The algal polysaccharide agar has long been used as a food binder due to its structure, rheological behaviour, stability and interactions properties that help to generate ¢rm, round, disk-shaped pellets that may be used in recirculating sea urchin-rearing systems. Three algae-based diets (Ulva lactuca, Gracilaria gracilis, Cystoseira sp.) containing 3%and 6% agar were tested on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in order to examine the e¡ect of varying percentages of agar on pellet stability in water and sea urchin gonad growth. The kinetics of water absorption and solute leaching of pellets were measured by immersing quadruplicate samples of the pellets inwater for1,2,3,4,5 and 6 days. Our resultsshow that the pellets had good water stability, were readily consumed by sea urchins and the presence of agar did not hamper sea urchin gonad growth. Animals fed Ulva-containing pellets reached a more advanced gametogenic stage with respect to animals fed Cystoseira- and Gracilaria-containing pellets. Moreover, the presence of agarase activity in the digestive system indicated that agar may be an energy source. Pellets are relatively low cost and easy to prepare and store. They may represent auseful resource for rearing sea urchins under intensive conditions.

Male gonads of Engraulis encrasicolus (Osteichthyes, Engraulidae) (Linnaeus, 1758) collected in the Lesina Lagoon from May to September 2012 were histologically examined in order to determine the maturity stage. All specimens were ripe with gonads to the spermatozoal stage. The small lengths of anchovies suggest that the male population in the Lesina Lagoon is composed of young individuals at their first maturity. The temporal evolution of the gonad morphology suggests that the reproductive activity peak was reached at the end of summer.

Nell'ambito di un progetto finalizzato alla produzione di biocombustibili da biomasse acquatiche, è stato eseguito un monitoraggio abiotico (acqua e sedimenti) nella Sacca Orientale della laguna di Lesina durante il 2010. A maggio, luglio e ottobre 2010, in 30 siti, sono stati misurati in situ i parametri chimico-fisici e raccolti campioni di acqua per le analisi dei nutrienti e clorofilla a. In 10 stazioni sono stati, inoltre, raccolti campioni di sedimento superficiale per le analisi del carbonio organico totale (TOC). E' stata, inoltre, effettuata una identificazione delle specie macroalgali presenti, soprattutto quelle utili ai fini del progetto (Chara sp., Chaetomorpha linum e Chladophora sp.). La temperatura, la salinità e l'ossigeno disciolto mostrano il tipico trend stagionale con fluttuazioni spaziali più marcate durante il mese di luglio. In estate, infatti, quando gli input di acqua dolce sono minimi e le alte temperature favoriscono l'evaporazione, vengono registrati valori di salinità maggiori, dovuti anche all'entrata di acqua di mare del canale Schiapparo (come mostrato dalle distribuzioni spaziali). In particolare la presenza di acque più fredde, meno salate e più ossigenate risulta essere evidente in prossimità degli input di acqua dolce (fiume Lauro e Idrovora Lauro), sebbene nessuna correlazione sia stata osservata tra l'ossigeno e la salinità. Una netta diminuzione della concentrazione media dei silicati fu osservata da maggio (94,12 ?M) a luglio (7,93 ?M) ed un aumento da luglio ad ottobre (78,96 ?M). Inoltre, la forte ed inversa correlazione tra i silicati e la temperatura indicherebbe che le concentrazioni dei silicati sono influenzate dai bloom stagionali della componente fitoplanctonica.In relazione ai sedimenti, i contenuti medi di TC furono costanti durante il periodo di osservazione, mentre il TOC variava, aumentando le sue concentrazioni nei mesi di luglio e ottobre, in cui si registrarono valori alti di 5,12-6,78 % nei siti localizzati nell'estremità nord-est della Sacca Orientale.

Coastal lagoons are highly connected to the sea and many fish species enter into these environmentsremaining there for short periods. The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (L.), is a speciesintensely exploited by fishing in the Adriatic Sea, and it occurs in the Lagoon of Lesina only during thespring-summer months, when it finds in the lagoon suitable environmental conditions that could enhancethe fitness of individuals. The purpose of this work was to characterize the European anchovy populationin the Lagoon of Lesina, by studying the reproductive biology and estimating the age, size and growthparameters of the specimens. The study also aimed at identifying any relationship between the growth andmaturity of anchovy and some environmental parameters. To achieve this goal, samples of Europeananchovy were collected about every fifteen days between May and September 2012, using fyke-nets. Atthe same time, water temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration and pH were measured with amultiparametric probe. In addition, water samples were collected for the chlorophyll a and suspendedparticulate matter measurements, and to describe phytoplankton assemblages of the lagoon. In thelaboratory, each specimen was measured and weighted; the otoliths were removed and stored dry inlabelled envelopes for age determination. The sex was determined and the fish gonads weremacroscopically classified. Moreover, gonad samples (at least 10 specimens for each sampling) werefixed in 4% buffered formalin for histological analysis. Water samples for photosynthetic pigments weresequentially filtered to separate three size classes: total, micro- and nano-phytoplankton forspectrofluorometric measurements. Water samples for total suspended solids were filtered and dried toestimate their concentrations. The phytoplankton cells were counted and identified by invertedmicroscope and the organisms were classified and grouped into three main taxonomic components:diatoms, dinoflagellates and others. The most significant results are illustrated.

The aim of this study was to test the sensitivity of computerized sperm motility analysis in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as the endpoint in toxicity bioassays. The tested matrices were pore water samples collected in an agriculture-impacted Mediterranean lagoon, Lake Varano (Italy). Two standardized bioassays were also conducted as controls, the P. lividus spermiotoxicity test and the Vibrio fischeri (Microtoxs) test. VCL (curvilinear velocity), VSL (straight line velocity), VAP (average path velocity), and the percentage of rapid spermatozoa recorded by the Sperm Class Analyzers system showed high sensitivity and discrimination ability, to a degree comparable with the larval development endpoint of the spermiotoxicity test. The test evaluated in this study requires small volumes of matrices, involves minimal sample manipulation, and can easily be extended to many other bioindicator species. It may therefore be considered a promising ''quick response tool'' following hazardous events that may adversely affect an aquatic ecosystem.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using cryopreserved S. aurata semen in spermiotoxicity tests. Cryopreservation is a biotechnology that can provide viable gametes and embryos on demand, rather than only in the spawning season, thus overcoming a limitation that has hindered the use of some species in ecotoxicological bioassays. Firstly, the sperm motility pattern of cryopreserved semen was evaluated after thawing by means of both visual and computer-assisted analyses. Motility parameters in the cryopreserved semen did not change significantly in the first hour after thawing, meaning that they were maintained for long enough to enable their use in spermiotoxicity tests. In the second phase of the research, bioassays were performed, using cadmium as the reference toxicant, in order to evaluate the sensitivity of cryopreserved S. aurata semen to ecotoxicological contamination. The sensitivity of the sperm motility parameters used as endpoints (motility percentages and velocities) proved to be comparable to what has been recorded for the fresh semen of other aquatic species (LOECs from 0.02 to 0.03 mg L-1). The test showed good reliability and was found to be rapid and easy to perform, requiring only a small volume of the sample. Moreover, cryopreserved semen is easy to store and transfer and makes it possible to perform bioassays in different sites or at different times with the same batch of semen. The proposed bioassay is therefore a promising starting point for the development of toxicity tests that are increasingly tailored to the needs of ecotoxicology and environmental quality evaluation strategies.

Coastal lagoons are very heterogeneous systems covering a wide range of physiographical and hydrological characteristics. The hypothesis of the present investigation was that physiographical and hydrological characteristics of coastal lagoons affect their physico-chemical properties and their buffering capacity against nutrient enrichment. We compared data collected during a complete annual cycle in six coastal lagoons which were representative of the different lagoon types proposed by Kjerfve (1986) and were subjected to different anthropogenic pressures. The greater exchange of water with the sea in the leaky lagoon of Ria Formosa (type 3) reduced the seasonal differences in the physico-chemical variables and increased the buffer capacity against nutrient enrichment when compared to the restricted (type 2) and chocked (type 1) lagoon types. The lagoon types also showed important differences regarding nutrient limitation, with types 1 and 2 being P-limited and type 3 being N-limited. Our approach can be applied to other coastal lagoons representative of transitional water types in order to provide a general framework for the rational management and policy strategies of coastal lagoons.

Italy) is a semi-enclosed and strongly polluted basin. For decades,it has been subjected to different anthropogenic impacts.These stressors caused severe sediments contaminationwith high concentration of different pollutants (PAHs, PCB,heavy metals). In order to assess the current status of sedimentscontamination, an ecotoxicological investigation combinedwith chemical analysis (heavy metals, PAH, and PCB)has been performed. In order to derive ecologically relevantconclusions, a multiorganisms and multiend-points approachhas been applied, exposing organisms from different trophiclevels to elutriate and whole sediment. The battery of bioassaysconsists of a microalgal growth inhibition test(Dunaliella tertiolecta), acute and sublethal assays (endpoints:mortality, immobilization and swimming speed alteration)on crustaceans larvae and juveniles, and rotifers(Amphibalanus amphitrite, Artemia salina, Corophiuminsidiosum and Brachionus plicatilis), and embryotoxicity teston echinoderms (Paracentrotus lividus). Considering the highlevels of sediment contamination highlighted from chemicalanalysis, an unexpected very low toxic effect was observed,even considering the sublethal end-point (larval swimmingspeed alteration). The results of this study suggest a very complexcontaminants dynamic in the Mar Piccolo sediments that,despite a strong level of contamination, seems to not affect in aproportional manner the biological compartment.

Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) adult specimens were reared in arecirculating aquarium under controlled conditions up to 4 weeks to evaluate the effect of the light andfeeding regime on gonad growth. Gonad yield and reproductive conditions were influenced by feedingregime, while light regime proved to have no effect on them.

Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) adult specimens were reared in a recirculating aquarium under controlled conditions up to 32 weeks to evaluate the effect of the prolonged rearing time on fertilization ability and on the sperm motility pattern. At the end of the trial all the evaluated parameters showed levels comparable to the field-matured specimens.

The results presented in this work are part of a pilot project aimed at the evaluation of the potential biodiesel production from algal biomass. Specifically, macroalgal and phytoplanktonic biomass of two Italian lagoon, Orbetello (north Tyrrhenian Sea) and Lesina (south Adriatic Sea), regarded as highly productive and eutrophic, were monitored in spring and summer 2011 and 2012. The study has been divided in two main sections. Firstly, a general qualitative outline of the submerged vegetation distribution by visual census techniques was conducted. Secondly, macroalgae and water samples for chlorophyll a determination were collected in order to study the primary production (in Kg.m-2 and ?g.L-1 for macroalgae and phytoplankton, respectively). Accordingly the lagoons have been divided into transects oriented according to the direction NS and WE. We obtained a total of 18 transects oriented in NW-SE direction in the Orbetello (8 in the western basin and 10 in the eastern basin) and 13 in the Lesina (10 of them in the "Sacca Orientale"). At the same time, physico-chemical parameters were measured by multiparametric probe. The results show a basic difference between the two systems, with a productivity shift towards phytoplankton biomass in Lesina and macroalgae in Orbetello. In Lesina, mean concentrations of chlorophyll a were 2.97 ± 3.63 ?g.L-1 (spring, with maximum of 15.27??g.L-1) and 2.36 ± 2.60 ?g.L-1 (summer, with peak of 12??g.L-1), while macroalgal biomass ranged from 1.9 to 2.6 kg.m-2 for both observation periods. Conversely, in Orbetello lagoon mean phytoplanktonic chlorophyll a did not exceed the level of 0.51 ±0.31 ?g.L-1 in spring and 0.81 ± 0.70 ?g.L-1 in summer (with maximum of 3.21 ?g.L-1), while biomass of submerged vegetation was always an order of magnitude greater. In particular, macroalgal biomass was higher in the western basin than in the Eastern one with mean values that increased from spring (28.2 Kg.m-2) to summer (66.1 kg.m-2). This study indicates that the high macroalgal production in Orbetello lagoon could be evaluated for biodiesel production, while in Lesina the macroalgae distribution is more casual e quantitatively less abundant.

The blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896), a native to western Atlantic coasts, is widely recorded in various Mediterranean regions,including the Gargano lagoons in the Adriatic Sea. This study investigated selected biological traits of Callinectes sapidus females in theLesina and Varano lagoons during their breeding migration to more saline waters. In total, 19 individuals of Callinectes sapidus, 15 femalesand four males, were collected in the lagoons near the mouths of the seaward channels. The specimens' Carapace Width ranged from 115 to230 mm, classifying them as medium to large crabs. In Varano lagoon in April and May 2014, two ovigerous females with egg masses of63.39 g and 11.65 g respectively were captured. This represents the first record of ovigerous females of C. sapidus in this lagoon. Theaverage Gonado-Somatic Index was 2.91±1.82 and 1.65 ± 0.65 for the specimens captured in Varano and Lesina lagoons, respectively. Theaverage Hepato-Somatic Index was 3.88±0.80 and 4.22±0.31 for specimens captured in Varano and Lesina, respectively. Egg diameterranged between 0.23 and 0.35 mm. Histological analysis of gonads showed stages from III to V, with individuals in emission or postissuancestages. This study presents evidence of the establishment of C. sapidus populations in Varano lagoon in the south-west Adriatic Seaand provides additional information on this species in the Lesina and Varano lagoons.

A 4-wk rearing trial of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus was carried out in a closed-circuit system in the presence and absence of food supply to evaluate the short-term response of gametogenesis to different feeding conditions. At the end of the trial, the gonad index (GI) was calculated, histological analyses of the gonads were performed, gamete fertilization ability was evaluated, and sperm motility was assessed by computerized motility analysis. Starvation significantly affected gametogenesis, whereas developing gametes were always observed in fed animals, whose GI had doubled by the end of the 4-wk trial. No differences were recorded between gametes from reared (fed) urchins and wild-collected ones. Although spent gonads frequently contained unspawned motile spermatozoa or morphologically intact eggs, the fertilization ability of gametes from starved urchins was significantly lower. It may be concluded that, although they were at the end of the reproductive season, the specimens fed ad libitum were able to reactivate the gamete maturation process immediately. This ability can be used in short-term procedures for roe enhancement and gamete production, particularly for specimens from areas in which environmental conditions determine slow gametogenesis and a consequently short reproductive season.

Gamete cryopreservation is a biotechnology that can guarantee a continuous supply of gametes, regardless of the seasonal reproductive cycle. In this study we developed a protocol for the cryopreservation of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus spermatozoa, with a view to the creation of cryobanks of semen to be used as a model system in laboratory research and ecotoxicological tests. All the key phases of the procedure were separately considered and the effect on sperm motility was evaluated by means of computer assisted analysis. The best results were obtained using 7% dimethylsulfoxide in 1% NaCl plus 0.04. M trehalose as the extender, at a freezing rate of -20. °C/min. On thawing, in semen samples cryopreserved in accordance with this protocol the velocity parameters of the sub-population of rapid sperm (best performing spermatozoa) did not significantly differ from semen on collection; in addition also the fertilization ability was restored, and about 50% of normal developed plutei larvae were obtained by thawed semen. The developed protocol is rapid and easy-to-perform; moreover, the use of gametes from reared urchins makes it unnecessary to continuously collect specimens from natural populations, making this procedure a promising starting point for the creation of alternative and more sustainable methodologies in laboratory research on sea urchin gametes and embryos. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.

Sea urchins of the species Paracentrotus lividus, collected along the Southern Adriatic coast at the end of their reproductive season, were reared in a recirculating aquarium under controlled temperature and feeding conditions in order to induce off-season maturation of gametes to be used in toxicity bioassays. After 14 weeks of rearing, the gonad index was calculated, histological analyses of the gonads were performed, their fertilisation ability was measured and the EC50 for copper in embryotoxicity bioassays was evaluated. The sperm motility pattern (based on the percentages of total motile and rapid sperm, together with sperm velocity parameters) was assessed using a computerised analyser. All specimens showed a significant increase in gonad yield with respect to field-collected animals and were in prespawning or spawning stages. The motility parameters, fertilisation ability and EC50 level of the collected gametes were comparable to those of field-matured specimens. In conclusion, the Sea urchins reared under experimental conditions were characterised by faster gonad maturation than the field population, producing viable gametes and larvae whose biological response in toxicity bioassayswas similar to that of field-reared specimens of P. lividus.

Bio-physical properties along a transect from coastal to offshore waters of the Southern AdriaticSea (Gulf of Manfredonia) were monitored during a multidisciplinary cruise in March 2012 and are herereported. Absence of stratification and presence of two systems with different bio-physical characteristicswere highlighted. Coastal waters resulted colder and less salty than off-shore waters. Primary biomassdata evidenced an increase of the values from the surface coastal waters to the depth of 25 m. A decrease ofphytoplankton biomass was also detected at the off-shore waters.

Hydrobiological properties along a transect from coastal to offshore waters of the Southern Adriatic Sea (Gulf of Manfredonia) were monitored during a multidisciplinary cruise in March 2012 and are here reported. Absence of stratification and presence of two systems with different hydrobiological characteristics are highlighted. Coastal waters resulted colder and less salty than off-Shore waters. Primary biomass data evidenced an increase of the values from the surface coastal waters to the 25 m layer. A decrease of phytoplankton biomass was also detected at the off-shore waters.

The histological evaluation of the gonads of Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) has been carried out from April to November on specimens sampled along the mid-to-low Adriatic coast. The % of individuals with gonads in active gametogenesis never decreased until 50% also in summer months, when a resting period would be expected. This continuous presence of individuals with an active gametogenesis is very useful in order to set up rearing protocols for a short-term induction of gonad yield and gamete maturation.

A multidisciplinary approach that combines field measurements, artificial neural networks, water balance analyses and hydrodynamic modelling was developed to investigate the water budget and renewal capacity of semi-closed coastal systems. The method was applied to the Lesina Lagoon, a micro-tidal lagoon in the southern Adriatic Sea (Italy). Surface water flux between the lagoon and the sea was determined by neural network prediction and used as input in the analysis. Strong seasonal variations in the water budget equation were predicted. Fresh water inputs estimated by the water balance analysis were used as forcing by a calibrated finite element model to describe the water circulation and transport time scale of the lagoon's surface waters. The model highlighted the spatial heterogeneity of the renewal behaviour of the system, with a strong east-west water renewal time gradient. Knowledge of spatial distribution of water renewal times is crucial for understanding the lagoon's renewal capacity and explaining the high spatial variability of the biogeochemistry of the Lesina Lagoon.

L'anguilla europea è ampiamente usata come biomonitor nelle lagune costiere per la sua capacità di accumulare contaminanti durante la sua lunga vita, per i suoi bassi tassi di espulsione, per il suo comportamento ecologico e tolleranza ad alti livelli di inquinamento. In tale studio viene valutata la bontà dell'anguilla come bioindicatore di inquinamento in due lagune italiane (Orbetello e Varano). Campioni di sedimento superficiale e tessuti (fegato e muscolo) di anguille argentine, provenienti da catture commerciali, sono stati raccolti con lo scopo di determinare il contenuto degli inquinanti (organici ed inorganici), di valutare l'arricchimento nei tessuti e di correlare tali livelli alla potenziale differente pressione umana. Per valutare l'accumulo di contaminanti legato alle attività umane sono stati calcolati i fattori di arricchimento biologico (BEF), mentre l'analisi multivariata è stata usata per confrontare la pressione antropica sui due ecosistemi e l'influenza delle sorgenti di scarico. I risultati evidenziano una differenza significativa tra le lagune di Orbetello e Varano per ciò che riguarda i contaminanti organici nei sedimenti, con valori medi largamente più alti nella laguna di Orbetello. Stesso risultato è stato riscontrato dalle analisi dei tessuti delle anguille, evidenziando la presenza di un importante fonte locale di tale contaminazione ad Orbetello rispetto a Varano. In relazione agli inquinanti inorganici, arricchimenti significativi di alcuni elementi in traccia (per es. Zn e Cu) sono stati ritrovati in entrambi le lagune, con valori di BEF sensibilmente più alti nella laguna di Orbetello. In conclusione, i risultati ottenuti in questo studio confermano che l'anguilla europea rappresenta un buon indicatore della qualità delle lagune costiere. Sebbene la laguna di Varano risulti essere meno impattata da un punto di vista della qualità chimica rispetto ad Orbetello, dai fattori di accumulo è stato possibile differenziare la pressione antropica (origine) sulle due lagune. Nella laguna di Varano prevale l'inquinamento inorganico da elementi in traccia, dovuto ad intense attività agricole nel bacino imbrifero, mentre nella laguna di Orbetello è maggiore la biodisponibilità degli inquinanti organici, dovuti ad una maggiore industrializzazione ed urbanizzazione dell'area.

The aim of this study was to investigate the melatonin-mediated effects upon the neuroendocrine axis of the brackish killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus), a suitable experimental model to study reproductive events. The ability of melatonin to enhance reproductive capacity (fecundity, embryo survival and hatching rate) inducing the transcriptional activity of gonadotropin releasing hormone (gnrh), luteinizing hormone receptor (lhr) and melatonin receptor (mtnr) was investigated in adult females. Moreover, the melatonin-mediated enhancement of killifish sperm motility and velocity was found consistent with higher fecundity of melatonin-exposed fishes. As a further extent, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy evidenced a reduction of lipid unsaturation level on isolated spermatozoa from treated males. Moreover, the reduction of mtnr gene expression during embryo development and lower biometric parameters documented in the larvae from melatonin-exposed parents suggest that melatonin acts as a hormonal mediator able to transfer the environmental signal to oocytes and then to embryos as inheritance of adaptive environmental changes. These results support the positive role of melatonin on killifish reproduction and its role as a maternal factor on embryo and larval development. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.

A new approach to environmental studies was investigated by the authors, who propose the use of cryopreserved biological systems in ecotoxicological bioassays. The feasibility of spermiotoxicity tests using cryopreserved semen of the sea bream Sparus aurata, with sperm motility parameters as the endpoint, was evaluated. Thawed sperm was incubated in environmental samples (sediment elutriate and dumpsite leachate) and in a reference toxicant (cadmium) at scaled concentrations. Motility was then evaluated by video-microscopy using both visual and computer-assisted analyses. Activation time, sperm motility and velocity and motility duration were assessed on thawing and at the end of the incubation time, and the difference with respect to the control was statistically evaluated. All the endpoints of the bioassay proved to have good sensitivity even at the highest dilutions of the tested matrices. Observed differences in the sensitivity thresholds of the endpoints were considered to be representative of different aspects of sperm physiology. Therefore the proposed bioassay is a promising starting point for the development of toxicity tests that are increasingly tailored to the needs of ecotoxicology and environmental quality evaluation strategies for aquatic environments.

1 - The purpose of this study was to describe the basic characteristics of the European anchovy occurring in the Lagoon of Lesina in order to increase our knowledge of the ecology of the species in a lagoon ecosystem. 2 - Samples were collected between May and November 2012 using fyke nets. A hundred individuals per sample were measured and weighed. Sex was determined and the fish gonads were macroscopically classified. Length-frequency histograms were obtained, and the length-weight relationships and condition factors were estimated. 3 - The results of this study showed that the anchovies caught in the Lagoon of Lesina were relatively small. The growth of anchovies in the lagoon was often positively allometric (b>3) and exponent b was frequently greater than the value estimated for specimens in the Adriatic Sea in the same months. 4 - The sex ratio of anchovies in this study was skewed towards females in almost all the sampling period. Macroscopic analysis of the gonads revealed that spawning took place during spring-summer, and it prolonged until October in the females. One peak of ripe females and males was observed in June and one in August-September. 5 - This study suggests that the anchovy population in the Lagoon of Lesina is probably composed of a large number of young individuals at the first maturity. Individual growth seems to be positively affected by the environmental conditions of the lagoon, which probably provide the anchovies with a substantial trophic advantage. © 2013 University of Salento- SIBA.

Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes), Atherina boyeri Risso and Knipowitschia panizzae (Verga) are considered resident fish species in Italian coastal lagoons, which spend their entire life cycle within the brackish waters. They are short-lived species, with a small size, and a rapid growth and attainment of sexual maturity. All these fish species are included in the IUCN Red List with the status of Least Concern. A. fasciatus and K. panizzae are additionally listed in the Appendix III of the Bern Convention and in the Annex II of the European Union Habitat Directive.The aim of this study was to determine the population structures, to assess the length-weight relationships (LWRs) and to estimate the growth parameters of the target species in the lagoons of Lesina and Varano. This information is necessary for population assessments, which provide information that may be used in the management of fish populations in lagoon systems.Sampling of specimens was seasonally conducted in the two lagoons from May 2008 to February 2010. Fishes were caught at eleven stations by fyke nets with 6 mm mesh size at the end. In the laboratory, all specimens were identified to species, measured for total length and weighted. Sex was macroscopically determined.A total of 3,242 specimens of A. fasciatus, 1,664 specimens of A. boyeri and 1,060 specimens of K. panizzae were analyzed. The length frequency distribution, the LWR and the growth parameters were derived for each species in each lagoon. LWRs were estimated by linear regression analysis of the log-converted weight and total length data. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were determined through the ELEFAN-I software, using length frequency distribution. This study presents the first estimation for K. panizzae of LWRs and von Bertalanffy growth model parameters. Comparisons of the results were performed in relation to the lagoon environments and considering the knowledge about the species.

The seasonal variability of physico-chemical and biological parameters was observed from October 2012 to October 2013 inside and outside a farming area in the Southern Adriatic sea (Italy), to assess the impact of the mussel farming on ecology and biology of the area. Temperature showed a typical seasonal trend from 7°C to 27°C, while the salinity range was 34-39 psu. Oxygen saturation was close to 100% at the surface layers and decreased up to 60% near the bottom during the spring, suggesting its consumption by organic matter mineralization processes, which affected ammonia and phosphorous, with the highest concentrations measured outside area (4.73 ?M and 2.12 ?M, respectively). Increased values of oxidative nitrogen in winter (12.01 ± 3.67 ?M) were highlighted. A typical seasonal trend was observed for silicates from 5.59 ± 2.36 ?M in winter to 0.45 ± 0.28 ?M in spring. Chlorophyll a values reflected mixing and upwelling processes, with a peak of 6.70 ?g.l-1 in March, characteristic of the maximum phytoplankton production (1.53 x 106 cell.l-1). Diatoms represented the predominant taxonomic group (52%) in abundance and number of species for all the period, suggesting constant eutrophic conditions in both sites. The temporal trend of diatoms is roughly similar for both the sites, except for the spring-summer period, when a decrease of 50% of diatoms abundance was observed outside and a greater deviation of 80% was found inside the farming area.

Mediterranean lagoons are naturally exposed, during the dry season, to dystrophic and hypoxicevents determining dis-equilibrium conditions along temporal and spatial scales, which are linked tometabolism and life cycle of the biotic components.2 - In summer 2008, Lesina lagoon (SE Italian coastline) was interested by a geographically localizeddystrophic crisis which affected up to 8% of the total lagoon surface.3 - Temporal dynamics of principal descriptors of abiotic (water, sediment) and biotic (phytoplankton,benthic macroinvertebrate) compartments have been followed during the 2008 by collecting datainside stressed and control lagoon areas before a dystrophic event and in the six months after thedystrophic event.4 - The aim of the study was to analyse the pathways of ecosystem responses to dystrophic stress,searching for the characteristic scales of ecosystem compartment resistance and resilience.5 - The characteristic time-scale of abiotic and biotic component time responses varied from days,for the selected markers of the water column, to year, for the benthic ones. Short-term biotic andabiotic responses in the water column were strongly coupled while biotic and abiotic responses atthe sediment level were remarkably un-coupled. Dynamics and recovery time of water column andbenthic components do not match in Lesina following the dystrophic crisis, highlighting an intrinsicindividualistic behavior within the lagoon community driving ecosystem processes and ecosystemlevel responses.6 - Taxonomic and non-taxonomic descriptors of both phytoplankton and benthic macroinvertebratesshowed different response patterns as early warning signals and overall resilience. The emphasizeddifferences in the stability components, i.e., resistance and resilience, of water column andsediment abiotic and biotic characteristics as well as of taxonomic and non-taxonomic descriptorshas key implication in planning monitoring strategies and programs for transitional waters in theMediterranean and Black Sea EcoRegions.

Specimens of Engraulis encrasicolus (Osteichthyes: Clupeiformes) (Linnaeus, 1758) werecollected monthly from the Adriatic purse seine fishery from June to December 2013 in order to studythe reproductive traits and the condition of the population. Temporal trend of gonadosomatic index andmacroscopic examination of the maturity stages of gonads show that the temporal changes in anchovycondition appear to be related to the sexual cycle. Furthermore, anchovy seems not separate feeding andreproduction over the time.

Male adult specimens of the grooved carpet shell Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus, 1758)were collected from the Porto Pozzo lagoon (central-western Mediterranean) in order to evaluate if theirsperm motility is affected by the wide salinity variations of this area. The sperm motility parametersassessed by computer assisted analysis showed no significant differences in relation to the tested salinityrange.

The aim of this study was to evaluate, by computer-assisted analysis, the motility parameters of cryopreserved sea bream spermatozoa after prolonged storage (up to 5 years) in liquidnitrogen in comparison to the performances of fresh semen and of semen thawed 1 month after freezing (cryopreservation medium: 1% NaCl containing 5% DMSO; freezing rate: 10°C min
1; stored in liquid nitrogen). Semen samples were thawed 1 month and 5 years after cryopreservation. Sperm motility was analyzed by means of the Sperm Class Analyzer
(SCA, Microptic, Barcelona, Spain). The percentages of motile sperm and rapid sperm curvilinear velocity >100 lm s
1 only), and the curvilinear, straight-line and average path velocities (lm s
1) were evaluated. The percentages of total motile and rapid sperm, as well the relative velocity levels, were slightlylower in thawed semen than in fresh semen (for example, 85 vs 95% for total motile sperm; 70 vs 80% for rapid sperm; 200 vs 300 lm s
1 for VCLt; 250 vs 350 lm s
1 for VCLr). Data of all trials did not differ in relation to storage time. It can therefore be concluded that long-term storage of large amountsof cryopreserved semen was homogeneous, providing high quality sea bream semen for use in fertilization trials in both aquaculture and laboratory research.

The Italian Fixed-point ObservatoryNetwork (IFON) integrates well-established oceaninfrastructures managed by various national researchinstitutions (CNR, OGS, and ENEA). Theimplementation of this network was one of the aim ofthe SP5-WP3 of the Flagship Project RITMARE. Inthe first four years of the project, the state of art ofthe 15 operative sites has been completed and 2 morestations are operative from 2015-2016. For each site,the technical characteristics and methods oftransmission have been described, and for some sites,several upgrades were accomplished in order todevelop, integrate, and consolidate the network.Periodically, oceanographic cruises for themaintenance and implementation of the sites werecarried out.After the definition of the minimum requirements, thecriteria for the validation of physical andbiogeochemical data were determined. They include aselection of existing rules, procedures andrecommendations on automatic data Quality Control(QC), and their validation in Near Real Time (NRT).These procedures are intended to unify the validationcriteria of the parameters collected daily from thenetwork and to provide the scientific community witha homogeneous and comparable set of data of theItalian seas. Within the WP3, a relocatable observingsystem for emergencies at sea was implemented. Somenew instruments were bought and some others wereupgraded. In addition, the IFON was enriched with anair-sea observatory in Lampedusa Island with a newbuoy deployed during summer 2015

Soft bottom macrozoobenthic distribution, as well as its composition, biomass and diversity werestudied at 9 stations in the Gulf of Manfredonia. Polychaeta were numerically the dominant component(71%), followed by Crustacea (21%) and Bivalvia (2%). The highest biodiversity was observed at thestations in near-shore of the study area.

Lo scopo del lavoro è stato quello di descrivere lo stato ecologico della Sacca Orientale della laguna di Lesina (FG), considerando la comunità macrobentonica e la vegetazione sommersa. Sono stati fatti campionamenti stagionali (2010) in 13 stazioni. In ogni stazione sono state misurate T°C, Salinità e O% dell'acqua e prelevato mediante box-corer (0.0225m2) la macrofauna bentonica e la vegetazione. Il campione, separato dalla vegetazione è stato setacciato in situ, con setaccio di 1 mm. Per ogni stazione è stata rilevata la biomassa umida (gr/m2) e le specie vegetali, l'abbondanza (ind/m2), la biomassa umida (gr/m2) e calcolato gli indici strutturali della comunità bentonica. Per la vegetazione sono state identificate 8 categorie, 7 determinate a livello di specie e 1 a livello di genere. Della macrofauna bentonica sono stati identificati 16 taxa, 15 a livello di specie e 1 a livello di genere, raggruppati in 13 famiglie. Il numero maggiore di famiglie apparteneva ai crostacei (4). Il gruppo più abbondante sono stati i gasteropodi (50%), seguito dai bivalvi (21%) e crostacei (11%). I bivalvi e i crostacei sono stati i più ricchi di specie (4). L'abbondanza media non ha mostrato differenze significative sia tra i campionamenti che tra le stazioni (Anova, p non significativo). Differenze significative tra i mesi sono state osservate per l'indice di Shannon (p<0.05). L'abbondanza, l'indice di Shannon e Margalef hanno mostrato correlazioni positive con la presenza della vegetazione (r=0.61, r=0.34,r=0.34; p<0.05). I risultati hanno evidenziato una comunità bentonica strutturata, ricca di specie e di famiglie, dominate dai Filtratori-Detrivori e Erbivori-Detrivori.

Spatial and temporal variability in zooplankton was studied at eight stations located in the Lesina Lagoon (South Adriatic Sea) Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a (in the lagoon)at these stations were also assessed. The zooplankton community was characterised by clear seasonal oscillations and mostly represented by copepods and their larvae. The dominant copepod species were Calanipeda aquaedulcis and Acartia tonsa, which exhibited spatial-temporal segregation in the lagoon. C. aquaedulcis copepodites seemed to be better adapted to oligotrophic and oligohaline conditions compared with the A. tonsa population. The invasive species A. tonsa has completely replaced the formerly abundant Acartia margalefi. A positive correlation was found between abundances, total species numbers and trophic state. An increasing abundance trend was shown from the lagoon towards the sea. The highest diversity indices were recorded at the two channel inlets, during high tide due to the absence of a clear dominance of one or more coastal species and the co-occurrence of species of lagoon and marine origin.