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Salvatore Giacobbe

  • Biodiversity Journal, 7 (2): 257-260

    Salvatore Giacobbe & Antonio Di Bella
    About the wide Mediterranean distribution of the “geographically localized” Clelandella myriamae (Gofas, 2005) (Gastropoda Trochidae)

    ABSTRACT
    Almost one thousands of empty shells recognized as Clelandella myriamae (Gofas, 2005) (Gastropoda Trochidae) have been collected from the Gioia Basin (South Tyrrhenian) and, in minor number, from the Strait of Messina. The records remarkably increase the areal known for this bathyal species, previous known only from Levantine Basin.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 7 (1): 059-066 - MONOGRAPH

    Carlo Smriglio, Paolo Mariottini & Salvatore Giacobbe
    Jujubinus errinae n. sp. (Gastropoda Trochidae) from the Strait of Messina, Mediterranean Sea

    ABSTRACT
    A new species of the gastropod family Trochidae, Jujubinus errinae n. sp., from the Mediterranean Sea is described based on shell characters. The new taxon was compared with the most closely related species showing marked sculpture and from relatively deep water habitat, J. catenatus Ardovini, 2006, J. montagui (Wood, 1828) and J. tumidulus (Aradas, 1846). The species, which is known from the type locality only, the Strait of Messina, might be strictly associated to the endemic hydrocoral Errina aspera (Linnaeus, 1767) beds (Hydrozoa Stylasteridae).

  • Biodiversity Journal, 6 (1): 353-364 - MONOGRAPH

    Andrea Cosentino & Salvatore Giacobbe
    Mollusc assemblages of hard bottom subtidal fringe: a comparison between two coastal typologies
    Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress “Speciation and Taxonomy”, May 16th-18th 2014, Cefalù-Castelbuono (Italy)

    ABSTRACT
    The mollusc assemblages of subtidal fringe from two different coastal typologies are described in their qualitative and quantitative features. The large-scale spatial investigation has been carried out in the lava cliffs of Catania and the conglomerate “beach-rocks” of Capo Peloro (Messina), whose assemblages have been compared by fourteen shallow sampling stations, spaced out hundred/thousand meters apart. The similarity/dissimilarity levels of the two assemblages have been evaluated throughout a set of eighty-six species, exclusive or common between the two areas. Both the assemblages were characteristic of an impoverished and highly variable photophilic taxocoenosis. The area was the main discriminating factor that determined the highest richness and abundance in the rough lava surface. The Catania assemblage was more constant in species composition, with presence of exclusive bivalves, cue of a micro-sedimentary environment. The Messina assemblage was very variable in species composition, and its structure, dominated by motile gastropods, was evidence of a high energy environment. Differences in the structure and micro-topography of the natural substratum from the two areas, besides possible secondary influence of freshwater inputs and wave exposure, were factors mainly responsible for the observed patterns. The whole data set, with dominant and accessory taxa, involves a relevant contribution from the deeper subtidal assemblage; despite of their ephemeral character, these assemblages contribute to maintain the local biodiversity on a broader spatial scale.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 4 (2): 359-364

    Salvatore Giacobbe & Sergio De Matteo
    The potentially invasive opisthobranch Polycera hedgpethi Er. Marcus, 1964 (Gastropoda Nudibranchia), introduced in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

    ABSTRACT
    The non-native opisthobranch Polycera hedgpethi Er. Marcus, 1964 is reported from the coastal lagoon of Capo Peloro (Central Mediterranean Sea) with notes on its habitat typology and feeding behavior. The recently published opinion that P. hedgpethi established in the Mediterranean Sea is disputed, since records of adult specimens and egg laying were not accompanied by the presence of juveniles and/or larvae. Mussels imported from Atlantic and North-Adriatic lagoons are hypothesized to be the source of incoming populations in the Peloro Lagoon.

  • Biodiversity Journal, 3 (4): 501-510

    Salvatore Giacobbe
    Biodiversity loss in Sicily transitional waters: the molluscs of Faro Lake

    ABSTRACT
    Sediment samplings were carried out in six stations of Faro Lake (Sicily, Italy) during spring and autumn 1991, and spring 1993, 2006, 2010, to investigate the soft bottom mollusc assemblages. The study have provided the first quantitative data on the mollusc fauna of Faro Lake, to date known only for some dated inventories. Some differences in species composition in respect to the ancient literature were highlighted. The 1991-2010 data sets showed changes in the mollusc assemblages, which impoverished in composition and structure. Basic indices of community structure (S, d, H’, J’) indicate a marked decline in the 2006, followed by a recovery period during 2010. The multivariate analysis, based on a the Bray-Curtis similarity index, proved that mollusc assemblages sampled prior to the 2006 crisis were more structured and spatially differentiated than those settled later. The observed decline of endemic taxa and the concurrent settlement of species introduced by mussel farming, make the mollusc assemblages in the Faro Lake a case-study for the effect of species introduction in confined environments.