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Dr. Erika M.D. Porporato
IMC Foundation

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0 Aquaculture
0 Climate Change
0 Marine Ecology
0 Marine Biodiversity
0 maritime spatial planning

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Journal article
Published: 17 March 2021 in Sustainability
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Assessing the potential biomass yield is a key step in aquaculture site selection. This is challenging, especially for shellfish, as the growth rate depends on both trophic status and water temperature. Individual ecophysiological models can be used for mapping potential shellfish growth in coastal areas, using as input spatial time series of remotely sensed SST and chlorophyll-a. This approach was taken here to estimate the potential for developing oyster (Crassostrea gigas) farming in the western Adriatic Sea. Industry relevant indicators (i.e., shell length, total individual weight) and days required to reach marketable size were mapped using a dynamic energy budget model, finetuned on the basis of site-specific morphometric data collected monthly for a year. Spatially scaled-up results showed that the faster and more uniform growth in the northern Adriatic coastal area, compared with the southern one, where chlorophyll-a levels are lower and summer temperatures exceed the critical temperature limit for longer periods. These results could be used in planning the identification of allocated zones for aquaculture, (AZA), taking into account also the potential for farming or co-farming C. gigas. In perspective, the methodology could be used for getting insights on changes to the potential productivity indicators due to climatic changes.

ACS Style

Camilla Bertolini; Daniele Brigolin; Erika Porporato; Jasmine Hattab; Roberto Pastres; Pietro Tiscar. Testing a Model of Pacific Oysters’ (Crassostrea gigas) Growth in the Adriatic Sea: Implications for Aquaculture Spatial Planning. Sustainability 2021, 13, 3309 .

AMA Style

Camilla Bertolini, Daniele Brigolin, Erika Porporato, Jasmine Hattab, Roberto Pastres, Pietro Tiscar. Testing a Model of Pacific Oysters’ (Crassostrea gigas) Growth in the Adriatic Sea: Implications for Aquaculture Spatial Planning. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (6):3309.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Camilla Bertolini; Daniele Brigolin; Erika Porporato; Jasmine Hattab; Roberto Pastres; Pietro Tiscar. 2021. "Testing a Model of Pacific Oysters’ (Crassostrea gigas) Growth in the Adriatic Sea: Implications for Aquaculture Spatial Planning." Sustainability 13, no. 6: 3309.

Journal article
Published: 09 January 2020 in Environmental Pollution
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Evaluating the effects of anthropogenic pressure on the marine environment is one of the focal objectives in identifying strategies for its use, conservation and restoration. In this paper, we assessed the effects of chemical pollutants, grain size and plastic litter on functional traits, biodiversity and biotic indices. The study was conducted on the benthic communities of three harbours in the central Mediterranean Sea: Malta, Augusta and Syracuse, subjected to different levels of anthropogenic stress (high, medium and low, respectively). Six traits were considered, subdivided into 22 categories: reproductive frequency, environmental position, mobility, life habit, feeding habit and bioturbation. Functional diversity indices analysed were: Functional Divergence, Quadratic Entropy, Functional Evenness and Functional Richness. To assess the trait responses to environmental gradients, we applied RLQ analysis, which considers simultaneously the relationship between three components: environmental data (R), species abundances (L) and species traits (Q). From our analyses, significant relationships (P-value = 0.0018 for permutation of samples, and P-value = 0.00027 for permutation of species) between functional traits and environmental data were highlighted. The trait categories significantly influenced by environmental variables were those representing feeding habits and mobility. In particular, the first category was influenced by chemical pollutants (organotin compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and grain size (silt and sand), while the latter category was influenced only by chemical pollutants. Pearson correlations performed for functional vs biotic and diversity indices confirmed the validity of the chosen conceptual framework for harbour environments. Finally, linear models assessing the influence of stressors on functional parameters underlined the link between environmental data vs benthic and functional indices. Our results highlight the fact that functional trait analysis provides a useful and fast method for detecting in greater depth the effects of multiple stressors on functional diversity in marine ecosystems.

ACS Style

Michela D’Alessandro; Erika M.D. Porporato; Valentina Esposito; Salvatore Giacobbe; Alain Deidun; Federica Nasi; Larissa Ferrante; Rocco Auriemma; Daniela Berto; Monia Renzi; Gianfranco Scotti; Pierpaolo Consoli; Paola Del Negro; Franco Andaloro; Teresa Romeo. Common patterns of functional and biotic indices in response to multiple stressors in marine harbours ecosystems. Environmental Pollution 2020, 259, 113959 .

AMA Style

Michela D’Alessandro, Erika M.D. Porporato, Valentina Esposito, Salvatore Giacobbe, Alain Deidun, Federica Nasi, Larissa Ferrante, Rocco Auriemma, Daniela Berto, Monia Renzi, Gianfranco Scotti, Pierpaolo Consoli, Paola Del Negro, Franco Andaloro, Teresa Romeo. Common patterns of functional and biotic indices in response to multiple stressors in marine harbours ecosystems. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 259 ():113959.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michela D’Alessandro; Erika M.D. Porporato; Valentina Esposito; Salvatore Giacobbe; Alain Deidun; Federica Nasi; Larissa Ferrante; Rocco Auriemma; Daniela Berto; Monia Renzi; Gianfranco Scotti; Pierpaolo Consoli; Paola Del Negro; Franco Andaloro; Teresa Romeo. 2020. "Common patterns of functional and biotic indices in response to multiple stressors in marine harbours ecosystems." Environmental Pollution 259, no. : 113959.

Original research article
Published: 09 January 2020 in Frontiers in Marine Science
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Farm site selection plays a critical role in determining the productivity, environmental impact, and interactions of aquaculture activities with ecosystem services. Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) provide spatially extensive datasets at high temporal and spatial resolution, which can be useful for aquaculture site selection. In this paper we mapped a finfish aquaculture Suitability Index (SI) applying the Spatial Multi-criteria Evaluation (SMCE) methodology. The robustness of the outcome of the SMCE was investigated using Uncertainty Analysis (UA), and in parallel we evaluate a set of alternative scenarios, aimed at minimizing the subjectivity associated with the decision process. The index is based on the outputs of eco-physiological models, which were forced using time series of sea surface temperature data, and on data concerning Significant Wave Height (SWH), distance to harbor, current sea uses, and cumulative impacts. The methodology was applied to map the suitability for farming of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) within the Italian Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), under three scenarios: Blue Growth, Economic and Environment. Tyrrhenian and Ionian coastal areas were found to be more suitable, compared to the Northern Adriatic and southern Sicilian ones. In the latter, and in the western Sardinia, the index is also affected by higher uncertainty. The application presented suggests that SRS data could play a significant role in designing the Allocated Zones for Aquaculture, assisting policy makers and regulators in including aquaculture within maritime spatial planning.

ACS Style

Erika Porporato; Roberto Pastres; Daniele Brigolin. Site Suitability for Finfish Marine Aquaculture in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 2020, 6, 1 .

AMA Style

Erika Porporato, Roberto Pastres, Daniele Brigolin. Site Suitability for Finfish Marine Aquaculture in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2020; 6 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erika Porporato; Roberto Pastres; Daniele Brigolin. 2020. "Site Suitability for Finfish Marine Aquaculture in the Central Mediterranean Sea." Frontiers in Marine Science 6, no. : 1.

Original paper
Published: 08 January 2019 in Marine Biology
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Individual-based models are increasingly used by marine ecologists to predict species responses to environmental change on a mechanistic basis. Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) models allow the simulation of physiological processes (maintenance, growth, reproduction) in response to variability in environmental drivers. High levels of computational capacity and remote-sensing technologies provide an opportunity to apply existing DEB models across global spatial scales. To do so, however, we must first test the assumption of stationarity, i.e., that parameter values estimated for populations in one location/time are valid for populations elsewhere. Using a validated DEB model parameterized for the cosmopolitan intertidal mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, we ran growth simulations for native, Mediterranean Sea, populations and non-native, South African populations. The model performed well for native populations, but overestimated growth for non-native ones. Overestimations suggest that: (1) unaccounted variables may keep the physiological performance of non-native M. galloprovincialis in check, and/or (2) phenotypic plasticity or local adaptation could modulate responses under different environmental conditions. The study shows that stationary mechanistic models that aim to describe dynamics in complex physiological processes should be treated carefully when implemented across large spatial scales. Instead, we suggest placing the necessary effort into identifying the nuances that result in non-stationarity and explicitly accounting for them in geographic-scale mechanistic models.

ACS Style

Cristián J. Monaco; Erika Porporato; Justin A. Lathlean; Morgana Tagliarolo; Gianluca Sarà; Christopher D. McQuaid. Predicting the performance of cosmopolitan species: dynamic energy budget model skill drops across large spatial scales. Marine Biology 2019, 166, 14 .

AMA Style

Cristián J. Monaco, Erika Porporato, Justin A. Lathlean, Morgana Tagliarolo, Gianluca Sarà, Christopher D. McQuaid. Predicting the performance of cosmopolitan species: dynamic energy budget model skill drops across large spatial scales. Marine Biology. 2019; 166 (2):14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristián J. Monaco; Erika Porporato; Justin A. Lathlean; Morgana Tagliarolo; Gianluca Sarà; Christopher D. McQuaid. 2019. "Predicting the performance of cosmopolitan species: dynamic energy budget model skill drops across large spatial scales." Marine Biology 166, no. 2: 14.

Journal article
Published: 07 August 2018 in Environmental Pollution
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Five Descriptors (D) of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), marine litter (D10), non-indigenous species (D2) and organic and inorganic pollutants (D8), were estimated in a coastal area of GSA 16 (Augusta harbour, Central Mediterranean Sea) in order to study their effects on the biodiversity (D1) of the benthic community D6) and to improve data for the MSFD. Investigation of plastic debris had led to the identification of 38 fragments divided into four categories, among which microplastics resulted as the most abundant. Six non-indigenous species, belonging to Polychaeta (Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis, Notomastus aberans, Pista unibranchia, Pseudonereis anomala, Branchiomma bairdi) and Mollusca (Brachidontes pharaonis) were found. Biodiversity and benthic indices suggested a generalised, slightly disturbed ecological status. Anthracene, Zinc and Chrome were the most abundant chemical compounds in analysed sediments. Significant correlations were found between the abundance of trace elements vs biotic indices and between plastic debris vs biodiversity and benthic indices. This study represents the first report about the abundance of plastic debris and its relationship to contaminants and infauna in Augusta harbour. Our results can provide useful information for national and international laws and directives.

ACS Style

M.I.C.H.E.L.A. D’Alessandro; Valentina Esposito; E.R.I.K.A.M.D. Porporato; D.A.N.I.E.L.A. Berto; M.O.N.I.A. Renzi; S.A.L.V.A.T.O.R.E. Giacobbe; G.I.A.N.F.R.A.N.C.O. Scotti; P.I.E.R.P.A.O.L.O. Consoli; G.A.E.T.A.N.O. Valastro; F.R.A.N.C.O. Andaloro; T.E.R.E.S.A. Romeo. Relationships between plastic litter and chemical pollutants on benthic biodiversity. Environmental Pollution 2018, 242, 1546 -1556.

AMA Style

M.I.C.H.E.L.A. D’Alessandro, Valentina Esposito, E.R.I.K.A.M.D. Porporato, D.A.N.I.E.L.A. Berto, M.O.N.I.A. Renzi, S.A.L.V.A.T.O.R.E. Giacobbe, G.I.A.N.F.R.A.N.C.O. Scotti, P.I.E.R.P.A.O.L.O. Consoli, G.A.E.T.A.N.O. Valastro, F.R.A.N.C.O. Andaloro, T.E.R.E.S.A. Romeo. Relationships between plastic litter and chemical pollutants on benthic biodiversity. Environmental Pollution. 2018; 242 ():1546-1556.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M.I.C.H.E.L.A. D’Alessandro; Valentina Esposito; E.R.I.K.A.M.D. Porporato; D.A.N.I.E.L.A. Berto; M.O.N.I.A. Renzi; S.A.L.V.A.T.O.R.E. Giacobbe; G.I.A.N.F.R.A.N.C.O. Scotti; P.I.E.R.P.A.O.L.O. Consoli; G.A.E.T.A.N.O. Valastro; F.R.A.N.C.O. Andaloro; T.E.R.E.S.A. Romeo. 2018. "Relationships between plastic litter and chemical pollutants on benthic biodiversity." Environmental Pollution 242, no. : 1546-1556.

Primary research articles
Published: 01 June 2018 in Global Change Biology
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Defining sustainability goals is a crucial but difficult task because it often involves the quantification of multiple interrelated and sometimes conflicting components. This complexity may be exacerbated by climate change, which will increase environmental vulnerability in aquaculture and potentially compromise the ability to meet the needs of a growing human population. Here, we developed an approach to inform sustainable aquaculture by quantifying spatio‐temporal shifts in critical trade‐offs between environmental costs and benefits using the time to reach the commercial size as a possible proxy of economic implications of aquaculture under climate change. Our results indicate that optimizing aquaculture practices by minimizing impact (this study considers as impact a benthic carbon deposition ≥ 1 gC m−2 d−1) will become increasingly difficult under climate change. Moreover, an increasing temperature will produce a poleward shift in sustainability trade‐offs. These findings suggest that future sustainable management strategies and plans will need to account for the effects of climate change across scales. Overall, our results highlight the importance of integrating environmental factors in order to sustainably manage critical natural resources under shifting climatic conditions.

ACS Style

Gianluca Sarà; Tarik C. Gouhier; Daniele Brigolin; Erika M. D. Porporato; Maria Cristina Mangano; Simone Mirto; Antonio Mazzola; Roberto Pastres. Predicting shifting sustainability trade‐offs in marine finfish aquaculture under climate change. Global Change Biology 2018, 24, 3654 -3665.

AMA Style

Gianluca Sarà, Tarik C. Gouhier, Daniele Brigolin, Erika M. D. Porporato, Maria Cristina Mangano, Simone Mirto, Antonio Mazzola, Roberto Pastres. Predicting shifting sustainability trade‐offs in marine finfish aquaculture under climate change. Global Change Biology. 2018; 24 (8):3654-3665.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gianluca Sarà; Tarik C. Gouhier; Daniele Brigolin; Erika M. D. Porporato; Maria Cristina Mangano; Simone Mirto; Antonio Mazzola; Roberto Pastres. 2018. "Predicting shifting sustainability trade‐offs in marine finfish aquaculture under climate change." Global Change Biology 24, no. 8: 3654-3665.

Research article
Published: 03 May 2018 in PLOS ONE
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A new R software package, RAC, is presented. RAC allows to simulate the rearing cycle of 4 species, finfish and shellfish, highly important in terms of production in the Mediterranean Sea. The package works both at the scale of the individual and of the farmed population. Mathematical models included in RAC were all validated in previous works, and account for growth and metabolism, based on input data characterizing the forcing functions—water temperature, and food quality/quantity. The package provides a demo dataset of forcings for each species, as well as a typical set of husbandry parameters for Mediterranean conditions. The present work illustrates RAC main features, and its current capabilities/limitations. Three test cases are presented as a proof of concept of RAC applicability, and to demonstrate its potential for integrating different open products nowadays provided by remote sensing and operational oceanography.

ACS Style

Damiano Baldan; Erika M.D. Porporato; Roberto Pastres; Daniele Brigolin. An R package for simulating growth and organic wastage in aquaculture farms in response to environmental conditions and husbandry practices. PLOS ONE 2018, 13, e0195732 .

AMA Style

Damiano Baldan, Erika M.D. Porporato, Roberto Pastres, Daniele Brigolin. An R package for simulating growth and organic wastage in aquaculture farms in response to environmental conditions and husbandry practices. PLOS ONE. 2018; 13 (5):e0195732.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Damiano Baldan; Erika M.D. Porporato; Roberto Pastres; Daniele Brigolin. 2018. "An R package for simulating growth and organic wastage in aquaculture farms in response to environmental conditions and husbandry practices." PLOS ONE 13, no. 5: e0195732.

Journal article
Published: 17 February 2018 in Journal of Biogeography
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The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) via man-made corridors connecting previously disparate oceanic regions is increasing globally. However, the environmental and anthropogenic factors facilitating invasion dynamics and their interactions are still largely unknown. This study compiles and inputs available data for the NIS bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis across the invaded biogeographic range in the Mediterranean basin into a species distribution model to predict future spread under a range of marine scenarios. Mediterranean Sea. A systematic review produced the largest presence database ever assembled to inform the selection of biological, chemical and physical factors linked to the spread of B. pharaonis through the Suez Canal. We carried out a sensitivity analysis to simulate current and future trophic and salinity scenarios. A species distribution model was run to determine key drivers of invasion, quantify interactive impacts arising from a range of trophic states, salinity conditions and climatic scenarios and forecast future trajectories for the spread of NIS into new regions under multiple-parameter scenarios (based on the main factors identified from the systematic review). Impacts on invasion trajectory arising from climate change and interactions with increasing salinity from the new opening of the canal were the primary drivers of expansion across the basin, the effects of which were further enhanced by eutrophication. Predictions of the current distribution were most accurate when multiple stressors were used to drive the model. A habitat suitability index developed at a subcontinental scale from model outputs identified novel favourable conditions for future colonization at specific locations under 2030 and 2050 climatic scenarios. Future expansion of B. pharaonis will be enhanced by climate-facilitated increased sea temperature, interacting with increasing pressures from salinity and eutrophication. The spatially explicit risk output maps of invasions represent a powerful visual product for use in communication of the spread of NIS and decision-support tools for scientists and policymakers. The suggested approach, the observed distribution pattern and driving processes can be applied to other NIS species and regions by providing novel forecasts of species occurrences under future multiple stressor scenarios and the location of suitable recipient habitats with respect to anthropogenic and environmental parameters.

ACS Style

Gianluca Sarà; Erika M.D. Porporato; Maria Cristina Mangano; Nova Mieszkowska. Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non-indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Biogeography 2018, 45, 1090 -1103.

AMA Style

Gianluca Sarà, Erika M.D. Porporato, Maria Cristina Mangano, Nova Mieszkowska. Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non-indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Biogeography. 2018; 45 (5):1090-1103.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gianluca Sarà; Erika M.D. Porporato; Maria Cristina Mangano; Nova Mieszkowska. 2018. "Multiple stressors facilitate the spread of a non-indigenous bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea." Journal of Biogeography 45, no. 5: 1090-1103.

Journal article
Published: 14 September 2017 in Marine Environmental Research
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The ability to observe and predict trawling-induced patterns at spatial and temporal scales that are relevant to inform realistic management strategies is a challenge which scientists have consistently faced in recent decades. Here, we use fish feeding behaviour, a biological trait easily impaired by trawling disturbance, to depict alterations in fish condition (i.e. individual fitness) and feeding opportunities. The benthivorous fish Mullus barbatus barbatus was selected as a model species. The observed trends of responses to trawling in prey species confirmed the effectiveness of a non-trawled zone in sustaining higher levels of diet diversity (e.g. quantity and quality of ingested prey) and fish condition values (e.g. morphometric and physiological Condition Index). Changes observed in fish prey selection confirmed the role of trawling disturbance in modifying the local soft bottoms community, producing alterations of prey availability that trigger shifts in fish diet. Trawling-induced feeding patterns, mirrored through stomach contents, can positively or negatively affect fish condition, the main driver of population dynamics in maintaining carrying capacity levels. Due to the widespread socio-economic value of the red mullet fishery, and the current exploitation status, evidence gathered by the proposed bottom-up trait based approach might inform future trawling adaptation strategies, and tailor spatial conservation measures supporting an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management.

ACS Style

M.C. Mangano; T. Bottari; F. Caridi; E.M.D. Porporato; P. Rinelli; N. Spanò; M. Johnson; G. Sarà. The effectiveness of fish feeding behaviour in mirroring trawling-induced patterns. Marine Environmental Research 2017, 131, 195 -204.

AMA Style

M.C. Mangano, T. Bottari, F. Caridi, E.M.D. Porporato, P. Rinelli, N. Spanò, M. Johnson, G. Sarà. The effectiveness of fish feeding behaviour in mirroring trawling-induced patterns. Marine Environmental Research. 2017; 131 ():195-204.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M.C. Mangano; T. Bottari; F. Caridi; E.M.D. Porporato; P. Rinelli; N. Spanò; M. Johnson; G. Sarà. 2017. "The effectiveness of fish feeding behaviour in mirroring trawling-induced patterns." Marine Environmental Research 131, no. : 195-204.

Journal article
Published: 14 March 2017 in ICES Journal of Marine Science
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This work focuses on the selection of new areas for shellfish farming along the coast of the Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). Shellfish site suitability was assessed by means of a methodology based on Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE), which provided the framework to combine mathematical models and operational oceanography products. Intermediate level criteria considered in the analysis included optimal growth conditions, environmental interactions, and socio-economic evaluation (e.g. organic carbon deposition; distance to harbour). Results showed that the whole coastal area comprised within 0 and 3 nm is highly suitable for farming of mussel, while the area comprised between 3 and 12 nm is divided between a highly suitable northern part, and a less suitable southern one. Seven different scenarios of development of shellfish aquaculture industry were explored. The introduction of a new species, and the assessment of the exposure to storm events are specific aspects taken into account in development scenarios. Results show that the degree of suitability for shellfish aquaculture in this area would not change dramatically with the introduction of oyster farming. Furthermore, results highlight that: (i) the growth potential in this area is high; (ii) the space with suitability index >0.5 increases when prioritizing the optimal growth condition criteria, and (iii) the socio-economic is the most restrictive Intermediate Level Criteria. Results were discussed by deriving general lessons concerning the use of SMCE in aquaculture space allocation, from the specific application in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Challenges and opportunities related to the proposed methodological framework, with particular reference to the use of resources provided by remote sensing and operational oceanography by means of mathematical models, were also discussed. Results can support a science-based identification of allocated zones for aquaculture in order to avoid conflicts, and promote sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea, where the space for these activities is becoming increasingly limited.

ACS Style

Daniele Brigolin; Erika Porporato; Giuseppe Prioli; Roberto Pastres. Making space for shellfish farming along the Adriatic coast. ICES Journal of Marine Science 2017, 74, 1540 -1551.

AMA Style

Daniele Brigolin, Erika Porporato, Giuseppe Prioli, Roberto Pastres. Making space for shellfish farming along the Adriatic coast. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 2017; 74 (6):1540-1551.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniele Brigolin; Erika Porporato; Giuseppe Prioli; Roberto Pastres. 2017. "Making space for shellfish farming along the Adriatic coast." ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, no. 6: 1540-1551.

Journal article
Published: 27 April 2016 in Journal of Basic Microbiology
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Among filter-feeders, pennatulids are the most complex and polymorphic members of the cnidarian class Anthozoa. They display a wide distribution throughout all the oceans, constituting a significant component of the sessile megafauna from intertidal to abyssal depths. In this study, a total of 118 bacterial isolates from enrichment cultures, carried out with homogenates of the sea pen Pteroeides spinosum (Ellis, 1764), were screened for hydrocarbon utilization by using the 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol assay. Among them, 83 hydrocarbon-oxidizing isolates were analyzed for biosurfactant production by standard screening tests (i.e., emulsifying activity, E24 detection, surface tension measurement, microplate assay). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the affiliation of the most promising isolates to the genera Brevibacterium and Vibrio. Biosurfactant production resulted strongly affected by salinity and temperature conditions, and occurred in the presence of diesel oil and/or crude oil, whereas no production was observed when isolates were grown on tetradecane. The strains resulted able to create stable emulsions, thus suggesting the production of biosurfactants. Further analyses revealed a glycolipidic nature of the biosurfactant extracted from Vibrio sp. PBN295, a genus that has been only recently reported as biosurfactant producer. Results suggest that pennatulids could represent a novel source for the isolation of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria with potential in biosurfactant production.

ACS Style

Marco Graziano; Carmen Rizzo; Luigi Michaud; Erika M.D. Porporato; Emilio De Domenico; Nunziacarla Spanò; Angelina Lo Giudice. Biosurfactant production by hydrocarbon-degradingBrevibacteriumandVibrioisolates from the sea penPteroeides spinosum(Ellis, 1764). Journal of Basic Microbiology 2016, 56, 963 -974.

AMA Style

Marco Graziano, Carmen Rizzo, Luigi Michaud, Erika M.D. Porporato, Emilio De Domenico, Nunziacarla Spanò, Angelina Lo Giudice. Biosurfactant production by hydrocarbon-degradingBrevibacteriumandVibrioisolates from the sea penPteroeides spinosum(Ellis, 1764). Journal of Basic Microbiology. 2016; 56 (9):963-974.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marco Graziano; Carmen Rizzo; Luigi Michaud; Erika M.D. Porporato; Emilio De Domenico; Nunziacarla Spanò; Angelina Lo Giudice. 2016. "Biosurfactant production by hydrocarbon-degradingBrevibacteriumandVibrioisolates from the sea penPteroeides spinosum(Ellis, 1764)." Journal of Basic Microbiology 56, no. 9: 963-974.

Journal article
Published: 07 September 2015 in Mediterranean Marine Science
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Physical disturbance by trawling can have both negative and positive effects on populations of scavenging benthic organisms. In the present study the impact of fishing activity on feeding behaviour of the two Astropectinids, Astropecten bispinosus and A. irregularis, was assessed based on stomach contents analysis. The study was carried out along trawled seabed highlighting the positive response of the two facultative scavengers to carrion generated by trawl disturbance. Furthermore, there was greater food specialization in areas that were more heavily exploited by trawling. This specialisation could be linked to the availability of certain prey that results from the passage of fishing gears across the seabed. Interestingly, differences between the two species analysed have been highlighted in term of population dynamic, feeding rate, diet composition and diet diversity, testifying their capacity to coexist in the same fishing grounds.

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Mangano; Michel Josef Kaiser; Erika Porporato; G. I. Lambert; N. Spanò. Trawling disturbance effects on the trophic ecology of two co-generic Astropectinid species. Mediterranean Marine Science 2015, 16, 538 -549.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Mangano, Michel Josef Kaiser, Erika Porporato, G. I. Lambert, N. Spanò. Trawling disturbance effects on the trophic ecology of two co-generic Astropectinid species. Mediterranean Marine Science. 2015; 16 (3):538-549.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Mangano; Michel Josef Kaiser; Erika Porporato; G. I. Lambert; N. Spanò. 2015. "Trawling disturbance effects on the trophic ecology of two co-generic Astropectinid species." Mediterranean Marine Science 16, no. 3: 538-549.

Journal article
Published: 06 March 2014 in Marine Biodiversity
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The presence of extensive pennatulacean fields was highlighted in the southern part of the Strait of Messina, Central Mediterranean Sea, during a survey carried out by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Pennatulaceans belonging to Pteroeides spinosum were observed from 30 to 160 m. The sea pens reached densities of ≤10 specimens m−2. Their main arrangement patterns are described and their dependence on the interaction between terrigenous organic input and sea-bottom currents is discussed in the light of the ecological importance of sea pen fields.

ACS Style

Erika M.D. Porporato; Maria Cristina Mangano; Francesca De Domenico; Salvatore Giacobbe; Nunziacarla Spanò. First observation of Pteroeides spinosum (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) fields in a Sicilian coastal zone (Central Mediterranean Sea). Marine Biodiversity 2014, 44, 589 -592.

AMA Style

Erika M.D. Porporato, Maria Cristina Mangano, Francesca De Domenico, Salvatore Giacobbe, Nunziacarla Spanò. First observation of Pteroeides spinosum (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) fields in a Sicilian coastal zone (Central Mediterranean Sea). Marine Biodiversity. 2014; 44 (4):589-592.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erika M.D. Porporato; Maria Cristina Mangano; Francesca De Domenico; Salvatore Giacobbe; Nunziacarla Spanò. 2014. "First observation of Pteroeides spinosum (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) fields in a Sicilian coastal zone (Central Mediterranean Sea)." Marine Biodiversity 44, no. 4: 589-592.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2014 in Continental Shelf Research
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ACS Style

Maria Cristina Mangano; Michel Josef Kaiser; Erika Porporato; Gwladys I. Lambert; Paola Rinelli; Nunziacarla Spanò. Infaunal community responses to a gradient of trawling disturbance and a long-term Fishery Exclusion Zone in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Continental Shelf Research 2014, 76, 25 -35.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Mangano, Michel Josef Kaiser, Erika Porporato, Gwladys I. Lambert, Paola Rinelli, Nunziacarla Spanò. Infaunal community responses to a gradient of trawling disturbance and a long-term Fishery Exclusion Zone in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Continental Shelf Research. 2014; 76 ():25-35.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Mangano; Michel Josef Kaiser; Erika Porporato; Gwladys I. Lambert; Paola Rinelli; Nunziacarla Spanò. 2014. "Infaunal community responses to a gradient of trawling disturbance and a long-term Fishery Exclusion Zone in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea." Continental Shelf Research 76, no. : 25-35.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2014 in Frontiers in Marine Science
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Opecoeloides furcatus (Bremser in Rudolphi, 1819) is an opecoeliid digenean infecting the digestive tract of the two mullidae Mullus barbatus barbatus and M. surmuletus (Carreras-Aubets et al., 2012). The Opecoelidae constitute a large and cosmopolitan family of digeneans characterised by a series of complex life-cycles involving two or three hosts and several developmental stages (Jousson et al., 1999). The specialist O. furcatus uses the gastropod Mitrella scripta (L.) as first intermediate host and, probably a decapod as second intermediate host (Jousson & Bartoli, 2000). The present study aims to assess the potential impact of O. furcatus on M. barbatus barbatus specimens inhabiting the seabed off the northern Sicilian coasts (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). The distributional pattern as well as the influence on host growth have been evaluated. Samples have been collected from Cape Rasocolmo (Messina) to Cape S. Vito (Palermo) encompassing two Fishery Exclusion Zones: the Gulfs of Patti and the Gulf of Castellammare. A total of 10 hauls have been performed between 32 and 110 meters depth during an experimental otter trawl survey performed in May 2012. On board only red mullets of total length ranging from 110 and 150 mm were sorted and frozen. In the laboratory samples were defrosted, measured, weighed and dissected in order to macroscopically evaluate their sex. The entire digestive tract was removed and examined under a stereomicroscope for the presence of O. furcatus. The three epidemiological indices: prevalence of infestation (P%), mean intensity and mean abundance were calculated according to Bush et al. (1997). Fisher's exact test and Bootstrap t-test were applied to test for sex and sampling site factors (Reiczigel & Ròzsa, 2005). To test for correlation between prevalence and mean intensity vs depth the Spearman test was applied. The values of prevalence of infestation were additionally mapped by using GIS software. The parasitic effect on host growth was evaluated applying the length-weight relationship separately for infected and uninfected specimens. Differences between infected and uninfected specimens were tested using an analysis of covariance. The prevalence and intensity of infestation did not differ significantly between sexes (Table 1); consequently, the spatial distribution of this parasite in the study area was examined computing the parasitic prevalence in each haul for combined sexes. A total of 53 out of 251 M. barbatus barbatus were parasitized (Table 1). Each infected fish was parasitized by one to seventeen parasites. Generally the parasitic prevalence was 21.1 % and the mean intensity was 2.06. The parasite occurred throughout the study area with wide fluctuations of prevalence values ranging between 0 and 40 % (Figure 1). The parasitic prevalence values were significantly higher inside the Fishery Exclusion Zones (P = 32.3 %) than in the fishing zones (P = 14.2 %) (Fischer exact test, p value< 0.01). Mean intensity and abundance were not significantly different between fished and un-fished areas (Bootstrap 2-sample t-test, p >0.05). No significant correlation was found between prevalence and mean intensity vs. depth factor (rs = 0.22, p > 0.05; rs = 0.07, p > 0.5). The length-weight relationships showed a positive allometry for both uninfected and infected specimens, with a b value of uninfected specimens (b = 3.330) even lower than that of infected ones (b = 3.505); however the difference between infected and uninfected specimens was not significant (F = 0.903, p > 0.05). Although to date specimens of O. furcatus have been reported in M. barbatus barbatus from various localities in the Mediterranean Sea (Paggi et al., 1998; Martinez-Vicaria et al., 2000), the obtained value of prevalence of the parasite from our study area was lower than from the north African and from the Mediterranean Spanish coasts (Martinez-Vicaria et al., 2000; Carreras-Aubets et al., 2012; Derbel et al., 2012;). The comparison of length-weight relationships of infected and uninfected specimens and the low intensity of infection allow us to assume that, for the moment, there is no severe effect on the host population dynamic: O. furcatus does not affect the general-being of its host. Interestingly the spatial distribution on O. furcatus along the study area is not related to the depth appearing rather influenced by the presence of the two Exclusion Fishery Zones. Future studies will be performed in order to clarify this latter observation in relation to the seabed features and habitat integrity status among fished and un-fished areas as well as about the identification of intermediate crustaceans hosts (Mangano et al., 2014). Figure caption Figure 1. Prevalence of infestation (P%) of Opecoeloides furcatus in red mullets (Mullus barbatus barbatus) off the northern Sicilian coasts.

ACS Style

Bottari Teresa; Mangano Maria Cristina; Busalacchi Barbara; Erika M.D. Porporato; Rinelli Paola; Garofalo Germana; Fiorentino Fabio. Distribution of Opecoeloides furcatus (Digenea, Opecoelidae) from the red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus) (L.1758) off the northern Sicilian coasts (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). Frontiers in Marine Science 2014, 1, 1 .

AMA Style

Bottari Teresa, Mangano Maria Cristina, Busalacchi Barbara, Erika M.D. Porporato, Rinelli Paola, Garofalo Germana, Fiorentino Fabio. Distribution of Opecoeloides furcatus (Digenea, Opecoelidae) from the red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus) (L.1758) off the northern Sicilian coasts (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). Frontiers in Marine Science. 2014; 1 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bottari Teresa; Mangano Maria Cristina; Busalacchi Barbara; Erika M.D. Porporato; Rinelli Paola; Garofalo Germana; Fiorentino Fabio. 2014. "Distribution of Opecoeloides furcatus (Digenea, Opecoelidae) from the red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus) (L.1758) off the northern Sicilian coasts (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)." Frontiers in Marine Science 1, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 02 July 2013 in Microbial Ecology
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A description of the bacterial communities associated with the Mediterranean pennatulids (sea pens) Pennatula phosphorea and Pteroeides spinosum from the Straits of Messina (Italy) is reported. The automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis showed a marked difference between coral (tissues and mucus) and non-coral (underlying sediment and surrounding water) habitats. The diversity of the coral-associated communities was more deeply analysed by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of bacterial clones. P. phosphorea and P. spinosum harbour distinct bacterial communities, indicating the occurrence of species-specific coral-associated bacteria. In addition, only few phylotypes were shared between mucus and tissues of the same pennatulid species, suggesting that there might be a sort of microhabitat partitioning between the associated microbial communities. The predominance of Alphaproteobacteria was observed for the communities associated with both tissues and mucus of P. phosphorea (84 and 58.2 % of total sequences, respectively). Conversely, the bacterial community in the mucus layer of P. spinosum was dominated by Alphaproteobacteria (74.2 %) as opposed to the tissue library that was dominated by the Gammaproteobacteria and Mollicutes (40.6 and 35.4 %, respectively). The antibacterial activity of 78 bacterial isolates against indicator organisms was assayed. Active isolates (15.4 %), which predominantly affiliated to Vibrio spp., were mainly obtained from coral mucus. Results from the present study enlarge our knowledge on the composition and antibacterial activity of coral-associated bacterial communities.

ACS Style

Erika M.D. Porporato; A. Lo Giudice; L. Michaud; E. De Domenico; N. Spanò. Diversity and Antibacterial Activity of the Bacterial Communities Associated with Two Mediterranean Sea Pens, Pennatula phosphorea and Pteroeides spinosum (Anthozoa: Octocorallia). Microbial Ecology 2013, 66, 701 -714.

AMA Style

Erika M.D. Porporato, A. Lo Giudice, L. Michaud, E. De Domenico, N. Spanò. Diversity and Antibacterial Activity of the Bacterial Communities Associated with Two Mediterranean Sea Pens, Pennatula phosphorea and Pteroeides spinosum (Anthozoa: Octocorallia). Microbial Ecology. 2013; 66 (3):701-714.

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Erika M.D. Porporato; A. Lo Giudice; L. Michaud; E. De Domenico; N. Spanò. 2013. "Diversity and Antibacterial Activity of the Bacterial Communities Associated with Two Mediterranean Sea Pens, Pennatula phosphorea and Pteroeides spinosum (Anthozoa: Octocorallia)." Microbial Ecology 66, no. 3: 701-714.

Journal article
Published: 14 February 2013 in Marine Ecology Progress Series
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Maria Cristina Mangano; Mj Kaiser; Erika M.D. Porporato; N Spano; Erika Porporato. Evidence of trawl disturbance on mega-epibenthic communities in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 2013, 475, 101 -117.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Mangano, Mj Kaiser, Erika M.D. Porporato, N Spano, Erika Porporato. Evidence of trawl disturbance on mega-epibenthic communities in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 2013; 475 ():101-117.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Mangano; Mj Kaiser; Erika M.D. Porporato; N Spano; Erika Porporato. 2013. "Evidence of trawl disturbance on mega-epibenthic communities in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea." Marine Ecology Progress Series 475, no. : 101-117.

Research article
Published: 01 January 2013 in Crustaceana
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The spatial representation of decapod crustaceans (Crustacea, Malacostraca) of the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) is presented for the first time, together with comments on their vertical and horizontal distributions. The most relevant trawlable species were analysed using quantitative data gathered in 260 daylight lasting hauls, which covered a large portion (about 100 000 km2) of the investigated area. The index of local abundance, standardized to 1 km2, both in weight (Biomass Index), number (Density Index) and mean body weight were obtained for each species and for all species combined. A spatial representation of the Density Index was produced for all decapod crustaceans combined and for the most frequent species. In particular, the indices were transferred under a GIS system and spatial maps produced by applying the program ArcView™ 9.0. Different interpolators were tested and the most exact interpolator (IDW Inverse Distance Weighting) was chosen. Both historical (i.e., doubts about the presence or identification of the species) and spatial (i.e., differential distribution among different fishing areas) heterogeneity were detected and commented upon. Concerning the trawlable bottoms, very few species (such as Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846), Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827), Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816), Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Plesionika martia (A. Milne-Edwards, 1883)) are consistently and largely represented in the catches. A high spatial heterogeneity, likely reflecting the complex interaction between fishing pattern, hydrological features and bottom typology, was made evident.

ACS Style

Nunziacarla Spanò; Erika M. D. Porporato; Sergio Ragonese. Spatial distribution of Decapoda in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) based on a trawl survey. Crustaceana 2013, 86, 139 -157.

AMA Style

Nunziacarla Spanò, Erika M. D. Porporato, Sergio Ragonese. Spatial distribution of Decapoda in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) based on a trawl survey. Crustaceana. 2013; 86 (2):139-157.

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Nunziacarla Spanò; Erika M. D. Porporato; Sergio Ragonese. 2013. "Spatial distribution of Decapoda in the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) based on a trawl survey." Crustaceana 86, no. 2: 139-157.

Research article
Published: 01 January 2011 in Crustaceana
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Nunziacarla Spanò; Erika M. D. Porporato; M. Cristina Mangano; Francesca De Domenico. Macropodia Longirostris and Latreillia Elegans (Decapoda, Brachyura) Climbing on Mediterranean Pennatulidae (Anthozoa, Octocorallia): A Preliminary Note. Crustaceana 2011, 84, 1777 -1780.

AMA Style

Nunziacarla Spanò, Erika M. D. Porporato, M. Cristina Mangano, Francesca De Domenico. Macropodia Longirostris and Latreillia Elegans (Decapoda, Brachyura) Climbing on Mediterranean Pennatulidae (Anthozoa, Octocorallia): A Preliminary Note. Crustaceana. 2011; 84 (14):1777-1780.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nunziacarla Spanò; Erika M. D. Porporato; M. Cristina Mangano; Francesca De Domenico. 2011. "Macropodia Longirostris and Latreillia Elegans (Decapoda, Brachyura) Climbing on Mediterranean Pennatulidae (Anthozoa, Octocorallia): A Preliminary Note." Crustaceana 84, no. 14: 1777-1780.

Research article
Published: 01 January 2010 in Crustaceana
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M. Cristina Mangano; Francesca De Domenico; Nunziacarla Spanò; Erika Porporato. Young specimens of Munida intermedia (Decapoda, Anomura) living on Antedon mediterranea (Echinodermata, Crinoidea). Crustaceana 2010, 83, 215 -221.

AMA Style

M. Cristina Mangano, Francesca De Domenico, Nunziacarla Spanò, Erika Porporato. Young specimens of Munida intermedia (Decapoda, Anomura) living on Antedon mediterranea (Echinodermata, Crinoidea). Crustaceana. 2010; 83 (2):215-221.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Cristina Mangano; Francesca De Domenico; Nunziacarla Spanò; Erika Porporato. 2010. "Young specimens of Munida intermedia (Decapoda, Anomura) living on Antedon mediterranea (Echinodermata, Crinoidea)." Crustaceana 83, no. 2: 215-221.