Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea
The pink sea fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) can form coral forests at mesophotic depths in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the recognized importance of these habitats, they have been scantly studied and their distribution is mostly unknown. This study repo...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/5/176 |
| _version_ | 1797569150259822592 |
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| author | Giovanni Chimienti |
| author_facet | Giovanni Chimienti |
| author_sort | Giovanni Chimienti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The pink sea fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) can form coral forests at mesophotic depths in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the recognized importance of these habitats, they have been scantly studied and their distribution is mostly unknown. This study reports the new finding of <i>E. verrucosa</i> forests in the Mediterranean Sea, and the updated distribution of this species that has been considered rare in the basin. In particular, one site off Sanremo (Ligurian Sea) was characterized by a monospecific population of <i>E. verrucosa</i> with 2.3 ± 0.2 colonies m<sup>−2</sup>. By combining new records, literature, and citizen science data, the species is believed to be widespread in the basin with few or isolated colonies, and 19 <i>E. verrucosa</i> forests were identified. The overall associated community showed how these coral forests are essential for species of conservation interest, as well as for species of high commercial value. For this reason, proper protection and management strategies are necessary. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:07:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bb9abd08f08d4a7bb5f35fdbab9429f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:07:48Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-bb9abd08f08d4a7bb5f35fdbab9429f62023-11-19T23:11:08ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182020-04-0112517610.3390/d12050176Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean SeaGiovanni Chimienti0Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, ItalyThe pink sea fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Alcyonacea) can form coral forests at mesophotic depths in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the recognized importance of these habitats, they have been scantly studied and their distribution is mostly unknown. This study reports the new finding of <i>E. verrucosa</i> forests in the Mediterranean Sea, and the updated distribution of this species that has been considered rare in the basin. In particular, one site off Sanremo (Ligurian Sea) was characterized by a monospecific population of <i>E. verrucosa</i> with 2.3 ± 0.2 colonies m<sup>−2</sup>. By combining new records, literature, and citizen science data, the species is believed to be widespread in the basin with few or isolated colonies, and 19 <i>E. verrucosa</i> forests were identified. The overall associated community showed how these coral forests are essential for species of conservation interest, as well as for species of high commercial value. For this reason, proper protection and management strategies are necessary.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/5/176AnthozoaAlcyonaceagorgoniancoral habitatcoral forestVME |
| spellingShingle | Giovanni Chimienti Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea Diversity Anthozoa Alcyonacea gorgonian coral habitat coral forest VME |
| title | Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea |
| title_full | Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea |
| title_fullStr | Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea |
| title_short | Vulnerable Forests of the Pink Sea Fan <i>Eunicella verrucosa</i> in the Mediterranean Sea |
| title_sort | vulnerable forests of the pink sea fan i eunicella verrucosa i in the mediterranean sea |
| topic | Anthozoa Alcyonacea gorgonian coral habitat coral forest VME |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/5/176 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giovannichimienti vulnerableforestsofthepinkseafanieunicellaverrucosaiinthemediterraneansea |