explants of 3 week old roots. Although green calli grew on Arabidopsis stem explants, transgenic shoots did not develop. When using transformation in vitro, from seed to mature primary transformant it took 15 to 16 weeks and for in planta transformation it took 19 to 20 weeks., U radu je izvršena transformacija eksplantata korjenčica i stabljike (in vitro transformacija), te kompletnih biljaka (inplantet transformacija) uročnja- ka Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. bakterijom Agrobacterium tumefaciens, soj LBA4404. Bakterije su nosile binarni plazmid PBI121 ili njegove derivate s odsječcima promotora gena DC-8 iz mrkve. Rezultati su pokazali da starost i tip eksplantata utječe na uspješnost transformacije in vitro. Na eksplantatima 5 tjedana starih korjenčica uročnjaka nije bilo moguće potaknuti rast transgeničnog kalusa dok je to postignuto na eksplantatima 3 tjedna starih korjenčića. Također nije bilo moguće (iako se razvio transgenični kalus) potaknuti razvitak transgeničnih izdanaka na eksplantatima stabljike. Prilikom transformacije in vitro bilo je potrebno 15 do 16 tjedana od sjemenke do zrelog primarnog transformanta za razliku od in planta transformacije gdje je bilo potrebno 19 do 20 tjedana. U radu se diskutira o prednostima i nedostacima ove dvije metode transformacije.

Recent ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) exploration and bottom sampling in the southern Adriatic Sea (Apulian and Montenegrin margins) resulted in the discovery of cnidarian-rich deep-sea habitats in the depth range of ca. 400-700 m. In particular, ROV inspection of Montenegrin canyons reveals the existence of megabenthic communities dominated by a variety of cnidarians, including scleractinians (Madrepora oculata, Lophelia pertusa, Dendrophyllia cornigera), antipatharians (Leiopathes glaberrima) and gorgonians (Callogorgia verticillata) as major habitat forming taxa, often in association with sponges and, subordinately, serpulids. All such cnidarians are new records for the southeastern side of the Adriatic Sea. Our investigation indicates that an almost continuous belt of patchy cold water coral sites occurs along the entire southwestern margin (Apulian), basically connecting the Adriatic populations with those inhabiting the Ionian margin (Santa Maria di Leuca coral province).

Agrobacterium rhizogenes (wild-type strains 8196 and 15834) transformation of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) intact seedlings grown in vivo, and 6–8-day-old excised cotyledons cultured in axenic conditions was investigated. Transformed (hairy) roots were successfully induced only on the excised cotyledons with the strain 8196, while intact seedlings failed to form hairy roots with either of the two different bacterial strains. Axenic hairy-root cultures established on MS medium without hormones grew vigorously. Mannopine was detected in all transgenic root clones examined. The peroxidase activity in transformed roots was higher compared with normal roots. Electrophoretic analyses of soluble proteins and isoperoxidases showed substantial differences between transformed and normal pumpkin roots.

Potato (Solarium tuberosum L. cv. Desirée) tuber tissue was infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, strains: B6S3 (wild type), pGV2255 (rooty mutant), pGV2215 (shooty mutant) and with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (8196). Successful tumor induction was achieved by B6S3 (unorganised tumors) and by pGV2255 (rooty tumors). Transformed tuber cells were smaller than normal ones and free from starch. Transformation process caused a significant increase in peroxidase activity which can be taken as a tumorigenetic marker. Electrophoretic protein pattern showed that tumor cells stopped producing a polypeptide of about 40 kd, which was a storage protein dominant in normal tissue., Tkivo gomolja krumpira inficirale smo bakterijom Agrobacterium tumefaciens (sojevi: B6S3, pGV2215, pGV2255) i A. rhizogenes (8196). Uspješnu tumorsku transformaciju postigle smo divljim sojem (B6S3) i mutiranim (pGV2255) koji izaziva tumore s korijenom. Svjetlosnim mikroskopom mogle smo razlikovati normalne stanice od tumorskih. Tumorska transformacija odrazila se u porastu peroksidazne aktivnosti te stoga, ovaj enzim može poslužiti kao pokazatelj transformacijskih procesa. Elektroforetskim razdvajanjem topivih proteina u SDS-poliakrilamidnom gelu utvrdile smo da tumorske stanice prestaju sintetizirati proteinsku prugu na položaju koji odgovara molekularnoj težini od oko 40 kd.

Microphytoplankton taxonomic composition and cell density distribution were investigated at three representative stations along the highly stratified Krka river estuary on the eastern Adriatic coast. Samples were collected at approximately monthly intervals from March 1998 to April 1989. One hundred thirty six taxa were determined by light microscopy: 108 marine species (1 chrysophyte, 5 prymnesiophytes, 55 diatoms, 1 euglenophyte, 46 dinoflagellates) and 28 freshwater species (1 chrysophyte, 21 diatoms, 1 dinoflagellate, 3 chrysophytes, 2 cyanophytes). The seasonal distribution of microphytoplankton cell densitie is influenced by the freshwater inflow through the Krka River and the ecological properties of the karstic salt-wedge-stratified estuary. Anthropogenic influence is notable in the lower reach of the estuary, around Šibenik.

The projekt "Biodiversity in the Preservation in the Adriaic Sea" is created to promote apecial protection of selected areas. The network of specially protected areas (marine parks, fish reserves, special reserves etc.) in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea with strictly defined management regulation has an aim to preserve and to protect the biodiversity and to allow the natural renewal of bioresources, especially of economically important species. In the present preliminary research, the following main characteristics of the narine area of the island of Palgruža have been determinated: dimension and bathymetry ; physical paremeters: temperature, salinity, density, transparency and colour ; chemical parameters: concentration of nutrients, pH and oxygen concentration ; benthic bionomy: distribution and composition of benthic communities, and composition of coastal populations of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. The proper protocol for systematic protection includes a thorough inventory species, conditions and environmental impacts, the collection of monitoring data to track change and ongoing research into the dynamics of underwater communities. Priority concerning research and inclusion into specially protected areas should be extended to the open sea islands. The elaboration and implementation concepts of projects are thus highly compatible with the development - policy guidelines of national scientific-research programme nad National Island Development Strategy.

The karst areas in Croatia, part of the Dinarides, have been defined biospeleologically as an -ea of high biodiversity in world terms, covering 26 thousand km2 in all. In this monograph we ; :ue data about the biodiversity of subterranean habitats and their biota primarily from a taxo ~mic perspective with special attention being paid to regional diversity. The diversified geomor-:~.ology, hydrology and climate have resulted in a remarkable range of different underground hab:• , in Croatia, viz. inland and coastal caves, superficial and deep phreatic networks, interstitial ~ orheic substrates and other infiltration zones, etc. In Croatia more than 500 obligate subterra_an species and subspecies are known from caves and interstitial habitats. The majority of subter:• .~an species in Croatia are terrestrial biota. There are 299 troglobiont and 170 stygobiont taxa ~~ wies and subspecies) recorded. Most subterranean species have very restricted ranges, almost 70% of them endemic to Croatia. Cave fungi are poorly known. Among them there are several important parasitic troglobionts and troglophilic species on cave coleopterans and troglophilic moths in Croatian caves. Some saprotrophic species could be troglobiotic too but their taxonomic and/or ecological status must be clarified in future research. 4Vith a respect to the number of troglobionts, the five largest animal groups are Coleoptera, Pseudoscorpiones, Araneae, Gastropoda and Diplopoda. The beetles (Coleoptera) are predominant. More than 100 cavernicolous beetles (species and subspecies) are known in Croatia. Among stygobionts, the Crustacea predominate. At least half of species described are Crustacea. Among Crustacea, the orders Syncarida and Thermosbaenacea are exclusively stygobiotic. Numerically, among crustacean stygobiotic Amphipoda dominate in caves and Copepoda in interstitial habitats. The only known stygobiotic sponge Eunayius subterraneus Sket et Velikonja inhabits several caves in Croatia. Also, the only known stygobiotic clam Congeria kusceri Bole inhabits a series of caves in Croatia. Other important groups include hydrozoa, planarians (Temnocephalida and Tricladida), snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and the only European stygobiotic Chordata Proteus anguinus Laurenti. The high taxonomic diversity of the subterranean biota of Croatia can be attributed partly to the geographical heterogeneity and a rather unique combination of various geological and ecological phenomena.

Infralittoral and circalittoral hard bottom communities in the northern part of the Velebit Channel were investigated. The benthos was collected along six transects: three on Prvić Island (Šilo, Samonjin, Stražica) and three facing them along the Velebit mountain coast (Grmac, Žrnovnica, Kola). Three benthic biocoenoses were noted: the biocoenosis of photophylic algae, precoralligenous facies and a climax of coralligenous biocoenosis, and the biocoenosis of semi-dark caves. A total of 431 taxa were recorded: 60 taxa of algae and 371 taxa of fauna. Along the three coastal sults were compared using two statistical methods the application of the Sorensen index of similarity and cluster analysis. The most topographically and geomorphologically similar transects were Šilo and Samonjin, while Stražica and Žrnovnica were the most distant.

The influence of fulvic acid (FA) and poly(acryl acid) (PAA) on the electrokinetic potentials of model oxides, SiO_2, Al(OH)_3 and Al_2O_3 in 1x10-3 mol dm-3 NaCl solutions at constant pH of 6.5 was investigated. Amorphous SiO_2 shows no influence of FA. Al(OH)_3 shows a significant increase of the negative electrokinetic potential with increasing concentration of FA. For Al_2O_3 the reversal of charge occurs at approx. 4 mg dm-3 of FA in a steeply rising potential with a slope of cca. 60 mV/log c, towards high negative values. FT-IR spectrum of adsorbed fulvic acid on Al_2O_3 is characterized with a new band at 1385 cm-1 comparing to the FT-IR spectrum of pure aluminum oxide. After adsorption of polyacrylic acids, new bands at 1560 and 1323 cm-1 appeared in the FT-IR spectrum of Al_2O_3.