Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments
Abstract Mesophotic habitats in the Mediterranean Sea host rich and diverse benthic assemblages, dominated by invertebrates alongside sciaphilous algae. Recent findings suggest that certain mesophotic bioconstructions built by invertebrates, while classified under the coralligenous definition, diffe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15386-x |
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| author | Guadalupe Giménez Cataldo Pierri Giuseppe Corriero Giorgio Bavestrello Jacopo Giampaoletti Maria Mercurio Carlotta Nonnis Marzano Caterina Longo |
| author_facet | Guadalupe Giménez Cataldo Pierri Giuseppe Corriero Giorgio Bavestrello Jacopo Giampaoletti Maria Mercurio Carlotta Nonnis Marzano Caterina Longo |
| author_sort | Guadalupe Giménez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mesophotic habitats in the Mediterranean Sea host rich and diverse benthic assemblages, dominated by invertebrates alongside sciaphilous algae. Recent findings suggest that certain mesophotic bioconstructions built by invertebrates, while classified under the coralligenous definition, differ significantly in their taxonomic composition. This study investigates diversity patterns in megabenthic assemblages associated with algal and invertebrate bioconstructions along the Apulian coast, using α- and β-diversity metrics derived from an image analysis approach. Across 360 analyzed frames, 81 taxa were identified, revealing distinct coverage patterns that separate mesophotic algal assemblages from both coral and oyster bioconstructions. Morphological seabed features and primary bioconstructors played a key role in shaping the associated communities. These findings highlight the substantial differences between upper and deeper megabenthic assemblages and emphasize the ecological importance of mesophotic bioconstructions as biodiversity hotspots, underscoring their role in supporting Mediterranean marine ecosystems and the need for targeted conservation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7e84f00cd98a47bdb41fb7eb3fb2a968 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e84f00cd98a47bdb41fb7eb3fb2a9682025-08-20T04:01:52ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-15386-xMegabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environmentsGuadalupe Giménez0Cataldo Pierri1Giuseppe Corriero2Giorgio Bavestrello3Jacopo Giampaoletti4Maria Mercurio5Carlotta Nonnis Marzano6Caterina Longo7Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of GenovaNational Research Council - Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, CNR-IASDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo MoroDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo MoroAbstract Mesophotic habitats in the Mediterranean Sea host rich and diverse benthic assemblages, dominated by invertebrates alongside sciaphilous algae. Recent findings suggest that certain mesophotic bioconstructions built by invertebrates, while classified under the coralligenous definition, differ significantly in their taxonomic composition. This study investigates diversity patterns in megabenthic assemblages associated with algal and invertebrate bioconstructions along the Apulian coast, using α- and β-diversity metrics derived from an image analysis approach. Across 360 analyzed frames, 81 taxa were identified, revealing distinct coverage patterns that separate mesophotic algal assemblages from both coral and oyster bioconstructions. Morphological seabed features and primary bioconstructors played a key role in shaping the associated communities. These findings highlight the substantial differences between upper and deeper megabenthic assemblages and emphasize the ecological importance of mesophotic bioconstructions as biodiversity hotspots, underscoring their role in supporting Mediterranean marine ecosystems and the need for targeted conservation strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15386-xAnimal bioconstructionsBenthic coverCoralligenousMediterraneanMesophotic |
| spellingShingle | Guadalupe Giménez Cataldo Pierri Giuseppe Corriero Giorgio Bavestrello Jacopo Giampaoletti Maria Mercurio Carlotta Nonnis Marzano Caterina Longo Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments Scientific Reports Animal bioconstructions Benthic cover Coralligenous Mediterranean Mesophotic |
| title | Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments |
| title_full | Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments |
| title_fullStr | Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments |
| title_short | Megabenthic assemblages from South Adriatic marine mesophotic environments |
| title_sort | megabenthic assemblages from south adriatic marine mesophotic environments |
| topic | Animal bioconstructions Benthic cover Coralligenous Mediterranean Mesophotic |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15386-x |
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