Sneaking into a Hotspot of Biodiversity: Coverage and Integrity of a Rhodolith Bed in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Habitat mapping, physical characteristics and benthic community of a rhodolith bed in the Pelagie Islands (Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea) were studied through Multi–Beam Echo–Sounder (MBES), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and grab samples. The geomorphological analysis revealed an articulated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marine science and engineering 2022-12, Vol.10 (12), p.1808
Main Authors: Maggio, Teresa, Perzia, Patrizia, Pazzini, Alfredo, Campagnuolo, Silvana, Falautano, Manuela, Mannino, Anna Maria, Allegra, Alessandro, Castriota, Luca
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Analysis
Aquatic crustaceans
Benthos
Benthos collecting devices
Biodiversity
Biological diversity
Coasts
community composition
Echoes
Fisheries management
Geomorphology
habitat mapping
Habitats
Inspection
Investigations
Lampedusa Island
macroalgae
Physical characteristics
Physical properties
Remotely operated vehicles
rhodolith morphotypes
Sediments
Software
Straits
Surveying
Taxa
Trawling
Underwater vehicles
Unmanned vehicles
Variability
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Summary:Habitat mapping, physical characteristics and benthic community of a rhodolith bed in the Pelagie Islands (Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea) were studied through Multi–Beam Echo–Sounder (MBES), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and grab samples. The geomorphological analysis revealed an articulated and wide rhodolith bed; video inspections highlighted a bed with high coverage, few sandy patches and with a prevalence of the boxwork morphotype. A total of 207 taxa with 876 specimens were identified, and Polychaeta was the dominant taxon. Linguimaera caesaris, a Lessepsian benthic amphipod, was recorded in all sampling sites, and its presence represents an input to deepen the benthic assemblage research on the rhodolith bed. In terms of morphotype composition, dead/live ratio and species variability, the bed variability indicated a good status of health, although trawling signs were detected through ROV videos. The present study broadens the knowledge on Mediterranean rhodolith beds and supports the importance of survey and monitoring activities for the conservation and management of this important habitat.
ISSN:2077-1312
2077-1312
DOI:10.3390/jmse10121808