Mariano Enrico Giarrusso

Dr. Mariano Enrico Giarrusso


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 May 2023 in Diversity
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Adriana VellaAdriana Vella
Adriana Vella
MGMariano Enrico Giarrusso
Mariano Enrico Giarrusso
Clara MonacoClara Monaco
Clara Monaco
CMClare Marie Mifsud
Clare Marie Mifsud
SDSandra Agius Darmanin
Sandra Agius Darmanin
NVNoel Vella
Noel Vella
The current study provides new data on the known records of the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, from the Maltese Islands through two ovigerous female specimens collected from Salini (Malta), a Natura 2000 site, in August 2020. Additional new records of the species were also presented from the San Leonardo River estuary, Syracuse (Sicily, Italy), in August 2022. The specimens collected from both Malta and Sicily were identified using both morphological and molecular analyses. The latter has shown that all the specimens analysed share their mitochondrial DNA barcode region with the most recorded haplotype of the same species from the Mediterranean Sea. Knowing the new distribution and range expansion records of alien species is important for the continuous monitoring of marine alien species, which is essential for the implementation of the best possible mitigation measures. This is especially relevant for C. sapidus, as it is considered one of the worst invaders of the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, given that this alien species is edible, fishing for it may allow some control over its population size and further expansion. Knowing its distribution is crucial to inform fishers about its exact location, making such a mitigation measure more effective.