Sabrina Lo Brutto | Università degli Studi di Palermo (original) (raw)

Papers by Sabrina Lo Brutto

Ecologica Montenegrina, 2024

In recent decades, intense human activities and increased maritime transportation triggered heavy... more In recent decades, intense human activities and increased maritime transportation triggered heavy pressure on the Israeli coastal ecosystem and, meanwhile, the eastern Mediterranean experienced the highest temperature values. With the assumption that both kinds of anthropogenic drivers could alter the benthic taxocenosis, a monitoring survey covering a period ranging from 2010 to 2017 was addressed to assess changes in the macrozoobenthos on spatial and temporal scales. The present study focused on the crustacean amphipod fauna collected on the soft bottom littoral area. Twenty-five species and taxa (genus level) were detected under the temporal survey in the same stations, located along a north-south axis, from the northernmost Haifa Bay to the southern area. The dataset showed a temporally stable assemblage of the most common species. Seven species showed the greatest abundance and a constant presence: the Levantine endemic Cheiriphotis mediterranea; the Mediterranean endemic Megaluropus massiliensis; the NE-Atlantic–Mediterranean Bathyporeia guilliamsoniana and Perioculodes longimanus; and the widely distributed Photis longicaudata and Urothoe grimaldii. In addition, an alien species was recorded, the circumtropical aorid Grandidierella bonnieroides which resulted naturalized. Differently, the spatial dataset discriminated two geographical regions, the northernmost Haifa Bay and the remaining Southern Israeli Coast, based on the different substratum granulometry. On the whole, the Israeli assemblage showed a low diversity composed of dominant species strictly associated with the features of the sediment and characterised by local abundance fluctuations. It is a pattern that provides baseline knowledge for successive monitoring years and contributes to implementing the knowledge of the ecological traits of amphipod fauna.

Ecologica Montenegrina, 2024

The occurrence of a carangoliopsid amphipod species in the bathyal eastern Mediterranean Sea is h... more The occurrence of a carangoliopsid amphipod species in the bathyal eastern Mediterranean Sea is herein presented. The species, Carangoliopsis spinulosa, belongs to a monotype genus and it seems to be widespread in the Atlantic-Mediterranean region. Carangoliopsis spinulosa was previously recorded in the bathyal western Mediterranean Sea and was thought to be not abundant in the easternmost Levantine area. The recent and present data confirm a major range extension than it is expected.

Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023

The present study, based on microsatellite markers, describes a population genetic analysis of th... more The present study, based on microsatellite markers, describes a population genetic analysis of the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758), representing one of the most abundant and commonly caught cartilaginous fishes in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent areas. The analyses were performed to unravel the genetic features (variability, connectivity, sexbiased dispersal) of their relative geographic populations, both at the small (around the coast of Sardinia, Western Mediterranean Sea) and at a larger spatial scale (pan-Mediterranean level and between the Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea). Individual clustering, multivariate and variance analyses rejected the hypothesis of genetic homogeneity, with significant genetic differences mainly within the Mediterranean between the Western and Eastern basins, as well as between the Mediterranean and the NE Atlantic Ocean. In detail, our results seem to confirm that the Strait of Gibraltar could not represent a complete barrier to the exchange of individuals of small-spotted catshark between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. In the latter area, a complex genetic structuring for S. canicula was found. Apart from differences among the Western, Eastern and Adriatic sites, within the Western basin the small-spotted catsharks around Sardinian waters are strongly differentiated from all others (both from the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea and southernmost part of the
Algerian basin) and are demographically stable. Several possible mechanisms, both biological and abiotic (e.g., migratory behavior, waterfronts, and oceanographic discontinuities), are discussed here to explain their peculiar characteristics. Overall, the genetic data presented, both at the local and regional level, could represent a baseline information, useful for the temporal monitoring of populations, and to assess the effects of present or future fishing/management/conservation measures.

BioInvasions Records, 2024

This paper presents the first overview of aquatic alien invertebrate species (AIS) in the three m... more This paper presents the first overview of aquatic alien invertebrate species (AIS) in the three major river basins (Tigris, Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab) in southern Iraq. The results are based on field studies undertaken in 2021 and 2022. Thirteen AIS have been recorded. Three of them are “old invaders” (first recorded in the early 19th century to 1970), two species are “intermediate invaders” (first recorded between 1970 to 1990) and eight are “new invaders” (first recorded after 2000). The number of AIS has been growing substantially since 2000. The highest AIS number is recorded in the Shatt-Al-Arab (11 species), a middle number in the Euphrates basin (10 species) and the lowest number in the Tigris (6 species). On the whole, 31% of the recorded species originate from Southern America or Northern
America, 23% from Asia, 8% from Southern Europe, Africa and Southern Asia, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa and Northern America, 7% from New Zealand, and the Caspian Sea. Most AIS were likely introduced unintentionally. The study demonstrated that many AIS, like e.g. Macrobrachium nipponense, have been collected both from the
upper and the lower sections of the study rivers providing successful examples of aquatic AIS that can establish populations in fresh and brackish waters. The compiled species list is a first step toward the management of the invasive species that are now present in rivers of southern Iraq. It provides a basis for the creation of monitoring programs, early detection initiatives, and quick responses to prevent future invasions in the Tigris-Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab basins.

Diversity, Jun 29, 2024

The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of... more The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of a species, while scattered literature is addressed to a correct systematic assessment and an updated geographical distribution on the whole. It is noteworthy that non-indigenous species should be monitored on both sides of their range, i.e., towards the front of dispersal and beyond the original range. The backside range boundaries are not often monitored or well delimited; thus, the novel global distribution of an invasive taxon is not often accurately delimitated. A model species for highlighting criticisms about the scarce knowledge on the novel range was chosen. Brachidontes pharaonis is a mussel that has successfully colonised the Mediterranean Sea, following an immigration pathway through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, presumably from a wider Indo-Pacific area. In this case, the Indo-Pacific boundaries have been overlooked and are still misunderstood due to diverse causes, principally as the synonymy with the congeneric B. variabilis has created confusion in the taxonomic identification. The present review demonstrates that the borders of the B. pharaonis range are still unclear and that the species should be analysed in a wider geographical area. Records of B. pharaonis from Southeast Asia should be treated with caution as this area is out of its range. The Indian and Pacific Oceans host the taxon B. variabilis, composed of two potential cryptic species. Data from the literature highlight the importance of the integrative taxonomic approach to solving various issues concerning the species group complex, morphological variations and cosmopolitan claims of species.

Animals, Mar 23, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Records of The Australian Museum, Dec 5, 2023

We provide an overview of the World Amphipoda Database (WAD), a global species database that is p... more We provide an overview of the World Amphipoda Database (WAD), a global species database that is part of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Launched in 2013, the database contains entries for over 10,500 accepted species names. Edited currently by 31 amphipod taxonomists, following WoRMS priorities, the WAD has at least one editor per major group. All accepted species are checked by the editors, as is the authorship available for all of the names. The higher classification is documented for every species and a type species is recorded for every genus name. This constitutes five of the 13 priorities for completion, set by WoRMS. In 2015, five LifeWatch grants were allocated for WAD activities. These included a general training workshop in 2016, together with data input for the superfamily Lysianassoidea and for a number of non-marine groups. Philanthropy grants in 2019 and 2021 covered more important gaps across the whole group. Further work remains to complete the linking of unaccepted names, original descriptions, and environmental information. Once these tasks are completed, the database will be considered complete for 8 of the 13 priorities, and efforts will continue to input new taxa annually and focus on the remaining priorities, particularly the input of type localities. We give an overview of the current status of the order Amphipoda, providing counts of the number of genera and species within each family belonging to the six suborders currently recognized.

Ecologica Montenegrina, 2024

One of the primary goals in assessing marine biodiversity is to measure the degree of species ric... more One of the primary goals in assessing marine biodiversity is to measure the degree of species richness in specific geographical areas. We know that biodiversity is declining mainly due to human-induced pressures, but, at the same time, we don't know the extent of abundance and distribution of many species such as the ones ascribable to neglected groups (Schimmenti et al. 2016; Lo Brutto & Iaciofano 2020). Under the framework of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), recently funded in Italy (Cena & Labra 2024), a survey on marine biodiversity was conducted aiming to detect rare or overlooked species in Sicily. The present paper reports the water mite identified as Litarachna duboscqi collected in March 2024 from nautical ropes in the harbour of Trapani (Sicily). It is the first record for southern Italy and the central Mediterranean Sea. Sicily is the largest island (more than 25,000 km 2) in the Mediterranean Sea with approximately 1,400 km of coastline, bounding the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, the Ionian Sea to the east and the Strait of Sicily to the south. It represents a strategic natural observatory for monitoring Italian marine biodiversity.

Diversity, 2024

The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of... more The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of a species, while scattered literature is addressed to a correct systematic assessment and an updated geographical distribution on the whole. It is noteworthy that non-indigenous species should be monitored on both sides of their range, i.e., towards the front of dispersal and beyond the original range. The backside range boundaries are not often monitored or well delimited; thus, the
novel global distribution of an invasive taxon is not often accurately delimitated. A model species for highlighting criticisms about the scarce knowledge on the novel range was chosen. Brachidontes pharaonis is a mussel that has successfully colonised the Mediterranean Sea, following an immigration pathway through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, presumably from a wider Indo-Pacific area. In this case, the Indo-Pacific boundaries have been overlooked and are still misunderstood due to diverse causes, principally as the synonymy with the congeneric B. variabilis has created confusion in the taxonomic identification. The present review demonstrates that the borders of the B. pharaonis range
are still unclear and that the species should be analysed in a wider geographical area. Records of B. pharaonis from Southeast Asia should be treated with caution as this area is out of its range. The Indian and Pacific Oceans host the taxon B. variabilis, composed of two potential cryptic species. Data from the literature highlight the importance of the integrative taxonomic approach to solving various issues concerning the species group complex, morphological variations and cosmopolitan claims
of species.

Animals, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution

BIOLOGIA MARINA MEDITERRANEA, 2015

Macro-and meiofauna associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows colonized by the invasive alga Cau... more Macro-and meiofauna associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows colonized by the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla (Caulerpales) in southern Sicily were analyzed and compared with assemblages of control meadows from the same area. Independently from the degree of invasion (severe or partial), the affected macrofaunal assemblages significantly differed from the controls with the former ones characterized by an increase of molluscs and polychaetes and the decrease of crustaceans. Meiofaunal assemblages showed contrasting results being affected by severe algal invasion but not significantly differing from control assemblages under partial invasion conditions, suggesting some tolerance to the invader.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 1, 2019

Diversity

Backwards and forwards at once, the zoological checklists bring the past into the present and dra... more Backwards and forwards at once, the zoological checklists bring the past into the present and draw a direction towards the future [...]

Springer eBooks, 2022

In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of li... more In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of life sciences, allowing the collection of a wide range of data. Furthermore, the relationship between scientific investigations and conservation actions of cultural heritage is increasingly consolidated and now it is one of the peculiar points both for sustainable restoration and use of the cultural asset, also evaluating the cultural assets as source of biological information. In this study, Sicilian wolf (Canis lupus) specimens conserved in Sicilian Natural Museums, become a source of biological information on Sicilian biodiversity, establishing specific conservative protocol developed cooperatively with Sicilian Natural Museums. Using Next-Generation Sequencing technique, ancient DNA (aDNA) molecules extracted from nail were utilized to perform the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this genome, which was aligned with a number of historical and extant complete wolf and dog mtDNAs sampled worldwide, was closely related to an Italian wolf mtDNA genome. These mtDNA findings suggest that wolves probably colonized Sicily from southern Italy toward the end of the last Pleistocene glacial maximum, when the Strait of Messina was almost totally dry. Furthermore, a conservative restoration of this peculiar natural specimen (taxidermal preparation) has been performed, basing on: recovery of unglued or unstitched parts; revitalization of the colors of the mucous membranes; restoration of deformed or broken parts of the body, washing of the coat and polishing of the fur; specific treatments against woodworms, moths, and mites; brushing and repositioning of the hair; cleaning, restoration, or creation of adequate supports or display case. The conservative intervention that should be periodically performed on each taxidermized specimen allows the protection against biodeterioration or re-infestation by parasites over time.

Springer eBooks, 2022

In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of li... more In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of life sciences, allowing the collection of a wide range of data. Furthermore, the relationship between scientific investigations and conservation actions of cultural heritage is increasingly consolidated and now it is one of the peculiar points both for sustainable restoration and use of the cultural asset, also evaluating the cultural assets as source of biological information. In this study, Sicilian wolf (Canis lupus) specimens conserved in Sicilian Natural Museums, become a source of biological information on Sicilian biodiversity, establishing specific conservative protocol developed cooperatively with Sicilian Natural Museums. Using Next-Generation Sequencing technique, ancient DNA (aDNA) molecules extracted from nail were utilized to perform the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this genome, which was aligned with a number of historical and extant complete wolf and dog mtDNAs sampled worldwide, was closely related to an Italian wolf mtDNA genome. These mtDNA findings suggest that wolves probably colonized Sicily from southern Italy toward the end of the last Pleistocene glacial maximum, when the Strait of Messina was almost totally dry. Furthermore, a conservative restoration of this peculiar natural specimen (taxidermal preparation) has been performed, basing on: recovery of unglued or unstitched parts; revitalization of the colors of the mucous membranes; restoration of deformed or broken parts of the body, washing of the coat and polishing of the fur; specific treatments against woodworms, moths, and mites; brushing and repositioning of the hair; cleaning, restoration, or creation of adequate supports or display case. The conservative intervention that should be periodically performed on each taxidermized specimen allows the protection against biodeterioration or re-infestation by parasites over time.

Research Square (Research Square), Aug 25, 2021

A search from different kinds of sources has been carried out to review the incidence of Physalia... more A search from different kinds of sources has been carried out to review the incidence of Physalia physalis, the Portuguese man-of-war, in the Mediterranean Sea; scienti c and grey literature, social media, zoological museums were accessed. The records of the species were considered validated if documented with images or collected specimens. It was possible to date the putative rst record of Physalia physalis in the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to a couple of colonies preserved in a historical collection, originating from the Gulf of Naples in 1914. Some massive strandings occurred in localities of the Alboran Sea, area of entrance from the Atlantic from where the species spread mainly along the Sicilian waters, in the central Mediterranean Sea. The records from the Italian maritime regions were then subdivided into three categories of risk according to the season of occurrence. These categories were created to assign a level of danger for swimmers to the sightings of Physalia physalis. The increasing sightings of such a poisonous organism in coastal waters can represent a risk to human health, and also to all those activities linked to the marine tourism sector. The involvement of citizens and touristic structures for the early detection of Physalia physalis can play a key role in preventing encounters with the species, allowing marine tourist facilities to operate within a range of reasonable security.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 11, 2020

Natural History Museums are places of scientific dissemination and informal education, and have a... more Natural History Museums are places of scientific dissemination and informal education, and have a fundamental role in scientific research and in preserving the historical heritage of a territory and its biodiversity. The island of Sicily, thanks to its geographic position as an inter-continental bridge in the Mediterranean, presents a notable ornithological diversity, with both sedentary species and species that migrate between Africa and Europe. For this reason, and thanks to a strong hunting tradition, Sicilian collections also depict the avifaunal assemblage historically present in the region, particularly for birds of prey, the group we focus on because of its particular ecological characteristics and cultural interests. However, the partnership among museum institutions, generally and in Italy, is complex and fragmented, and thus a census of Sicilian raptors collections had not been attempted yet. This study presents data from 16 public museum institutions, reporting the presence in their collections more than 1800 specimens belonging to 64 species. This census presents a detailed estimate of the Sicilian museum patrimony regarding this charismatic group, which may constitute a starting point for future studies and contribute to the visibility, promotion and interconnection of the institutions involved.

Frontiers in Nutrition

The composition of free amino acids (FAAs) in seafood products contributes to characterizing thei... more The composition of free amino acids (FAAs) in seafood products contributes to characterizing their flavor, as well as freshness and quality during storage. Deep-water rose shrimps (Parapenaues longirostris, Lucas, 1846) (DWRS) are being increasingly harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, and the captured specimens are quickly frozen onboard fishing trawlers to preserve freshness and post-harvest quality. Here, we quantified the FAA profiles of DWRS packaged using five methods: (1) 100% N2; (2) vacuum; (3) 50% N2 + 50% CO2; (4) commercial anhydrous sodium sulfite; and (5) air (control). All samples were quickly frozen at −35°C and stored for 12 months at −18°C. Arginine (661 mg/100 g), proline (538 mg/100 g), and glycine (424 mg/100 g) were the most abundant FAAs, whereas the least abundant were tyrosine (67 mg/100 g), histidine (58 mg/100 g), and aspartic acid (34 mg/100 g). FAAs in all samples gradually (and significantly) increased in the first 6 to 8 months of storage, and then sign...

Ecologica Montenegrina, 2024

In recent decades, intense human activities and increased maritime transportation triggered heavy... more In recent decades, intense human activities and increased maritime transportation triggered heavy pressure on the Israeli coastal ecosystem and, meanwhile, the eastern Mediterranean experienced the highest temperature values. With the assumption that both kinds of anthropogenic drivers could alter the benthic taxocenosis, a monitoring survey covering a period ranging from 2010 to 2017 was addressed to assess changes in the macrozoobenthos on spatial and temporal scales. The present study focused on the crustacean amphipod fauna collected on the soft bottom littoral area. Twenty-five species and taxa (genus level) were detected under the temporal survey in the same stations, located along a north-south axis, from the northernmost Haifa Bay to the southern area. The dataset showed a temporally stable assemblage of the most common species. Seven species showed the greatest abundance and a constant presence: the Levantine endemic Cheiriphotis mediterranea; the Mediterranean endemic Megaluropus massiliensis; the NE-Atlantic–Mediterranean Bathyporeia guilliamsoniana and Perioculodes longimanus; and the widely distributed Photis longicaudata and Urothoe grimaldii. In addition, an alien species was recorded, the circumtropical aorid Grandidierella bonnieroides which resulted naturalized. Differently, the spatial dataset discriminated two geographical regions, the northernmost Haifa Bay and the remaining Southern Israeli Coast, based on the different substratum granulometry. On the whole, the Israeli assemblage showed a low diversity composed of dominant species strictly associated with the features of the sediment and characterised by local abundance fluctuations. It is a pattern that provides baseline knowledge for successive monitoring years and contributes to implementing the knowledge of the ecological traits of amphipod fauna.

Ecologica Montenegrina, 2024

The occurrence of a carangoliopsid amphipod species in the bathyal eastern Mediterranean Sea is h... more The occurrence of a carangoliopsid amphipod species in the bathyal eastern Mediterranean Sea is herein presented. The species, Carangoliopsis spinulosa, belongs to a monotype genus and it seems to be widespread in the Atlantic-Mediterranean region. Carangoliopsis spinulosa was previously recorded in the bathyal western Mediterranean Sea and was thought to be not abundant in the easternmost Levantine area. The recent and present data confirm a major range extension than it is expected.

Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023

The present study, based on microsatellite markers, describes a population genetic analysis of th... more The present study, based on microsatellite markers, describes a population genetic analysis of the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758), representing one of the most abundant and commonly caught cartilaginous fishes in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent areas. The analyses were performed to unravel the genetic features (variability, connectivity, sexbiased dispersal) of their relative geographic populations, both at the small (around the coast of Sardinia, Western Mediterranean Sea) and at a larger spatial scale (pan-Mediterranean level and between the Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea). Individual clustering, multivariate and variance analyses rejected the hypothesis of genetic homogeneity, with significant genetic differences mainly within the Mediterranean between the Western and Eastern basins, as well as between the Mediterranean and the NE Atlantic Ocean. In detail, our results seem to confirm that the Strait of Gibraltar could not represent a complete barrier to the exchange of individuals of small-spotted catshark between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. In the latter area, a complex genetic structuring for S. canicula was found. Apart from differences among the Western, Eastern and Adriatic sites, within the Western basin the small-spotted catsharks around Sardinian waters are strongly differentiated from all others (both from the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea and southernmost part of the
Algerian basin) and are demographically stable. Several possible mechanisms, both biological and abiotic (e.g., migratory behavior, waterfronts, and oceanographic discontinuities), are discussed here to explain their peculiar characteristics. Overall, the genetic data presented, both at the local and regional level, could represent a baseline information, useful for the temporal monitoring of populations, and to assess the effects of present or future fishing/management/conservation measures.

BioInvasions Records, 2024

This paper presents the first overview of aquatic alien invertebrate species (AIS) in the three m... more This paper presents the first overview of aquatic alien invertebrate species (AIS) in the three major river basins (Tigris, Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab) in southern Iraq. The results are based on field studies undertaken in 2021 and 2022. Thirteen AIS have been recorded. Three of them are “old invaders” (first recorded in the early 19th century to 1970), two species are “intermediate invaders” (first recorded between 1970 to 1990) and eight are “new invaders” (first recorded after 2000). The number of AIS has been growing substantially since 2000. The highest AIS number is recorded in the Shatt-Al-Arab (11 species), a middle number in the Euphrates basin (10 species) and the lowest number in the Tigris (6 species). On the whole, 31% of the recorded species originate from Southern America or Northern
America, 23% from Asia, 8% from Southern Europe, Africa and Southern Asia, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa and Northern America, 7% from New Zealand, and the Caspian Sea. Most AIS were likely introduced unintentionally. The study demonstrated that many AIS, like e.g. Macrobrachium nipponense, have been collected both from the
upper and the lower sections of the study rivers providing successful examples of aquatic AIS that can establish populations in fresh and brackish waters. The compiled species list is a first step toward the management of the invasive species that are now present in rivers of southern Iraq. It provides a basis for the creation of monitoring programs, early detection initiatives, and quick responses to prevent future invasions in the Tigris-Euphrates and Shatt Al-Arab basins.

Diversity, Jun 29, 2024

The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of... more The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of a species, while scattered literature is addressed to a correct systematic assessment and an updated geographical distribution on the whole. It is noteworthy that non-indigenous species should be monitored on both sides of their range, i.e., towards the front of dispersal and beyond the original range. The backside range boundaries are not often monitored or well delimited; thus, the novel global distribution of an invasive taxon is not often accurately delimitated. A model species for highlighting criticisms about the scarce knowledge on the novel range was chosen. Brachidontes pharaonis is a mussel that has successfully colonised the Mediterranean Sea, following an immigration pathway through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, presumably from a wider Indo-Pacific area. In this case, the Indo-Pacific boundaries have been overlooked and are still misunderstood due to diverse causes, principally as the synonymy with the congeneric B. variabilis has created confusion in the taxonomic identification. The present review demonstrates that the borders of the B. pharaonis range are still unclear and that the species should be analysed in a wider geographical area. Records of B. pharaonis from Southeast Asia should be treated with caution as this area is out of its range. The Indian and Pacific Oceans host the taxon B. variabilis, composed of two potential cryptic species. Data from the literature highlight the importance of the integrative taxonomic approach to solving various issues concerning the species group complex, morphological variations and cosmopolitan claims of species.

Animals, Mar 23, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Records of The Australian Museum, Dec 5, 2023

We provide an overview of the World Amphipoda Database (WAD), a global species database that is p... more We provide an overview of the World Amphipoda Database (WAD), a global species database that is part of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Launched in 2013, the database contains entries for over 10,500 accepted species names. Edited currently by 31 amphipod taxonomists, following WoRMS priorities, the WAD has at least one editor per major group. All accepted species are checked by the editors, as is the authorship available for all of the names. The higher classification is documented for every species and a type species is recorded for every genus name. This constitutes five of the 13 priorities for completion, set by WoRMS. In 2015, five LifeWatch grants were allocated for WAD activities. These included a general training workshop in 2016, together with data input for the superfamily Lysianassoidea and for a number of non-marine groups. Philanthropy grants in 2019 and 2021 covered more important gaps across the whole group. Further work remains to complete the linking of unaccepted names, original descriptions, and environmental information. Once these tasks are completed, the database will be considered complete for 8 of the 13 priorities, and efforts will continue to input new taxa annually and focus on the remaining priorities, particularly the input of type localities. We give an overview of the current status of the order Amphipoda, providing counts of the number of genera and species within each family belonging to the six suborders currently recognized.

Ecologica Montenegrina, 2024

One of the primary goals in assessing marine biodiversity is to measure the degree of species ric... more One of the primary goals in assessing marine biodiversity is to measure the degree of species richness in specific geographical areas. We know that biodiversity is declining mainly due to human-induced pressures, but, at the same time, we don't know the extent of abundance and distribution of many species such as the ones ascribable to neglected groups (Schimmenti et al. 2016; Lo Brutto & Iaciofano 2020). Under the framework of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), recently funded in Italy (Cena & Labra 2024), a survey on marine biodiversity was conducted aiming to detect rare or overlooked species in Sicily. The present paper reports the water mite identified as Litarachna duboscqi collected in March 2024 from nautical ropes in the harbour of Trapani (Sicily). It is the first record for southern Italy and the central Mediterranean Sea. Sicily is the largest island (more than 25,000 km 2) in the Mediterranean Sea with approximately 1,400 km of coastline, bounding the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, the Ionian Sea to the east and the Strait of Sicily to the south. It represents a strategic natural observatory for monitoring Italian marine biodiversity.

Diversity, 2024

The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of... more The studies on the bioinvasion phenomenon focus mainly on the biological and ecological traits of a species, while scattered literature is addressed to a correct systematic assessment and an updated geographical distribution on the whole. It is noteworthy that non-indigenous species should be monitored on both sides of their range, i.e., towards the front of dispersal and beyond the original range. The backside range boundaries are not often monitored or well delimited; thus, the
novel global distribution of an invasive taxon is not often accurately delimitated. A model species for highlighting criticisms about the scarce knowledge on the novel range was chosen. Brachidontes pharaonis is a mussel that has successfully colonised the Mediterranean Sea, following an immigration pathway through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, presumably from a wider Indo-Pacific area. In this case, the Indo-Pacific boundaries have been overlooked and are still misunderstood due to diverse causes, principally as the synonymy with the congeneric B. variabilis has created confusion in the taxonomic identification. The present review demonstrates that the borders of the B. pharaonis range
are still unclear and that the species should be analysed in a wider geographical area. Records of B. pharaonis from Southeast Asia should be treated with caution as this area is out of its range. The Indian and Pacific Oceans host the taxon B. variabilis, composed of two potential cryptic species. Data from the literature highlight the importance of the integrative taxonomic approach to solving various issues concerning the species group complex, morphological variations and cosmopolitan claims
of species.

Animals, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution

BIOLOGIA MARINA MEDITERRANEA, 2015

Macro-and meiofauna associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows colonized by the invasive alga Cau... more Macro-and meiofauna associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows colonized by the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla (Caulerpales) in southern Sicily were analyzed and compared with assemblages of control meadows from the same area. Independently from the degree of invasion (severe or partial), the affected macrofaunal assemblages significantly differed from the controls with the former ones characterized by an increase of molluscs and polychaetes and the decrease of crustaceans. Meiofaunal assemblages showed contrasting results being affected by severe algal invasion but not significantly differing from control assemblages under partial invasion conditions, suggesting some tolerance to the invader.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 1, 2019

Diversity

Backwards and forwards at once, the zoological checklists bring the past into the present and dra... more Backwards and forwards at once, the zoological checklists bring the past into the present and draw a direction towards the future [...]

Springer eBooks, 2022

In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of li... more In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of life sciences, allowing the collection of a wide range of data. Furthermore, the relationship between scientific investigations and conservation actions of cultural heritage is increasingly consolidated and now it is one of the peculiar points both for sustainable restoration and use of the cultural asset, also evaluating the cultural assets as source of biological information. In this study, Sicilian wolf (Canis lupus) specimens conserved in Sicilian Natural Museums, become a source of biological information on Sicilian biodiversity, establishing specific conservative protocol developed cooperatively with Sicilian Natural Museums. Using Next-Generation Sequencing technique, ancient DNA (aDNA) molecules extracted from nail were utilized to perform the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this genome, which was aligned with a number of historical and extant complete wolf and dog mtDNAs sampled worldwide, was closely related to an Italian wolf mtDNA genome. These mtDNA findings suggest that wolves probably colonized Sicily from southern Italy toward the end of the last Pleistocene glacial maximum, when the Strait of Messina was almost totally dry. Furthermore, a conservative restoration of this peculiar natural specimen (taxidermal preparation) has been performed, basing on: recovery of unglued or unstitched parts; revitalization of the colors of the mucous membranes; restoration of deformed or broken parts of the body, washing of the coat and polishing of the fur; specific treatments against woodworms, moths, and mites; brushing and repositioning of the hair; cleaning, restoration, or creation of adequate supports or display case. The conservative intervention that should be periodically performed on each taxidermized specimen allows the protection against biodeterioration or re-infestation by parasites over time.

Springer eBooks, 2022

In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of li... more In last decades, biotechnologies have enabled a deep development of knowledge in all fields of life sciences, allowing the collection of a wide range of data. Furthermore, the relationship between scientific investigations and conservation actions of cultural heritage is increasingly consolidated and now it is one of the peculiar points both for sustainable restoration and use of the cultural asset, also evaluating the cultural assets as source of biological information. In this study, Sicilian wolf (Canis lupus) specimens conserved in Sicilian Natural Museums, become a source of biological information on Sicilian biodiversity, establishing specific conservative protocol developed cooperatively with Sicilian Natural Museums. Using Next-Generation Sequencing technique, ancient DNA (aDNA) molecules extracted from nail were utilized to perform the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this genome, which was aligned with a number of historical and extant complete wolf and dog mtDNAs sampled worldwide, was closely related to an Italian wolf mtDNA genome. These mtDNA findings suggest that wolves probably colonized Sicily from southern Italy toward the end of the last Pleistocene glacial maximum, when the Strait of Messina was almost totally dry. Furthermore, a conservative restoration of this peculiar natural specimen (taxidermal preparation) has been performed, basing on: recovery of unglued or unstitched parts; revitalization of the colors of the mucous membranes; restoration of deformed or broken parts of the body, washing of the coat and polishing of the fur; specific treatments against woodworms, moths, and mites; brushing and repositioning of the hair; cleaning, restoration, or creation of adequate supports or display case. The conservative intervention that should be periodically performed on each taxidermized specimen allows the protection against biodeterioration or re-infestation by parasites over time.

Research Square (Research Square), Aug 25, 2021

A search from different kinds of sources has been carried out to review the incidence of Physalia... more A search from different kinds of sources has been carried out to review the incidence of Physalia physalis, the Portuguese man-of-war, in the Mediterranean Sea; scienti c and grey literature, social media, zoological museums were accessed. The records of the species were considered validated if documented with images or collected specimens. It was possible to date the putative rst record of Physalia physalis in the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to a couple of colonies preserved in a historical collection, originating from the Gulf of Naples in 1914. Some massive strandings occurred in localities of the Alboran Sea, area of entrance from the Atlantic from where the species spread mainly along the Sicilian waters, in the central Mediterranean Sea. The records from the Italian maritime regions were then subdivided into three categories of risk according to the season of occurrence. These categories were created to assign a level of danger for swimmers to the sightings of Physalia physalis. The increasing sightings of such a poisonous organism in coastal waters can represent a risk to human health, and also to all those activities linked to the marine tourism sector. The involvement of citizens and touristic structures for the early detection of Physalia physalis can play a key role in preventing encounters with the species, allowing marine tourist facilities to operate within a range of reasonable security.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 11, 2020

Natural History Museums are places of scientific dissemination and informal education, and have a... more Natural History Museums are places of scientific dissemination and informal education, and have a fundamental role in scientific research and in preserving the historical heritage of a territory and its biodiversity. The island of Sicily, thanks to its geographic position as an inter-continental bridge in the Mediterranean, presents a notable ornithological diversity, with both sedentary species and species that migrate between Africa and Europe. For this reason, and thanks to a strong hunting tradition, Sicilian collections also depict the avifaunal assemblage historically present in the region, particularly for birds of prey, the group we focus on because of its particular ecological characteristics and cultural interests. However, the partnership among museum institutions, generally and in Italy, is complex and fragmented, and thus a census of Sicilian raptors collections had not been attempted yet. This study presents data from 16 public museum institutions, reporting the presence in their collections more than 1800 specimens belonging to 64 species. This census presents a detailed estimate of the Sicilian museum patrimony regarding this charismatic group, which may constitute a starting point for future studies and contribute to the visibility, promotion and interconnection of the institutions involved.

Frontiers in Nutrition

The composition of free amino acids (FAAs) in seafood products contributes to characterizing thei... more The composition of free amino acids (FAAs) in seafood products contributes to characterizing their flavor, as well as freshness and quality during storage. Deep-water rose shrimps (Parapenaues longirostris, Lucas, 1846) (DWRS) are being increasingly harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, and the captured specimens are quickly frozen onboard fishing trawlers to preserve freshness and post-harvest quality. Here, we quantified the FAA profiles of DWRS packaged using five methods: (1) 100% N2; (2) vacuum; (3) 50% N2 + 50% CO2; (4) commercial anhydrous sodium sulfite; and (5) air (control). All samples were quickly frozen at −35°C and stored for 12 months at −18°C. Arginine (661 mg/100 g), proline (538 mg/100 g), and glycine (424 mg/100 g) were the most abundant FAAs, whereas the least abundant were tyrosine (67 mg/100 g), histidine (58 mg/100 g), and aspartic acid (34 mg/100 g). FAAs in all samples gradually (and significantly) increased in the first 6 to 8 months of storage, and then sign...