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Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Oceans".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 24834

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stefania Chiesa

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Guest Editor

Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
Interests: protection of coastal marine environments and biodiversity conservation; the management and mitigation of anthropogenic disturbances and global changes; sustainable aquaculture; alien species’ introductions and their impacts; element contamination in marine environments; physiological and biochemical responses of marine invertebrates to environmental stressors; population genetics; phylogenetics; molecular taxonomy and biogeography
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Dr. Livia Lucentini

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06100 Perugia, Italy
Interests: biodiversity; biogeography of inland and aquatic species; the resolution of taxonomic ambiguities via molecular biology and DNA sequence analysis; identification of closely related and cryptic taxa; molecular phylogenetics and systematics; phenotype–genotype relationships; forensic genetics and wildlife crimes; preservation; recovery; archives of historical museums and private biological collections
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Dr. Silvia Maltese

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Guest Editor

Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
Interests: marine environmental protection; management and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts and global changes; organic and inorganic contaminants in the marine environment; marine ecotoxicology; marine mammals; fishes; bivalves
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Dr. Alfonso Scarpato

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Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
Interests: marine environmental protection; natural resource management; implementation of the EU Directive Marine Strategy MSFD (2008/56/UE); Descriptor 8; chemical contamination; global changes; biodiversity alterations; anthropogenic impact mitigation; circular economy; citizen science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change, biodiversity loss, chemical contamination, and plastic pollution represent the main issues of marine environmental concern, with different impacts on marine species, habitats, and the ecosystem services that they provide to humans. Therefore, it is mandatory to better understand the effects of these multiple stressors on marine environments, which require urgent remediation actions.

The opening of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) represents a unique opportunity for our scientific community to improve and share our knowledge and to achieve the ambitious goal of conservation and sustainable development of the seas and oceans worldwide.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect papers regarding the biodiversity conservation and protection of marine ecosystems, paying special attention to innovative tools for monitoring both natural and anthropic disturbances, mitigation measures, and restoration of marine habitats.

The present Issue will be devoted to studies focused on the conservation of marine biodiversity, including relevant papers dealing with population genetics and systematics, forensic studies, environmental crimes and sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources, innovative tools for species detection and monitoring (for example, environmental DNA), and the occurrence and impacts of invasive alien species.

It also will include papers related to different environmental contaminants (for example, metals, POPs, marine litter, and emerging contaminants), their levels in water and sediments, as well as their bioaccumulation and effects on marine species.

Moreover, this Special Issue will also welcome papers dealing with mitigation and restoration measures for marine habitats and their ecosystem services, giving particular attention to the implementation of the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive for European Seas, but not limited to this.

Finally, this Issue will also consider papers regarding new innovative tools for data collection (for example, citizen science approaches and questionnaires), elaboration, and modeling.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of papers reporting frontier results in identifying, detecting, monitoring, controlling, and preventing the effects of different threats and disturbances to marine ecosystems. Scientific, technical, and management papers, ideas, opinions, and mini reviews are also welcomed.

Dr. Stefania Chiesa
Dr. Livia Lucentini
Dr. Silvia Maltese
Dr. Alfonso Scarpato
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

marine biology
marine ecology
biodiversity conservation
alien species
anthropic disturbances
contaminants
climate change
innovative tools
monitoring
mitigation
restoration

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Artificial Reefs on the Alimentary Strategies of Two Mediterranean Sea Teleosts

by Silvia Secco, Massimiliano Scalici, Serena Lomiri, Ornella Nonnis, Antonella Ausili and Paolo Tomassetti

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010011 - 20 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1007

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of an alteration in the feeding ecology of fish after the deployment of anti-trawling reefs at the Punta Tramontana site (Sardinia, Italy). To achieve this aim, we examined prey in the stomach contents of two target species of fish: Diplodus annularis and Mullus surmuletus. The samples were obtained from fishing activities carried out over one year from June 2017 to October 2018 at two impact sites, selected by the presence of artificial reefs, and two control sites. The results showed that installing these artificial devices increased the food spectrum availability of the target species and induced two different ecological feeding behaviors, probably derived from their different ecologies. D. annularis changed its alimentary strategy from generalist at control sites to specialist at impact sites, focusing its diet on the crustacean Gnathia maxillaris. Mullus surmuletus was not affected by the presence of the barriers, which constitute an additional site where the fish feed during their foraging activities. In conclusion, these anti-trawling reefs, in addition to the purpose for which they are designed (in this case, avoiding illegal trawling), did not produce any negative environmental impact on surrounding marine biota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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15 pages, 5739 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Reliable and Cost-Efficient PCR-RFLP Tool for the Rapid Identification of Cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea

by Leonardo Brustenga, Stefania Chiesa, Silvia Maltese, Guia Consales, Letizia Marsili, Giancarlo Lauriano, Vincenzo Scarano, Alfonso Scarpato and Livia Lucentini

Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16763; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416763 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1515

Abstract

Twenty-five species of cetaceans have been reported throughout the Mediterranean Sea, eight of them are commonly distributed in the whole basin and are regularly found beached or adrift in the sea. Stranded animals are frequently found in poor conservation status, preventing reliable identification; identification is thus often based solely on morphological features. Therewith, molecular tools are especially useful to provide taxonomic identification. In this work, a four-enzymes PCR-RFLP in silico protocol, based on a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytb, has been designed for cetacean species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, beached or floating specimen samples belonging to the eight common species have been tested in the laboratory, providing evidence that this approach represents a reliable, cost- and time-effective tool for their specific identification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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17 pages, 2285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isotopic Niche and Trophic Position of the Invasive Portunid Portunus segnis Forskål, (1775) in Elounda Bay (Crete Island, Eastern Mediterranean)

by Giorgio Mancinelli, Thanos Dailianis, Costas Dounas, Panagiotis Kasapidis, Panayota Koulouri, Grigorios Skouradakis, Roberta Bardelli, Cristina Di Muri, Maria Teresa Guerra and Salvatrice Vizzini

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15202; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215202 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1796

Abstract

There is a growing recognition that an advanced understanding of the trophic characteristics of an invasive consumer can provide important information on its ecological impact. In recent years, the blue swimming crab Portunus segnis, one of the earliest Lessepsian invaders, has considerably expanded its distribution range in the Mediterranean Sea, yet, its trophic habits in invaded areas remain scarcely investigated. In this study, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis (SIA) to determine the trophic position and isotopic niche of the crab compared with other representatives of the flora and fauna occurring in Elounda Bay (Crete). P. segnis showed a trophic position of 3.9, higher than the values determined by SIA or conventional gut content analysis in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea or in the native range. Crab specimens showed a high inter-individual variability in both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values; further analysis indicated negligible differences in the isotopic niche of adult males and females. Conversely, δ¹⁵N values were significantly related to the size of the specimens, ultimately suggesting an ontogenetic dietary shift. This study represents the first attempt to characterize the trophic habits of the blue swimming crab in the context of an invaded food web and may contribute to the implementation of long-term management strategies of control and mitigation of its ecological impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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25 pages, 5961 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Philopatry as a Tool to Define Tentative Closed Migration Cycles and Conservation Areas for Large Pelagic Fishes in the Pacific

by Veronica Relano and Daniel Pauly

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5577; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095577 - 6 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5058

Abstract

Migrations of large pelagic fishes across the Pacific are usually inferred from tagging or genetic studies. Even though these techniques have improved over time, they still fail to demonstrate large transoceanic migrations, usually proposing ‘routes’ that do not cycle seasonally. The current study uses the concept of ‘philopatry’ in 11 large pelagic fish species, i.e., the tendency for animals to return to their natal site to reproduce. Tentative migration routes and maps emerge by applying this concept to the movements extracted through a comprehensive review of the literature on satellite and conventional tagging, and population and subpopulation linkages inferred from genetic and/or genomic studies. Moreover, when comparing these proposed migration routes and the mapped reconstructed catch (1950–2016, Sea Around Us) of each species in the Pacific, similarities emerge, reinforcing the accuracy of these migration cycles informed by philopatry. Finally, by superposing the migration routes of our 11 species, we identified areas of the Pacific that are part of the inferred migration routes of multiple species, leading to a discussion of possible ‘blue corridors’ that would protect the studied species’ key migration routes and stocks, which are important for the fisheries, culture and nutrition of Pacific islanders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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11 pages, 1987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Specific Polyclonal Antibody against the Larvae of Corallivorous Gastropod Drupella fragum for Prediction of Outbreaks

by Takaya Kitamura, Toshiharu Iwai, Yui Shigematsu, Chiemi Miura and Takeshi Miura

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 11713; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111713 - 23 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1540

Abstract

The term corallivorous gastropod refers to a group of snails that feeds on coral and inhabits coral communities worldwide. Outbreaks of these species cause serious damage to coral communities. There are various reasons behind the outbreaks; however, further clarifications are needed. It may be possible to predict outbreaks by measuring the number of floating larvae of corallivorous gastropods in seawater. Drupella fragum is the most damaging species in Japan, so we produced antibodies against D. fragum larvae in order to easily detect this species in the field. Antibody specificity analysis in aquarium-hatched corallivorous gastropods showed a higher specificity against D. fragum compared to D. cornus. A field study using the antibody showed that many D. fragum larvae were detected from June to November at all stations. The larvae at the Shirigai station were collected in June and July in large numbers compared to the other stations. Large groups of D. fragum were collected around the sampling point in Shirigai in September 2016. Our results imply that there is a possibility that outbreaks could be predicted using this antibody. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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23 pages, 1804 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Endless Endeavor: The Evolution and Challenges of Multi-Level Coastal Governance in the Global South

by Leandra R. Gonçalves, Leopoldo C. Gerhardinger, Marcus Polette and Alexander Turra

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810413 - 18 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

We used Brazil as a Global South case study to analyze the evolution of the coastal governance in a young and still unstable democracy. Based on twenty-five years of documentation related to a federal-level actor interaction hub named Coastal Management Integration Group (GIGERCO) we explored the opportunity context for the transformation of the Brazilian coastal governance system using a Theory of Transformative Agency to identify five periods of evolution. The coastal governance system shifted from an exploitation to a conservation phase (periods 1 to 3), where an increasing number of actors were getting to know the system and each other’s interests turned into a moment of higher stability and resistance to change. The mobilization of social capital and higher heterogeneity of actors allowed novel strategies to emerge, generating opportunities for structural changes from a conservation towards a release phase (period 4). We argue that the recent political changes in Brazil caused a rupture in such a flourishing coastal governance process (period 5), which is now at a critical juncture that may unfold into one of three envisioned alternative scenarios: conservative regime, a new integrated and ecosystem-based regime, or a remanent of past regime properties. Our paper informs coastal governance processes across the world, highlighting the dynamic nature of the interplay between alternative institutional entrepreneurship strategies, opportunity contexts, and innovations in governance systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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Review

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16 pages, 1324 KiB

Open AccessReview

Alien Species Associated with New Introductions and Translocations of Commercial Bivalves in Italian Marine Waters

by Laura Di Blasio, Stefania Chiesa, Giuseppe Arcangeli, Valeria Donadelli and Giovanna Marino

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043536 - 14 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1489

Abstract

Importation and translocation of seeds and live animals for aquaculture purposes are well-established practices in the European and Italian shellfish market. However, these routines may be responsible for alien species introduction and spread, representing a risk for aquaculture activities, human health, as well as for environmental and biodiversity conservation. To estimate and reduce the potential impact of alien and locally absent species on aquatic habitats due to aquaculture practices, Member States have adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007, which provides guidance for risk analysis and contingency measures for mitigation. Despite this legal framework, traceability data for shellfish movements are currently lacking and need to be improved in all EU Member States. The present work presents an updated literature summary of alien species associated with bivalve farming and trading. The information herein collected will be helpful to upgrade the traceability system of farmed bivalves in Italian marine waters with reference to non-target species, representing a knowledge baseline for setting bio security plans to reduce their risk of introduction and further spreading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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11 pages, 2206 KiB

Open AccessReview

Comprehensive Review regarding the Profile of the Microplastic Pollution in the Coastal Area of the Black Sea

by Alexandra Savuca, Mircea Nicusor Nicoara and Caterina Faggio

Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 14376; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114376 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 1970

Abstract

Lately, the interest in researching microplastics in the Black Sea has increased, highlighting areas of accumulation in which the amounts of microplastics are alarming, such as seafood consumed by the population. The Black Sea has special characteristics in terms of currents and wave dynamics that create opportunities for the accumulation of microplastics in hotspot points, such as in the context of large rivers discharge that contains large amounts of pollutants and new sources of contamination. This article offers a literature-based profile on plastic pollution in the Black Sea—pollution that originates in the discharge of large rivers, transportation, and other economic activities, even the COVID-19 pandemic—in order to highlight “microplastic hotspots” before the current political crisis that directly involves the Black Sea worsens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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17 pages, 1053 KiB

Open AccessReview

Get Rid of Marine Pollution: Bioremediation an Innovative, Attractive, and Successful Cleaning Strategy

by Valbona Aliko, Cristiana Roberta Multisanti, Blerta Turani and Caterina Faggio

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11784; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811784 - 19 Sep 2022

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 5485

Abstract

Aquatic environmental pollution is a rather worrying and increasingly topical problem that requires the development and promotion of innovative and ecofriendly technologies. Pollutants in water include many common substances that can reach aquatic ecosystems through several pathways including wastewater, the atmosphere, ship discharges, and many other sources. Most of these toxic compounds are internalized by aquatic organisms, leading to bioaccumulation in tissues and reaching any level of the food chain through the biomagnification process. These mechanisms can develop into adverse effects on the physiology of organisms and biochemical processes of natural ecosystems, thus affecting animals, environments, and indirectly, human health. Innovative technologies to tackle marine pollution include bioremediation: a suitable, biological, and ecological approach that enhances the ability of micro-organisms to transform waste and toxic substances into forms that can be used by other organisms. In this context, micro-organisms appear to be essential for the detoxification of aquatic systems due to their metabolic activity. This review provides a careful analysis of the characteristics of the main pollutants that affect aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on their effects on organisms and environments. It also offers clear guidance on innovative biological strategies that can be employed to prevent, limit, and remediate anthropogenic influences on aquatic environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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Other

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10 pages, 433 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Negative Evidence for Sex-Linked Heteroplasmy in the Nemertean Worm Notospermus geniculatus (Delle Chiaje, 1822)

by Diletta Santovito, Leonardo Brustenga, Livia Lucentini, Federico Plazzi, Stefania Chiesa and Marco Passamonti

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10212; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310212 - 27 Jun 2023

Viewed by 834

Abstract

Doubly Uniparental Inheritance (DUI) is considered one of the major exceptions to the common rules of eukaryotic cell biology and germline formation. DUI is known in bivalves, which belong to the phylum Mollusca; conversely, no DUI evidence was found in some gastropod species. Investigating the presence of DUI in Nemertea is of particular interest given the fact that these spiralian animals are suggested to be a sister group of Neotrochozoa (i.e., Mollusca and Annelida). DUI species are normally detected as having two sex-associated mtDNAs, which can be highly divergent. In this work, the presence of sex-associated mitochondrial genomes was investigated in the nemertean species Notospermus geniculatus and no evidence was found for DUI. Even if these are preliminary results, negative evidence is still interesting because of the high importance of the DUI phenomenon in many research fields, where it plays a pivotal role in understanding eukaryotic evolution. For this reason, further research on DUI species detection should be highly encouraged, as well as the publication of negative results beside positive ones, as is the case for the present study, improving the knowledge on the biology and ecology of a broad spectrum of marine species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Life below Water: Marine Biology and Sustainable Ocean)

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