Next Article in Journal
Classification of the Genus Harpalus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the World Based on Imaginal Morphology
Next Article in Special Issue
Polychaete Diversity and Functional Trait Composition in Subtropical Mangrove Ecosystems
Previous Article in Journal
Phylogenetic Constraints and Ecological Implications of Gut Bacterial Communities in Necrophagous Flies
Previous Article in Special Issue
Can the Empty Shells of Pinna nobilis Maintain the Ecological Role of the Species? A Structural and Functional Analysis of the Associated Mollusc Fauna
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Diversity
Volume 15
Issue 9
10.3390/d15090972
diversity-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Syngnathid Species in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea)

by
Tamara Lazic
1,
Cataldo Pierri
1,*,
Giuseppe Corriero
1,
Maria Flavia Gravina
2,
Michele Gristina
3,
Miriam Ravisato
1 and
Armando Macali
4
1
Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
2
Department of Biology, University of Rome ‘’Tor Vergata’’, 00133 Rome, Italy
3
Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment (IAS), National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy
4
Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Ichthyogenic Experimental Marine Centre (CISMAR), Tuscia University, 01016 Tarquinia, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Diversity 2023, 15(9), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090972
Submission received: 26 July 2023 / Revised: 25 August 2023 / Accepted: 26 August 2023 / Published: 28 August 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Investigation of the Biology, Ecology, Distribution of Marine Macrozoobenthic Communities)
Browse Figures
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Syngnathids are considered flagship species of estuarine and coastal environments. However, most of the Mediterranean species are still classified as data-deficient (DD) at a global level according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In central Italy, several areas host potentially suitable habitats for syngnathids but have not been previously reported in the literature; the estimation of population parameters and habitat partitioning at these sites may help to assess their conservation status. In this study, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences of sympatric populations of Hippocampus hippocampus, H. guttulatus, Syngnathus abaster, and Nerophis ophidion in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). While confirming the primary importance of a healthy coastal habitat, we retrieved hints about species ecology and habitat use. The species distribution in the study area highlights the role of habitat complexity in supporting local populations of these sensitive species.

1. Introduction

Worldwide, species whose habitats overlap with human activities are considered to be under major conservation risk [1]. Environmental and anthropogenic threats, including climate changes, land-based pollution, and coastal eutrophication, usually have higher impacts in shallow coastal zones subjected to simultaneous acts of multiple pressures [2,3,4].
Among shallow coastal zones, coastal lakes and estuaries play an important role for many fish species, including syngnathids [5,6,7,8]. These charismatic fish have unique life cycle traits, such as a restricted home range, low mobility, and reduced reproductive output, which make them susceptible to direct and indirect threats; these include the degradation of habitats [9], incidental capture in fishing gear [10], and aquarium trade [11]. Moreover, the use of syngnathids (especially seahorses) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a widespread issue with a more recent emergence in the Mediterranean Sea [12]. Consequently, all syngnathids have been listed in Appendix II of CITES and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [13]; according to the latter, most syngnathids in the Mediterranean Sea are classified as data-deficient on a global level [13], indicating an urgent need for further research to fill the information gap and permit adequate conservation of these sensitive fishes. Monitoring of syngnathids, however, is considered difficult due to their cryptic nature and sedentary behaviour. Indeed, available data on diversity, distribution, threats, and conservation status in the Mediterranean are mostly fragmented, and an updated overview is required to facilitate the identification of research and conservation priorities. Although syngnathids act as flagship species of the marine conservation effort as well as indicators of the health and diversity of coastal ecosystems [13], most of the research in the Mediterranean Sea has referred to seahorses on a local scale, e.g., [12,14,15,16,17], while studies on pipefishes are lacking and have been mostly limited to generic biodiversity projects and lifecycle studies [18,19,20]. Only a few studies have specifically focused on evaluating pipefish population dynamics, ecology, and spatial distribution [19,21], but most have referred to Turkey [22,23], Tunisia [24], and Spain [25], with only a few studies on the northern Italian Adriatic coast [19,21,26,27].
In this paper, we report, for the first time, the occurrence of a structured assemblage of four syngnathid species in Sabaudia Lake to determine their distribution and abundance while also investigating habitat association. The collected data will aid future population assessments at this site and provide valuable hints for future conservation efforts for these species. Estimating the conservation status of populations could benefit from knowledge about their distribution [8,28]. Effective conservation and management plans for syngnathid populations require improved and accurate information about their current spatial distribution and preferred habitats.

2. Materials and Methods

Sabaudia Lake (Figure 1), also known as Paola Lake (41°16′50′′ N, 13°02′40′′ E), is the largest of four coastal lakes within Circeo National Park (CNP) in Latium, Italy. The lake is designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI IT6040013) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under Habitat Directive 92/43/EEC. It has a long, narrow shape with a central section oriented in a northwest–southeast direction and five transversal branches that bring freshwater inputs from the surrounding landscape through small tributaries. Despite its protected status, the lake has faced various human impacts in recent decades, such as sewage discharge, fishing, tourism, boat traffic, and mariculture (including shellfish harvesting) [29,30]. The lake is connected to the sea via two tidal inlets, the Roman Channel (RC) on the southern side and the Caterattino Channel (CC) on the northern side, allowing for water exchange between the lake and the sea.
The lake mouth areas of both the primary and secondary channels are regularly influenced by lake and seawater flows according to the tidal phase, although the CC is frequently barred by sandy mounds that prevent the continuity of lake–sea exchanges.
As in most shallow Mediterranean coastal lagoons, hydrodynamic processes at this site are driven by the combined effects of the tide and wind, which promote horizontal advection and vertical turbulent diffusion [31,32,33]. The spatial distribution of macrobenthic communities varies seasonally according to the hierarchy of forcing environmental conditions [29]. The spatial distribution and biodiversity of molluscan assemblages mirror the levels of the tide- and wind-induced kinetic energy; indeed, maximum species diversity is observed where energy levels are high (RC inlets area with a dominance of coarse sediment and low depth), and diversity significantly declines in landward positions where there is a lower level of kinetic energy, associated with the dominance of fine sediments [29]. The decreasing trend of species richness from the inlet mouth to the inner lagoon zones agrees with the “confinement gradient” [29,34,35], suggesting that RC inlets, rather than CC inlets, can be considered zones of maximum spatial extension of marine influence.

2.1. Sampling Stations and Data Collection

A preliminary survey to assess the presence of syngnathids was conducted across Sabaudia Lake, including areas of the Roman Channel and artificial walls around the sea mouth. A subsequent fieldwork study was carried out in March 2022 by four experienced operators while scuba diving and snorkelling. According to the high degree of ecosystem patchiness, 11 stations (Figure 2) were selected and monitored using a standard underwater census (UVC) [36] carried out on two standard linear 50 m transects. For each sighted syngnathid, the species, sex, total length, and sexual maturity stage according to [37] were recorded in situ. To retrieve additional biometric data, encountered specimens were photographed following Curtis et al. [38]. Information on salinity and temperature, as well as hydrodynamism and the influence of the sea on the ecological dynamics of the lagoon, were obtained from [29]. Ecological characterisation of the sampling stations, including descriptions of substrates and species, was performed following [29]. In cases of doubt regarding habitat-forming or dominant species identification, samples were taken, fixed in 96% ethanol, and then analysed in the laboratory.

2.2. Data Analysis

Differences in syngnathid assemblages composition at each station were assessed using an nMDS analysis of the abundance matrix based on square root transformed data. Five areas were identified in relation to their position with respect to communication channels with the sea, namely (A) the innermost parts of the area influenced by tidal currents (St 1–3), (B) inlet areas of different channellings (St 4–6), (C) an internal and protected area almost excluded from tidal influence (St 7), (D) a secondary channelling and its starting point (St 8 and 9), and (E) the Roman channel (St 10 and 11). To test the significance of the observed differences among stations, ANOVA was performed on the abundance matrix using the same experimental design. Data were analysed using the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity measure on square root transformed data with 9999 permutations of residuals under a reduced model. All analyses were performed using PRIMER 6.0 software.

3. Results

3.1. Habitat Characterisation

The average depth was approximately 1.5 m, with a maximum of 3.5 m at St 3 and St 10 and a minimum of 0.5 m at St 1, 4, and 5 and St 8–11 (Table 1). Habitat characterisation (Table 1) revealed the widespread presence of muddy bottoms often associated with fine vegetal deposits, consisting mainly of Posidonia oceanica rhizomes fibres, with Chaetomorpha sp. beds in the inner lake parts (Figure 2; St 1–3, 5, 7). C. nodosa meadows occurred sparsely in most areas near RC inlets in association with unconsolidated bottoms. The RC presented two well-defined and distinct aspects: shallow sandbars with high tidal currents at St 11 and sparse rocks and coarse shell-bearing sands associated with terrestrial and marine plant detritus, including tree branches, P. oceanica rhizomes, and detached thalli of Codium spp., at St 10. These sites were impacted by litter items mainly originating from marine inputs; the same items were also observed in the primary and secondary channels (St 8, 9). As displayed by macrobenthic assemblage and seabed granulometry, St 3 and St 7 were the most influenced by lake conditions. Although St 3 was located approximately 600 m from the RC mouth (Figure 2), it was more affected by marine waters than St 7, as inferred from the presence of scattered C. nodosa meadows (Figure 3).
St 7, located in a bend on the southern basin shore, was excluded from the direct influence of lake–sea water exchanges and presented a muddy seabed. The presence of Chaetomorpha spp. and Ulva spp. supported eutrophic conditions as a direct consequence of the weak hydrodynamics of the water column.
The values of salinity and temperature mostly referred to marine and lagoon environments according to the tidal phase, with T °C = 18.8 °C and salinity = 37.8 psu during high tide and T °C= 14.9 °C and salinity = 28.2 psu during low tide for all stations, except for St 3 and 7, where T °C= 14 ° C and salinity = 23 psu.
Hydrodynamism promoted by sea–lake tidal exchanges reached its maximum values at St 11, where RC had the lowest depth and broadness. Near St 10, this channel widened, and the current energy progressively decreased towards the lake.

3.2. Syngnathid Population

A total of 125 individuals belonging to four species (corresponding to 27% of the syngnathid species recorded for the Mediterranean) were observed: 11 (2F + 9M) Hippocampus guttulatus, 59 (20F + 39M) H. hippocampus, 19 (2F + 17M) Nerophis ophidion, and 37 (8F + 29M) Syngnathus abaster.
The sex ratio was in favour of males in all species. The total length (TL) of H. guttulatus and H. hippocampus ranged from 7 to 13.5 cm, while the lengths of N. ophidion and S. abaster varied between 11 and 15.5 cm and 9.5 and 13 cm, respectively (Figure 4).
N. ophidion had the widest distribution, being found in the innermost area (St 1, St 2, and St 3) in co-occurrence with S. abaster as well as near the two inlet areas of the primary and secondary channels (St 4, St 5, and St 6). At St 8 and St 9, only H. hippocampus and H. guttulatus were found. No syngnathid species were recorded at St 7 (located in a bend of the basin), St 10, or St 11 (directly influenced by marine inputs) (Figure 5).
ANOVA revealed notable variations in the composition and relative abundance of communities at different stations. At the innermost stations specifically, only pipefishes were recorded, while the estuary contained both pipefishes and seahorses; in the channels, only seahorses were observed. These dissimilarities can be observed in the graphical representation of the populations (Figure 6) based on the same similarity matrix.

4. Discussion

This study provides the first evidence of the occurrence of Hippocampus guttulatus, H. hippocampus, Syngnathus abaster, and Nerophis ophidion in Sabaudia Lake. The number of individuals of four species was relatively high considering the extension of investigated habitats, and the observed scattered distribution is consistent with that observed in previous studies e.g., [6,16,39,40], suggesting that syngnathids display patchy distributions even on small spatial scales. It should be noted, however, that the numbers recorded in this work are conservative estimates of the species distributions in habitats and are certainly strongly influenced by the sampling method used. The need to standardise sampling efforts led to the choice of the underwater visual transects technique [36], which seems the most suitable for the census of seahorse populations, but it is probably less suitable for pipefishes; such a choice could have led to the underestimation of pipefish abundance, as these fishes are more difficult to observe in nature with respect to seahorses due to their morphology, preference towards vegetated habitats, and often small body dimensions. Indeed, the use of manual instruments (such as hand nets or beach seines) in the upper infralittoral plane may offer more realistic estimates of pipefish species and abundance but could heavily underestimate the number of observed seahorses, with values often reduced to zero (Pierri and Ravisato, unpublished data).
The coastal systems in which syngnathids usually occur are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic factors [5,41,42]. All species are currently listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [13], and most of the species have been listed as data-deficient (eight out of ten in European waters; see Supplementary Material Table S1) with special concerns for seahorses, freshwater pipefishes, and estuarine species. Sensitivity to human-related disturbances is enhanced by their unique life cycle traits, including low mobility, site fidelity, and lengthy parental care [8,14,16,17,43,44]. As highlighted by IUCN World Conservation Congress Resolution 95 (WCC-2020-Res-095), syngnathid populations should be further protected, as human activities together with climate changes are causing widespread degradation of these species’ habitats on a worldwide level, while also underlining the need to enhance available knowledge and thus promote conservation actions. Globally, most of the current information is based on studies on a few populations that have been extensively researched, e.g., [17,20,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52]. Most of this attention, however, has been dedicated to seahorses, and it was gained after severe declines in populations [7,15,51,53,54,55,56] whose causes are still not fully elucidated [12,15,51]. The presence of syngnathids represents a good indicator of the ecological status of habitats and could provide ideas for new models for validating the environmental quality of water bodies that have been historically subjected to anthropogenic pressures, such as confined areas. Indeed, the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020 highlighted the fundamental role of syngnathids as sentinel organisms of structural environmental variations.
According to the available literature, it seems that the highest syngnathid abundances are reached in confined environments, including lagoons and estuaries [43,57,58]. Although it is still not clear which are the abiotic and biotic factors that ensure their presence, it is known that seahorses have a somewhat restricted optimum range for several environmental parameters [59,60], while pipefishes seem to have a wider tolerance to, for instance, salinity values [61,62,63,64,65]. The reliance of syngnathids on seagrass structural complexity as a form of shelter against hydrodynamic stress was recently suggested [65]; indeed, it seems that the deterioration of these habitats can have a significant effect on the energy expenditure of these fishes. Global decline, fragmentation, and loss of structural complexity in biogenic habitats significantly contribute to a reduction in hydrodynamically sheltered habitats, thus resulting in increased energy expenditure among associated fauna and possibly contributing to population declines [66]. The observed distribution of pipefishes in the study area highlights the role of habitat complexity in supporting local populations, in contrast to Hippocampus spp., which seem to have a greater tolerance to kinetic features. According to the results, seahorses were found at the most hydrodynamic stations (St 8, St 9) and seem to display a stronger dependency on holdfasts (vegetal detritus) [16,67] than habitat complexity. Different habitat complexities may also result in different benthic communities; thus, the role of trophic niche partitioning in describing species distributions cannot be excluded [45,68,69].
As for most Mediterranean lagoons, the morphology of Sabaudia Lake inlets is artificially modified, with the functionality of tidal channels depending upon maintenance and dredging to contrast their silting up. The missed management of artificial inlets due to the reduction in fishing efforts using inlet fish barriers has led to a reduction in the exchanges with the sea and a consequent reduction in marine migrants during the winter season. This has resulted in adverse effects on the water quality of the entire lagoon [30]; it has also promoted the massive intrusion of marine sediments and organic detritus in the inner mouths, boosting habitat fragmentation. The patchy distribution of Cymodocea nodosa meadows in the studied area suggests a possible effect of strong marine intrusion on its integrity.
The mean size of the recorded fishes in this study was within the range documented for other areas in the Mediterranean Sea [22,23,24,25,70]. According to the results, the sex ratio was slightly in favour of males; it was suggested that there may be a different ratio of mortality between males and females, as males may be more susceptible to predation when brooding [71], although this does not seem to be the case in Sabaudia.
H. hippocampus appeared to be the most common species, while H. guttulatus was relatively rare; such a species ratio is somewhat peculiar, as H. hippocampus is usually much less abundant when co-occurring [12,15,39,49]. However, such a ratio might be explained by the higher availability of low-complexity and muddy habitats, which seem to be preferred by H. hippocampus [12,72]. One of the recorded species, N. ophidion, was reported to be common throughout its global range, but abundance estimates are scattered and rarely recorded in Italian waters [21,73]. Another pipefish species, S. abaster, is considered one of the most representative European syngnathids [74,75]. The available data on syngnathid populations in the Mediterranean Sea indicate spatial variability in distribution and abundance [21,75] and the apparent preference of these fishes for confined areas [5,7,39,42,70,76,77]. Such variability could be influenced by the extension and integrity of suitable habitats and the structure of epifauna assemblages [14,69,75,78] in correlation with the physical characteristics of the site [79]; however, their presence within virtually suitable confined areas cannot be considered a rule [16].
The present study is the first to describe the distribution and abundance of four syngnathids species at Sabaudia Lake and investigate their habitat preferences. The results and previous observations (Macali, unpublished data) indicate that these populations are temporarily stable. The conservation of syngnathids should be a priority for biological and ecological reasons and their intrinsic value [5,80]. Future research should aim at the year-round characterisation of syngnathids in Sabaudia Lake to assess eventual abundance changes, as observed in many other localities across their geographical range [19,68]. Furthermore, future research should also be oriented towards locating and describing hitherto unknown populations, which would be valuable for understanding large-scale distribution and ecology and could help preserve emblematic syngnathids.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/d15090972/s1, Table S1: Biological and ecological characteristics of syngnathid species registered for Italian waters with indication of their conservation status according to the IUCN. NT: Near threatened, DD: Data deficient. AS: Artificial substrates, Cor: Coralligenous, DCBWH: Detritic coarse bottom with holdfasts, MB: Muddy bottom, PB: Phanerogams beds, RBWAC: Rocky bottom with algal coverage, SBWAC: Sandy bottom with algal coverage, SBWH: Sandy bottom without holdfasts.

Author Contributions

Conceptualisation, G.C. and A.M.; investigation and methodology, A.M., M.G., C.P., M.F.G. and T.L.; formal analysis and data curation, A.M. and C.P., writing—original draft preparation, A.M., C.P., T.L., M.R., M.F.G. and M.G.; writing—review and editing, A.M., C.P., T.L., M.R. and M.G. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The authors are available to share the data collected upon justified request to the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Kerr, J.T.; Currie, D.J. Effects of human activity on global extinction risk. Conserv. Biol. 1995, 9, 1528–1538. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. Lotze, H.K.; Lenihan, H.S.; Bourque, B.J.; Bradbury, R.H.; Cooke, R.G.; Kay, M.C.; Kidwell, S.M.; Kirby, M.X.; Peterson, C.H.; Jackson, J.B. Depletion, degradation, and recovery potential of estuaries and coastal seas. Science 2006, 312, 1806–1809. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Crain, C.M.; Kroeker, K.; Halpern, B.S. Interactive and cumulative effects of multiple human stressors in marine systems. Ecol. Let. 2008, 11, 1304–1315. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  4. Crain, C.M.; Halpern, B.S.; Beck, M.W.; Kappel, C.V. Understanding and managing human threats to the coastal marine environment. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 2009, 1162, 39–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Pierri, C.; Lazic, T.; Gristina, M.; Corriero, G.; Sinopoli, M. Large-scale distribution of the European seahorses (Hippocampus Rafinesque, 1810): A systematic review. Biology 2022, 11, 325. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Lim, A.; Chee, O.; Chong, V.; Wong, C.; Choo, C.K. Diversity, habitats and onservation Threats of Syngnathid (Syngnathidae) Fishes in Malaysia. Trop. Zool. 2011, 24, 193–222. [Google Scholar]
  7. Vincent, A.C.J.; Foster, S.J.; Koldewey, H.J. Conservation and management of seahorses and other Syngnathidae. J. Fish Biol. 2011, 78, 1681–1724. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  8. Claassens, L.; Hodgson, A.; Short, G.; Harasti, D. Diversity, distribution, ecology and conservation status of the family Syngnathidae in sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent islands. In Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 1st ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2022; Volume 60, pp. 169–242. ISBN 978-1-00-328860-2. [Google Scholar]
  9. Olden, J.D.; Hogan, Z.S.; Zanden, M.J.V. Small fish, big fish, red fish, blue fish: Size-biased extinction risk of the world’s freshwater and marine fishes. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 2007, 16, 694–701. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Vincent, A.C.J. The International Trade in Seahorses; Species in Danger; Traffic International: Cambridge, UK, 1996; ISBN 9781858500980. [Google Scholar]
  11. Salin, K.R.; Yohannan, T.M.; Mohanakumaran Nair, C. Fisheries and Trade of Seahorses, Hippocampus spp., in Southern India. Fish. Manag. 2005, 12, 269–273. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Correia, M.; Paulo, D.; Samara, E.; Koulouri, P.; Mentogiannis, V.; Dounas, C. Field studies of seahorse population density, structure and habitat use in a semi-closed north-eastern Mediterranean marine area (Stratoni, North Aegean Sea). J. Fish Biol. 2020, 97, 314–317. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Iucn, Red List of Threatened Species. 2022. Available online: http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (accessed on 15 March 2023).
  14. Curtis, J.M.R.; Vincent, A.C.J. Life history of an unusual marine fish: Survival, growth and movement patterns of Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier 1829. J. Fish Biol. 2006, 68, 707–733. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Correia, M.; Caldwell, I.R.; Koldewey, H.J.; Andrade, J.P.; Palma, J. Seahorse (Hippocampinae) population fluctuations in the ria Formosa lagoon, south Portugal. J. Fish Biol. 2015, 87, 679–690. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Lazic, T.; Pierri, C.; Gristina, M.; Carlucci, R.; Cardone, F.; Colangelo, P.; Desiderato, A.; Mercurio, M.; Bertrandino, M.S.; Longo, C.; et al. Distribution and habitat preferences of Hippocampus Species along the Apulian Coast. Aquat. Conserv. 2018, 28, 1317–1328. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Pierri, C.; Lazic, T.; Corriero, G.; Cardone, F.; Onen Tarantini, S.; Desiderato, A.; Mirto, S.; Gristina, M. Site fidelity of Hippocampus Guttulatus Cuvier, 1829 at Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Southern Italy; Ionian Sea). Environ. Biol. Fish. 2020, 103, 1105–1118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Campolmi, M.; Franzoi, P.; Mazzola, A. Observations on pipefish (Syngnathidae) biology in the Stagnone Lagoon (West Sicily). Publicaciones Espec. Inst. Esp. Oceanogr. 1996, 21, 205–209. [Google Scholar]
  19. Franzoi, P.; Maccagnani, R.; Rossi, R.; Ceccherelli, V. Life-Cycles and Feeding-Habits of Syngnathus taenionotus and S. Abaster (Pisces, Syngnathidae) in a Brackish Bay of the Po River Delta (Adriatic Sea). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 1993, 97, 71–81. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Sanna, D.; Biagi, F.; Ben Alaya, H.; Maltagliati, F.; Addis, A.; Romero, A.; De Juan, J.; Jean-pierre, Q.; Castelli, A.; Franzoi, P.; et al. Mitochondrial DNA Variability of the Pipefish Syngnathus Abaster. J. fish Biol. 2013, 82, 856–876. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Scapin, L.; Cavraro, F.; Malavasi, S.; Riccato, F.; Zucchetta, M.; Franzoi, P. Linking Pipefishes and Seahorses to Seagrass Meadows in the Venice Lagoon: Implications for Conservation. Aquat. Conserv. 2018, 28, 282–295. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Gürkan, Ş. Investigations on the Ecomorphologic Characteristics of the Pipefish (Familia: Syngnathidae) Distributing in the Çamalti Lagoon (İzmir Bay). Ph.D. Thesis, Ege University, Bornova, Turkey, 2004. Volume 215. [Google Scholar]
  23. Gürkan, S.; Taskavak, E. Length-Weigth Relationships for Syngnathid Fishes of the Aegean Sea, Turkey. Belg. J. Zool. 2007, 137, 227–242. [Google Scholar]
  24. Amor, M.M.; Salem, M.; Reynaud, C.; Capapé, C. Length–Weight Relationships in Syngnathid Species from Tunisian Waters (Central Mediterranean). Mar. Biodivers. Rec. 2011, 4, e44. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Planas, M.; Piñeiro-Corbeira, C.; Bouza, C.; Castejon, I.; Vera, M.; Regueira, M.; Ochoa, V.; Bárbara, I.; Terrados, J.; Chamorro Valverde, A.; et al. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Identify Priority Areas for the Monitoring of a Vulnerable Family of Fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks. BMC Evol. Biol. 2021, 21, 77–92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  26. Franzoi, P.; Franco, A.; Torricelli, P. Fish Assemblage Diversity and Dynamics in the Venice Lagoon. Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei 2010, 21, 269–281. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Malavasi, S.; Franco, A.; Riccato, F.; Valerio, C.; Torricelli, P.; Franzoi, P. Habitat Selection and Spatial Segregation in Three Pipefish Species. Estuar. Coast. Shelf S. 2007, 75, 143–150. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Hare, M.P.; Nunney, L.; Schwartz, M.K.; Ruzzante, D.E.; Burford, M.; Waples, R.S.; Ruegg, K.; Palstra, F. Understanding and Estimating Effective Population Size for Practical Application in Marine Species Management: Applying Effective Population Size Estimates to Marine Species Management. Conserv. Biol. 2011, 25, 438–449. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  29. Macali, A.; Conde, A.; Smriglio, C.; Mariottini, P.; Crocetta, F. The Evolution of the Molluscan Biota of Sabaudia Lake: A Matter of Human History. Sci. Mar. 2013, 77, 649–662. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Zucchetta, M.; Capoccioni, F.; Franzoi, P.; Ciccotti, E.; Leone, C. Fish Response to Multiple Anthropogenic Stressors in Mediterranean Coastal Lagoons: A Comparative Study of the Role of Different Management Strategies. Water 2021, 13, 130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Millet, B.; Guelorget, O. Spatial and Seasonal Variability in the Relationships between Benthic Communities and Physical Environment in a Lagoon Ecosystem. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 1994, 108, 161–174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Perdicaro, R. Osservazioni sulle condizioni idrologiche del Lago di Sabaudia o di Paola nel biennio 1982-1983. Quad. Ist.Idrobiol. Aquacolt. Brunelli 1983, 3, 59–72. [Google Scholar]
  33. Perdicaro, R. Condizioni chimico-fisiche del Lago di Sabaudia o di Paola dal 1933 al 1984. Quad. Ist. Idrobiol. Aquacolt.Brunelli 1984, 4, 71–139. [Google Scholar]
  34. Guélorget, O.; Perthuisot, J.P. Indicateurs Biologiques et Diagnose Écologique Dans Le Domaine Paralique. Bull. Ecol. 1984, 15, 67–76. [Google Scholar]
  35. Guélorget, O.; Perthuisot, J.P. Paralic Ecosystems Biological Organization and Functionning. Vie et Milieu 1992, 42, 215–251. [Google Scholar]
  36. Samoilys, M. Underwater Visual Census Surveys. Manual for Assessing Fish Stocks on Pacific Coral Reefs; Training Series QE97009; Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane, Australia, 1997; pp. 16–29. [Google Scholar]
  37. Gürkan, S.; Taylan, B. The first observations of oocyte diameters for the pipefish from the southern Black Sea. J. Black Sea/Mediterr. Environ. 2013, 19, 206–216. [Google Scholar]
  38. Curtis, J.; Moreau, M.-A.; Marsden, D.; Bell, E.; Martin-Smith, K.; Samoilys, M.; Vincent, A. Underwater Visual Census for Seahorse Population Assessments; Project Seahorse Technical Report No. 8; University of British Columbia: Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2004. [Google Scholar]
  39. Curtis, J.; Vincent, A. Distribution of Sympatric Seahorse Species along a Gradient of Habitat Complexity in a Seagrass-Dominated Community. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 2005, 291, 81–91. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Perera, N.; Dahanayaka, D.D.G.L.; Udagedara, S. Habitat Preference and Population Structure of Two Data Deficient Seahorse (Syngnathidae) Species. OUSL Jnl 2017, 12, 75. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Fagan, W.F. Connectivity, fragmentation, and extinction risk in dendritic metapopulations. Ecology 2002, 83, 3243–3249. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Hernández-Urcera, J.; Murillo, F.J.; Regueira, M.; Cabanellas-Reboredo, M.; Planas, M. Preferential Habitats Prediction in Syngnathids Using Species Distribution Models. Mar. Environ. Res. 2021, 172, 105488. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  43. Rosa, I.L.; Oliveira, T.P.R.; Castro, A.L.C.; Moraes, L.E.D.S.; Xavier, J.H.A.; Nottingham, M.C.; Dias, T.L.P.; Bruto-Costa, L.V.; Araújo, M.E.; Birolo, A.B.; et al. Population Characteristics, Space Use and Habitat Associations of the Seahorse Hippocampus Reidi (Teleostei: Syngnathidae). Neotrop. Ichthyol. 2007, 5, 405–414. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Nester, G.M.; De Brauwer, M.; Koziol, A.; West, K.M.; DiBattista, J.D.; White, N.E.; Power, M.; Heydenrych, M.J.; Harvey, E.; Bunce, M. Development and Evaluation of Fish eDNA Metabarcoding Assays Facilitate the Detection of Cryptic Seahorse Taxa (Family: Syngnathidae). Environ. DNA 2020, 2, 614–626. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Vizzini, S.; Mazzola, A. The trophic structure of the pipefish community (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from a western Mediterranean seagrass meadow based on stable isotope analysis. Estuaries 2004, 27, 325–333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Amor, M.M.B.; Salem, M.B.; Souissi, J.B.; Capape, C. On the occurrence of the deep-snouted pipefish Syngnathus typhle Linnaeus, 1758 (Osteichthyes: Syngnathidae) in Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean). Acta Adriat. 2007, 48, 15–23. [Google Scholar]
  47. Ben Alaya, H.; Sanna, D.; Casu, M.; Biagi, F.; Francalacci, P.; Carcupino, M.; Galzin, R.; Quignard, J.P.; Trabelsi, M. Analysis of meristic and mitochondrial DNA variation in Syngnathus abaster (Teleostea: Syngnathidae) from two western Mediterranean lagoons. Biologia 2011, 66, 1140–1147. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Hablützel, P.I.; Wilson, A.B. Notes on the occurrence of Syngnathus rostellatus (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in the Mediterranean. Mar. Biodiv. Rec. 2011, 4, E57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Gristina, M.; Cardone, F.; Carlucci, R.; Castellano, L.; Passarelli, S.; Corriero, G. Abundance, distribution and habitat preference of Hippocampus guttulatus and Hippocampus hippocampus in a semi-enclosed central Mediterranean marine area. Mar. Ecol. 2015, 36, 57–66. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Moser, F.N.; Wilson, A.B. Reproductive Isolation Following Hybrid Speciation in Mediterranean Pipefish (Syngnathus Spp.). Anim. Behav. 2020, 161, 77–87. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  51. Pierri, C.; Cardone, F.; Corriero, G.; Lazic, T.; Quattrocchi, F.; Alabiso, G.; Gristina, M. Density Decline in a Mediterranean Seahorse Population: Natural Fluctuations or New Emerging Threats? Front. Mar. Sci. 2021, 8, 692068. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  52. Simal Rodríguez, A.; Grau, A.; Castro-Fernández, J.; Castejón, I.; Terrados, J.; Morales-Nin, B.; Arechavala-Lopez, P. Reproductive Biology of Pipefish Syngnathus typhle and S. abaster (Syngnathidae) from Western Mediterranean Sea. J. Ichthyol. 2021, 61, 608–615. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  53. Martin-Smith, K.M.; Vincent, A.C.J. Exploitation and Trade of Australian Seahorses, Pipehorses, Sea Dragons and Pipefishes (Family Syngnathidae). Oryx 2006, 40, 141–151. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  54. Rosa, I.; Sampaio, C. Collaborative Monitoring of the Ornamental Trade of Seahorses and Pipefishes (Teleostei: Syngnathidae) in Brazil: Bahia State as a Case Study. Neotrop. Ichthyol. 2006, 4, 247–252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  55. Laksanawimol, P.; Petpiroon, S.; Damrongphol, P. Trade of Seahorses, Hippocampus Spp. (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae), on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Acta Icth. Et Piscat. 2013, 43, 229–235. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  56. Harasti, D. Declining Seahorse Populations Linked to Loss of Essential Marine Habitats. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 2016, 546, 173–181. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  57. Masonjones, H.D.; Rose, E.; McRae, L.B.; Dixson, D.L. An Examination of the Population Dynamics of Syngnathid Fishes within Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. Curr. Zool. 2010, 56, 118–133. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  58. Claassens, L.; Booth, A.J.; Hodgson, A.N. An Endangered Seahorse Selectively Chooses an Artificial Structure. Environ. Biol. Fish 2018, 101, 723–733. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Salin, K.R.; Yohannan, T.; Nair, C. Captive Rearing of Hippocampus kuda and Issues of Seahorse Conservation in India. In Proceedings of the International Conference & Exposition on Marine Living Resources of India for Food and Medicine, Chennai, India, 27–29 February 2004. [Google Scholar]
  60. Dody, S.; Manuputty, G.; Limmon, G. Habitat Characteristcs and Density of Spotted Seahorse Hippocampus kuda at Waters of Ternate Island and Surroundings, Maluku Utara, Indonesia. IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci. 2021, 805, 012006. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Power, M.; Attrill, M.J. Long-Term Trends in the Estuarine Abundance of Nilsson’s Pipefish (Syngnathus rostellatus Nilsson). Estuar. Coast. Shelf S. 2003, 57, 325–333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  62. Kuiter, R.H. Seahorses and Their Relatives; Aquatic Photographics: Seaford, UK, 2009; ISBN 9780977537211. [Google Scholar]
  63. Berglund, A.; Sundin, J.; Rosenqvist, G. Baltic Pipefish Females Need Twice as Many Males as They Get. Behav. Ecol. 2017, 28, 827–832. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  64. Whitfield, A.K.; Mkare, T.K.; Teske, P.R.; James, N.C.; Cowley, P.D. Life-Histories Explain the Conservation Status of Two Estuary-Associated Pipefishes. Biol. Conserv. 2017, 212, 256–264. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  65. Castejón-Silvo, I.; Terrados, J.; Nguyen, T.; Jutfelt, F.; Infantes, E. Increased Energy Expenditure Is an Indirect Effect of Habitat Structural Complexity Loss. Funct. Ecol. 2021, 35, 2316–2328. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  66. Pandolfi, J.M.; Bradbury, R.H.; Sala, E.; Hughes, T.P.; Bjorndal, K.A.; Cooke, R.G.; McArdle, D.; McClenachan, L.; Newman, M.J.H.; Paredes, G.; et al. Global Trajectories of the Long-Term Decline of Coral Reef Ecosystems. Science 2003, 301, 955–958. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  67. Aylesworth, L.A.; Xavier, J.H.; Oliveira, T.P.R.; Tenorio, G.D.; Diniz, A.F.; Rosa, I.L. Regional-Scale Patterns of Habitat Preference for the Seahorse Hippocampus Reidi in the Tropical Estuarine Environment. Aquat. Ecol. 2015, 49, 499–512. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  68. Ape, F.; Corriero, G.; Mirto, S.; Pierri, C.; Lazic, T.; Gristina, M. Trophic flexibility and prey selection of the wild long-snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829 in three coastal habitats. Estuar. Coast. Shelf S. 2019, 224, 1–10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Lazic, T.; Fosso, B.; Bachir, B.; Corriero, G.; Gristina, M.; Marzano, M.; Pesole, G.; Santamaria, M.; Pierri, C. Hippocampus guttulatus Diet Based on DNA Metabarcoding. Front. Mar. Sci. 2023, 10, 1138279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Foster, S.A.; Vincent, A.C. Life history and ecology of seahorses: Implications for conservation and management. J. Fish Biol. 2004, 65, 1–61. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  71. Joseph, E. A Study of the Systematics and Life History of the Gulf Pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli (Evermann and Kendall). Ph.D. Thesis, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA, 1957. [Google Scholar]
  72. Woodall, L.C.; Otero-Ferrer, F.; Correia, M.; Curtis, J.M.; Garrick-Maidment, N.; Shaw, P.W.; Koldewey, H.J. A synthesis of European seahorse taxonomy, population structure, and habitat use as a basis for assessment, monitoring and conservation. Mar. Biol. 2018, 165, 1–19. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  73. Frando, A.; Malavasi, S.; Zucchetta, M.; Franzoi, M.; Torricelli, P. Environmental influences on fish assemblage in the Venice Lagoon, Italy. Chem Ecol. 2006, 22, S105–S118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  74. Pineiro-Corbeira, C.; Iglesias, L.; Nogueira, R.; Campos, S.; Jimenez, A.; Regueira, M.; Berreiro, R.; Planas, M. Structure and trophic niches in mobile epifauna assemblages associated with seaweeds and habitats of syngnathid fishes in Cíes archipelago (Atlantic Islands Marine National Park, Northwest Iberia). Front. Mar. Sci. 2021, 8, 773367. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  75. Planas, M. Ecological traits and trophic plasticity in the greater pipefish Syngnathus acus in the NW Iberian Peninsula. Biology 2022, 11, 712. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  76. Louisy, P. Hippocampus Guttulatus, l’espèce Commune de l’étang de Thau, Hippo-Thau Bilan Scientifique 2005–2009; CPIE: Bassin de Thau, France, 2011. [Google Scholar]
  77. Faleiro, F.; Baptista, M.; Santos, C.; Aurélio, M.L.; Pimentel, M.; Pegado, M.R.; Paula, J.R.; Calado, R.; Rosa, R. Seahorses under a changing ocean: The impact of warming and acidification on the behaviour and physiology of a poor-swimming bony-armoured fish. Conserv. Physiol. 2015, 3, cov009. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  78. Lazic, T.; Pierri, C.; Corriero, G.; Balech, B.; Cardone, F.; Deflorio, M.; Fosso, B.; Gissi, C.; Marzano, M.; Nonnis Marzano, F.; et al. Evaluating the efficiency of DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diet of Hippocampus guttulatus (Teleostea: Syngnathidae). Life 2021, 11, 998. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  79. Diaz-Ruiz, S.; Aguirre-Leon, A.; Perez-Soli, O. Distribution and abundance of Syngnathus louisianae and Syngnathus scovelli (Syngnathidae) in Tamiahua Lagoon, Gulf of Mexico. Cienc. Mar. 2000, 26, 125–143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  80. Lourie, S.A.; Pollom, R.A.; Foster, S.J. A global revision of the seahorses Hippocampus Rafinesque 1810 (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes): Taxonomy and biogeography with recommendations for further research. Zootaxa 2016, 4146, 1–66. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Diversity 15 00972 g001
Figure 1. Study area. Sabaudia Lake, located in central Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea (a), is connected with the sea by two channels (b); details of Roman Channel and its primary and secondary channellings (c).
Figure 1. Study area. Sabaudia Lake, located in central Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea (a), is connected with the sea by two channels (b); details of Roman Channel and its primary and secondary channellings (c).
Diversity 15 00972 g001
Diversity 15 00972 g002
Figure 2. Aerial view of sampling stations (St 1–St 11) and distribution of different habitats. Green: muddy bottom with seagrass and algae; blue: Cymodocea nodosa meadows; light blue: dense colonial ascidians populations with low hydrodynamism; red: composed macro-invertebrate guilds with medium–high hydrodynamism; violet: predominantly marine habitat with high hydrodynamism.
Figure 2. Aerial view of sampling stations (St 1–St 11) and distribution of different habitats. Green: muddy bottom with seagrass and algae; blue: Cymodocea nodosa meadows; light blue: dense colonial ascidians populations with low hydrodynamism; red: composed macro-invertebrate guilds with medium–high hydrodynamism; violet: predominantly marine habitat with high hydrodynamism.
Diversity 15 00972 g002
Diversity 15 00972 g003
Figure 3. Cymodocea nodosa (above) and detrital bottom (below), with Hippocampus hippocampus and H. guttulatus recorded, respectively.
Figure 3. Cymodocea nodosa (above) and detrital bottom (below), with Hippocampus hippocampus and H. guttulatus recorded, respectively.
Diversity 15 00972 g003
Diversity 15 00972 g004
Figure 4. Size distribution of Hippocampus guttulatus, H. hippocampus, Syngnathus abaster, and Nerophis ophidion.
Figure 4. Size distribution of Hippocampus guttulatus, H. hippocampus, Syngnathus abaster, and Nerophis ophidion.
Diversity 15 00972 g004
Diversity 15 00972 g005
Figure 5. Number of syngnathid species at each sampling station within the lake and channels.
Figure 5. Number of syngnathid species at each sampling station within the lake and channels.
Diversity 15 00972 g005
Diversity 15 00972 g006
Figure 6. nMDS graphic representation of recorded syngnathids. Numbers indicate sampling stations; letters indicate the following habitats: A: lake habitat with muddy bottom with seagrass and algae; B: C. nodosa habitat near the channel’s mouth; C: habitats with colonial ascidians and little or no hydrodynamism; D: habitat with macro-invertebrates with medium–high hydrodynamism; E: predominantly marine habitat with high hydrodynamism.
Figure 6. nMDS graphic representation of recorded syngnathids. Numbers indicate sampling stations; letters indicate the following habitats: A: lake habitat with muddy bottom with seagrass and algae; B: C. nodosa habitat near the channel’s mouth; C: habitats with colonial ascidians and little or no hydrodynamism; D: habitat with macro-invertebrates with medium–high hydrodynamism; E: predominantly marine habitat with high hydrodynamism.
Diversity 15 00972 g006
Table 1. Description of habitats, depth, and encountered syngnathids at the eleven investigated stations.
Table 1. Description of habitats, depth, and encountered syngnathids at the eleven investigated stations.
StationHabitatDepthSyngnathid Species
St 1Muddy–sandy seabed with patchy meadows of C. nodosa and Chaetomorpha spp. and abundant fine vegetal detritus. Dense population of Cerithium vulgatum and Hexaplex trunculus. The site is weakly affected by tidal streams, with hydrological features mainly referring to the lagoon ecosystem.0.5–1.5 mHippocampus hippocampus
Nerophis ophidion
Syngnathus abaster
St 2Muddy seabed with stable occurrence of Chaetomorpha spp. Patchy meadows of C. nodosa were also present. Structured macrobenthic community with dense populations of H. trunculus, Haminoea japonica, and Gammarus insensibilis. The site is not affected by tidal streams, with hydrological features mainly referring to the lagoon ecosystem.1–3 mN. ophidion
S. abaster
St 3Muddy seabed with stable occurrence of Chaetomorpha spp. Patchy meadows of C. nodosa were also present. Structured macrobenthic community with dense populations of H. trunculus, H. japonica, and G. insensibilis. The site is not affected by tidal streams, with hydrological features mainly referring to the lagoon ecosystem.1–3.5 mN. ophidion
S. abaster
St 4Muddy–sandy seabed with C. nodosa meadows extending to the whole channel mouth area with abundant fine vegetal detritus. Dense population of Cerithium vulgatum and H. trunculus. Strong tidal flow with hydrological features changing according to tidal phases.0.5–1.5 mH. guttulatus
H. hippocampus
N. ophidion
S. abaster
St 5Muddy–sandy seabed with patchy meadows of C. nodosa and Chaetomorpha sp. Dense populations of C. vulgatum. and H. trunculus be found, along with a more complex malacocenosis. The site is weakly affected by tidal streams, with hydrological features mainly referring to the lagoon ecosystem.0.5–2 mH. hippocampus
N. ophidion
S. abaster
St 6Muddy–sandy seabed with patchy meadows of C. nodosa and abundant fine vegetal detritus. Dense populations of C. vulgatum. and H. trunculus were found. Moderate tidal flow with hydrological features changing according to tidal phases.1–2.5 mH. guttulatus
H. hippocampus
N. ophidion
S. abaster
St 7Muddy seabed with seasonal occurrence of algal coverage (Ulva spp., Chaetomorpha spp.). Poor seabed macrobenthic community. Dense population of Ciona intestinalis, Styela plicata, Aiptasia mutabilis, and Ficopomatus enigmaticus colonise artificial rocky substrates. The site is not affected by tidal streams, with hydrological features mainly referring to the lagoon ecosystem.1–2 m
St 8Sandy bottom with a thick coverage of organic matter mainly composed of P. oceanica leaves and rhizome fibres. Tidal flow is weaker than at Station 9.0.5–1 mH. guttulatus
H. hippocampus
St 9Sandy bottom with scattered accumulation of vegetal detritus, gravel, and compacted organic matter. Closer to the inner mouth, the channel is affected by a sparsely packed grassland of C. nodosa. Strong tidal flow with hydrological features changing according to tidal phases.0.5–2 mH. guttulatus
H. hippocampus
St 10Coarse shell-bearing sands with terrestrial and marine vegetal detritus, including tree branches, P. oceanica rhizomes, and detached thalli of Codium spp. High seabed slope, reaching 3.5 m in depth in the central part. Strong tidal flow velocity leaves large portions of rocks uncovered. Hydrological features change according to tidal phases.0.5–3.5 m
St 11Coarse sandy bottom with scattered vegetal detritus, without areas of accumulation. Hard substrates colonised by dense populations of anthozoans (Anemonia viridis, Paranemonia cinerea). Strong tidal flow velocity. Hydrological features change according to tidal phases. 0.5–1.5 m
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Lazic, T.; Pierri, C.; Corriero, G.; Gravina, M.F.; Gristina, M.; Ravisato, M.; Macali, A. Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Syngnathid Species in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea). Diversity 2023, 15, 972. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090972

AMA Style

Lazic T, Pierri C, Corriero G, Gravina MF, Gristina M, Ravisato M, Macali A. Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Syngnathid Species in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea). Diversity. 2023; 15(9):972. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090972

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lazic, Tamara, Cataldo Pierri, Giuseppe Corriero, Maria Flavia Gravina, Michele Gristina, Miriam Ravisato, and Armando Macali. 2023. "Abundance, Distribution, and Habitat Preference of Syngnathid Species in Sabaudia Lake (Tyrrhenian Sea)" Diversity 15, no. 9: 972. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090972

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop