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Giuliana Marletta

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (3): 0515-0530

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    The order Aplysiida (Gastropoda Heterobranchia) along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea, Mediterranean)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.3.515.530

    ABSTRACT
    In the present study, the species belonging to the order Aplysiida found from 2017 to 2021 along the central-eastern coast of Sicily are shown. For each species, data on morphology, abundance, location and depth, substrates and habitats, seasonality and further remarks are here provided. Through the present study, it appeared that a total of 9 species is present along the surveyed area. Of these, 2 species (Aplysia sp. 1, Aplysia sp. 2) are probably new findings for the Mediterranean Basin, while 1 species (Petalifera cf. petalifera) represents a new record for the investigated area. Through this study, it was also highlighted that along the central-eastern coast of Sicily, the most common species is Aplysia dactylomela, an allochthonous invasive species. Finally, the predatory activity of the polychaete Hermodice carunculata against the two aplysiid species, A. dactylomela and A. fasciata, was documented.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 13 (2): 0297-0320

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    The nudibranchs (Gastropoda Heterobranchia) of the central-eastern coast of Sicily, II: Suborder Doridina
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2022.13.2.297.320

    ABSTRACT
    Through the present study, new data on the biology and ecology of dorids along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Italy), whose knowledge was previously scant and fragmentary, have been here provided. After a brief description of this group of nudibranchs, for each species data on morphology, abundance, location and depth, substrates and habitats, seasonality and remarks are here given. Moreover, through this study, two species, Crimora papillata Alder et Hancock, 1862 and Geitodoris portmanni (Schmekel, 1972) are reported for the first time for the central-eastern coast of Sicily. This study highlighted that along this area there is almost the 28% of the total Mediterranean dorid fauna. Consequently, only through a continuous monitoring, it is possible to achieve a good knowledge of any group of marine heterobranchs in a given area.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (4): 1011-1026

    Giuliana Marletta
    Status of shallow Fucales (Ochrophyta) assemblages in the bay of Brucoli, eastern coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.4.1011.1026

    ABSTRACT
    The present study investigated the current status of the shallow Fucales assemblages of the bay of Brucoli, located along the eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). Moreover, since most of the studies on these habitat-forming species of this area were ancient, the obtained data were compared with historical data (literature and herbaria) to assess losses, to highlight the eventual sites of regression and identify the possible causes that should be removed. Through the sampling and identification in the laboratory, ten taxa, belonging to the genera Cystoseira, Ericaria, Gongolaria and Sargassum were found. During the sampling, four new species, never reported in the bay of Brucoli, were detected. Through this study, it was noticed that most of the Fucales are absent in the southwest coast and in the central sector of the bay, the most anthropized areas, while the area richest in species is the northeast coast. From this point of view, it would be important to improve the quality of water, and to encourage the conservation of the Fucales assemblages in this area.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (4): 0905-0912

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    Contribution to the knowledge of Pleurobranchus testudinarius Cantraine, 1835 (Gastropoda Pleurobranchida) along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.4.905.912

    ABSTRACT
    Pleurobranchus testudinarius Cantraine, 1835 (Gastropoda Pleurobranchida) is one of the largest and most conspicuous species of marine heterobranchs. However, although this species is a well-known at morphological level, little is known about its biology. Through continuous observations (from 2017 and 2020) conducted during morning scuba dives in some areas located along the central-eastern coast of Sicily, data relative to the egg masses of P. testudinarius were collected. Moreover, through occasional night dives, several adults were encountered and observed in their natural habitat. Through this study, it was noticed that: 1) P. testudinarius is a nocturnal species; 2) it lays exclusively in summer; 3) this species might have an annual or biennial life cycle; 4) it was documented that the polychaete Hermodice carunculata feeds on the egg masses of this pleurobranch; 5) probably at the end of its cycle, this species is subjected to attacks of predators.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (3): 0705-0718

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    The sacoglossans (Gastropoda Heterobranchia) of the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.3.705.718

    ABSTRACT
    The sacoglossans are a group of marine heterobranchs, distributed in tropical and temperate waters, which are specialised in sucking the cellular fluids of siphonal green algae and other macroalgae. In the present study all the species detected along the central-eastern coast of Sicily from 2017 to the beginning of 2021 are here reported. For each species, observations on morphology, abundance, location, depth, substrates, habitats, seasonality and further remarks were carried out. Through this research, it was highlighted that along the central-eastern coast of Sicily there is almost the 43% of all Mediterranean (including the Black Sea) sacoglossan species. Consequently, although this area is relatively small, it presents a high level of biodiversity regarding this group of gastropods.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (2): 0335-0343

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    Contribution to the knowledge of Bosellia mimetica Trinchese, 1891 (Gastropoda Sacoglossa) and its seasonality along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Ionian Sea)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.2.335.343

    ABSTRACT
    Bosellia mimetica Trinchese, 1891 is a sacoglossan which lives in close relationship with the green alga Halimeda tuna that represents its source of food and substrate. The name B. mimetica comes from the ability of this sea slug to perfectly mimic H. tuna. The aim of the present research was to achieve new knowledge on this species and its seasonality along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). Data on the seasonality of B. mimetica have been collected from 2018 to 2020 through underwater visual census with scuba dive. Through data collection, it has been observed that B. mimetica is mostly present in spring and summer and it declines from the end of summer to autumn. Occasionally, a few rare specimens have also been found during winter months. The factors which mostly seem to control B. mimetica’s seasonality could be the daylength and the temperature. Although this species shows anti-predatory cryptic and chemical defences, through data collection it has been observed that several B. mimetica specimens presented evident crescent-shape injuries resembling the bites on H. tuna. We believe that the most probable candidate as possible grazer of this seaweed is the parrotfish Sparisoma cretense. Consequently, S. cretense could involuntarily prey on B. mimetica when it rests on H. tuna.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 12 (1): 0245-0254

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    Observations on the dorid Peltodoris atromaculata Bergh, 1880 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia) along the central-eastern coast of Sicily, Ionian Sea
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2021.12.1.245.254

    ABSTRACT
    In the present study the seasonality and some biological aspects of the dorid nudibranch Peltodoris atromaculata Bergh, 1880 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia) have been investigated. In fact, in literature there is no accordance among authors regarding its life span: annual for some authors or biennial for others. However, there is a general agreement concerning its wide breeding-spawning period. Throughout four years of study (from 2017 to 2020), through underwater visual census in three areas located along the central-eastern coasts of Sicily (Italy), data on P. atromaculata’s populations were collected. The only site that allowed to develop a hypothesis on seasonality of this species was Catania. In fact, in this site it was observed that P. atromaculata is present all year round with a life span of a year and few months, with different generations which live simultaneously throughout the year. The reproductive period of this species is from February to August and population peaks are from May to September and from September to February. Moreover, it was demonstrated that this species, despite showing different defensive strategies, can be frequently attacked by predators. Therefore, the most typical scars and injuries encountered, have been described.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (4): 1045-1053

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    New data on the seasonality of Flabellina affinis (Gmelin, 1791) and Cratena peregrina (Gmelin, 1791) (Gastropoda Nudibranchia) in the Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.4.1045.1053

    ABSTRACT
    Flabellina affinis (Gmelin, 1791) and Cratena peregrina (Gmelin, 1791) are two common nudibranchs in the Mediterranean Sea. However, there are only a few studies on their seasonality which reported these species principally in summer and in well-lit shallow areas. Instead, through the present study carried out throughout three years (from 2017 to 2019) in three areas sited along the Ionian coast of Sicily (Italy), it has been observed that: 1) both species may be present in any season of the year with a high number of specimens; 2) F. affinis in the study areas is more competitive than C. peregrina; 3) both species showed a less photophilous lifestyle than that usually reported in literature, since in this study both species were found in a deeper bathymetric range; 4) F. affinis and C. peregrina could be considered warm-water species and their strong presence in cold seasons might be used as an indicator of the increase in the seawater temperature of the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (4): 0875-0878

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    First record of Aporodoris millegrana (Alder et Hancock, 1854) (Gastropoda Heterobranchia Nudibranchia) in the Ionian Sea, central Mediterranean Sea
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.4.875.878

    ABSTRACT
    The first record of Aporodoris millegrana (Alder et Hancock, 1854) (Gastropoda Heterobranchia Nudibranchia) in the Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean Sea) is here presented. This species was originally described for the British Isles and then, under different synonyms, was reported for the Atlantic coasts of France, Canary Islands, Madeira and the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Mediterranean Sea, this species has been only reported for different localities along the Catalan coast. This record is based on the finding of a A. millegrana specimen in a station along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). The individual was found under a stone at a depth of 6.4 m on a rocky seabed. In the last years, some Atlantic Nudiplera, which were never reported before, have been increasingly found in the Ionian Sea. In view of the rising water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic termophilic species could settle in new areas of the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that maybe A. millegrana, since is rare and with a sciaphilous behaviour, could be underestimated until now in the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (4): 0861-0870

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    The biodiversity of the marine Heterobranchia fauna along the central-eastern coast of Sicily, Ionian Sea
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.4.861.870

    ABSTRACT
    The first updated list of the marine Heterobranchia for the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Italy) is here reported. This study was carried out, through a total of 271 scuba dives, from 2017 to the beginning of 2020 in four sites located along the Ionian coasts of Sicily: Catania, Aci Trezza, Santa Maria La Scala and Santa Tecla. Through a photographic data collection, 95 taxa, representing 17.27% of all Mediterranean marine Heterobranchia, were reported. The order with the highest number of found species was that of Nudibranchia. Among the study areas, Catania, Santa Maria La Scala and Santa Tecla had not a remarkable difference in the number of species, while Aci Trezza had the lowest number of species. Moreover, among the 95 taxa, four species considered rare and six non-indigenous species have been recorded. Since the presence of a high diversity of sea slugs in a relatively small area, the central-eastern coast of Sicily could be considered a zone of high biodiversity for the marine Heterobranchia fauna.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (4): 0805-0806
    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    Antiopella cristata (Delle Chiaje, 1841) (Nudibranchia Janolidae)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.4.I.II
  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 631-638

    Andrea Lombardo, Giuliana Marletta & Giovanni Leonardi
    Seasonality of Edmundsella pedata (Montagu, 1816) (Nudibranchia Flabellinidae) along the Ionian coasts of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.631.638

    ABSTRACT
    This work explores the seasonality of Edmundsella pedata (Montagu, 1816) (Nudibranchia Flabellinidae) in three sites located along the central-eastern coast of Sicily (Italy). Since most of aeolidacean nudibranchs are subannual, it has been hypothesized that E. pedata is also a subannual species with several generations per year. Therefore, E. pedata’s trend was studied in the three study areas throughout three years (from 2017 to 2019). Through data collection, it was observed that this nudibranch is an opportunistic and subannual species, which in natural habitats, has an increase in autumn, a peak in winter and a decrease during spring and summer. Instead, in anthropized sites, it was not possible to define a real seasonality of E. pedata. In conclusion, throughout the three years, a strong increase in the number of E. pedata specimens in all study areas has been seen.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (2): 587-591

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    New records of Biuve fulvipunctata (Baba, 1938) (Gastropoda Cephalaspidea) and Taringa tritorquis Ortea, Perez et Llera, 1982 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia) in the Ionian coasts of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.2.587.591

    ABSTRACT
    In the present paper, two sea slug species, Biuve fulvipunctata (Baba, 1938) (Gastropoda Cephalaspidea) and Taringa tritorquis Ortea, Perez & Llera, 1982 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia), are reported for the second time in the Ionian coasts of Sicily (Italy). Biuve fulvipunctata is an Indo-West Pacific cefalaspidean, previously reported for Italian territorial waters only in Faro Lake (Messina, Sicily). Taringa tritorquis is a species originally described for Canary Islands and hitherto found in Sicily and probably in Madeira. Both species are easily identifiable for their characteristic external morphology. Indeed, B. fulvipunctata shows a W-shaped pattern of white pigment on the head, while T. tritorquis presents rhinophore and gill sheaths with spiculous tubercles crown-shaped and an orange-yellowish body coloring. Since B. fulvipuctata has been previously reported in Faro Lake, probably, the specimen reported in this note could have been taken in veliger stage through the Strait of Messina currents. Otherwise, the veliger has been carried attached to the keel of boats. Instead, it is still unclear if T. tritorquis could be a native or non-indigenous species of the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed, due to its small size and its sciaphilous behavior, it might be a rare species, overlooked until now.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 11 (1): 017-020

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    First record of Okenia problematica Pola, Paz-Sedano, Macali, Minchin, Marchini, Vitale, Licchelli et Crocetta, 2019 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia Goniodorididae) for Sicily (Ionian Sea, Italy)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2020.11.1.17.20

    ABSTRACT
    Okenia problematica Pola, Paz-Sedano, Macali, Minchin, Marchini, Vitale, Licchelli & Crocetta, 2019 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia Goniodorididae) is here reported for the first time for Sicily. The Mediterranean species of the genus Okenia Menke, 1830 have recently undergone a taxonomic revision that has reduced the number of species from eight to six because in the past some species were misidentified. For this reason, this new species was described for the Mediterranean. In this short paper, two specimens of this species were found in two nearby areas of Catania (Ionian coast of Sicily) that are strongly anthropized. Therefore, we believe that this species is tolerant to polluted waters.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (3): 275-278

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    A new Atlantic immigrant in the Mediterranean Sea: Pleurobranchus wirtzi Ortea, Moro et Caballer, 2014 (Gastropoda Pleurobranchida)
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.3.275.278

    ABSTRACT
    This report of Pleurobranchus wirtzi Ortea, Moro et Caballer, 2014 (Gastropoda Pleurobranchida Pleurobranchidae) here presented is the first record in the Sicilian waters and the first one in the Mediterranean Sea. Pleurobranchus wirtzi is a species only distributed in Canary islands, Madeira and Azores (Atlantic Ocean). Nowadays, it is still not known if this species is really taxonomically distinct from P. garciagomezi Cervera, Cattaneo-Vietti et Edmunds, 1996. However, the specimen found in Sicily is undoubtedly a non-native species in the Mediterranean Sea and therefore its possible naturalization could have negative effects on the indigenous marine ecosystem. In this work, we talk about the possible pattern of introduction in the Mediterranean Sea of this species and its questionable systematic status.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 10 (2): 147-150

    Andrea Lombardo & Giuliana Marletta
    Presence of the alien species Godiva quadricolor (Barnard, 1927) (Gastropoda Nudibranchia Facelinidae) along the coast of eastern Sicily
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2019.10.2.147.150

    ABSTRACT
    This work explores the second report of the alien nudibranch Godiva quadricolor (Barnard, 1927) (Gastropoda Nudibranchia Facelinidae) in eastern Sicily (Italy). Previously, this species has been found only in the area of Faro Lake (Messina), where now there is a significant population. The specimen here reported was sighted while diving in Santa Maria La Scala (Acireale, Catania) near a fresh water source. In fact, as it has been claimed by other authors, there is a strong correlation between this species and the brackish water areas. This work argues that this specimen has been brought to this area either by the Strait of Messina currents or by fishing boats, which dock at a small port in the study area. Since this is a species which easily adapts to different environmental conditions and feeds on other nudibranchs, G. quadricolor propagation could be a great threat to indigenous biodiversity.