Papers by Margherita Licciano
Marine Drugs
Aquaculture expansion is limited by the negative environmental impact of the waste and the need f... more Aquaculture expansion is limited by the negative environmental impact of the waste and the need for alternative sources in the diet of reared fish. In this framework, for the first time, the survival rates, biomass gain, and fatty acid profiles of the polychaete Sabella spallanzanii and the macroalga Chaetomorpha linum, reared/cultivated as bioremediators in an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system (IMTA), were evaluated for their potential reuse applications. Results showed that these organisms represent a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6. On account of the overall results and the high biomass obtained as by-products, a preliminary study was performed employing both S. spallanzanii and C. linum as new dietary ingredients to feed different sized Dicentrarchus labrax. Fish survival rate, biomass growth, and specific growth rate were determined resulting in no significant differences between control and treated fishes. Histological analyses showed no alterations of the stoma...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2016
The present work analyzed three hard-bottom and two soft-bottom species of sabellid polychaetes t... more The present work analyzed three hard-bottom and two soft-bottom species of sabellid polychaetes to determine the content of several heavy metals in their branchial crown and body. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were recorded in the hard-bottom species Branchiomma bairdi, a recent Mediterranean introduction. Differences in the metal concentrations were most notable in the high trace metal levels of the branchial crown for all the studied species. Statistical analysis showed that the Mediterranean hard-bottom species were similar each other in their heavy metal content in the body as well as in the branchial crown and appeared separated from all the other species. Arsenic and vanadium hyperaccumulation in the branchial crowns of the considered sabellid species probably acts as a deterrent for predation. The observed differences among the examined species were discussed not only at the light of habitat colonization but also in terms of the phylogeny.
Science of The Total Environment, 2016
We investigated and compared, by laboratory experiments, the filter-feeding activity on bacteria ... more We investigated and compared, by laboratory experiments, the filter-feeding activity on bacteria by the solitary ascidian Styela plicata and the colonial ascidian Polyandrocarpa zorritensis. Clearance rates and retention efficiencies were estimated by using, as only food source, the bacterial species Vibrio alginolyticus selected on account of its importance in aquaculture pathogenicity. The Cmax was 1.4±0.17Lh(-1)g(-1) DW for S. plicata and 1.745Lh(-1)g(-1) DW for P. zorritensis. The highest retention efficiency was 41% corresponding to a removed bacterial biomass of 16.34+1.71 μgCL(-1)g(-1) DW for P. zorritensis and 81% corresponding to a bacterial biomass of 32.28+2.15 μgCL(-1)g(-1) DW for S. plicata. Styela plicata resulted higher efficient than P. zorritensis in removing V. alginolyticus from seawater in experimental tanks, thus representing a more suitable biofilter to restore the quality of microbiologically contaminated waters including those where aquaculture is practiced. Present laboratory experiments represent the first contribution to the comparison of the filtration activity of the two ascidians, as well as to characterize the filtration process on bacterioplankton and pone the basis for future field works aimed to restore bacteriological polluted seawater.
Water Research, Nov 30, 2005
The influence exerted by filter-feeding activity on bacterial density by two sabellid species fro... more The influence exerted by filter-feeding activity on bacterial density by two sabellid species from the Mediterranean Sea (Ionian Sea, Italy), Branchiomma luctuosum Grube and Sabella spallanzanii Gmelin (Annelida: Polychaeta) was investigated. Clearance rates and retention efficiencies were estimated utilizing the species Vibrio alginolyticus selected on account of previous field studies and its importance in fish culture pathogenicity. The C max was 43.272.63 L h À1 g À1 DW for B. luctuosum and 12.472.22 L h À1 g À1 DW for S. spallanzanii. The Retention efficiency was 98% corresponding to a removed bacterial biomass of 44.8+7.88 mgC L À1 g À1 DW for B. luctuosum and 70% corresponding to a bacterial biomass of 23.8+2.95 mgC L À1 g À1 DW for S. spallanzanii. Maximum retention was recorded after 20 min for the first species and after 30 min for the second one. Present laboratory experiments represent a contribution to the knowledge of the filtration activity of the two polychaetes, characterizing the filtration process on bacterioplankton. Both species resulted extremely efficient in removing V. alginolyticus from seawater in experimental tanks, thus confirming the previous data from the field studies and suggesting their employment as biofilters of microbially contaminated waters in intensive aquaculture. r
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 07924259 2013 793622, 2014
Mesozooplankton was collected during two cruises in the Bay of Vlora (Albania), in May 2007 and J... more Mesozooplankton was collected during two cruises in the Bay of Vlora (Albania), in May 2007 and January 2008, respectively. A total of 64 samples were analysed, from 16 sampling points. A total of 198 categories of mesozooplankton were recognized, and 62 of them were not shared by both periods. The present study offers the first detailed faunal list for a coastal site in Albania, and the record of some rare species the Mediterranean Sea (the trachymedusa Geryona, and the hydromedusa Bouganvillia). A progressive growth of the confinement grade has been evidenced passing from the external stations to the most internal ones. The internal area of the Bay was characterized by high abundances of individuals corresponding to a relatively low number of species if compared with the outer stations. The space characterization of the Bay was clearer than those derived from a similar study conducted on micro and phytoplankton. The two seasons appeared sharply separated, and a gradient was eviden...
Biol. Mar. Mediterr, 2008
Dip. di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1 - 56100 Pisa, Italia. acastelli@biologia.unipi... more Dip. di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1 - 56100 Pisa, Italia. acastelli@biologia.unipi.it 1Dip. per lo studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse, Università di Genova, Corso Europa, 26 - 16132 Genova, Italia. 2Dip. di Biologia Animale, Università ...
Biol. Mar. Mediterr, 2008
Dip. di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1 - 56100 Pisa, Italia. acastelli@biologia.unipi... more Dip. di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via Derna, 1 - 56100 Pisa, Italia. acastelli@biologia.unipi.it 1Dip. per lo studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse, Università di Genova, Corso Europa, 26 - 16132 Genova, Italia. 2Dip. di Biologia Animale, Università ...
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2015
We investigated the bacterial accumulation and digestion capability of Polyandrocarpa zorritensis... more We investigated the bacterial accumulation and digestion capability of Polyandrocarpa zorritensis, a non-indigenous colonial ascidian originally described in Peru and later found in the Mediterranean. Microbiological analyses were carried out on homogenates from "unstarved" and "starved" ascidians and seawater from the same sampling site (Adriatic Sea, Italy). Culturable heterotrophic bacteria (22°C), total culturable bacteria (37°C) and vibrios abundances were determined on Marine Agar 2216, Plate Count Agar and TCBS Agar, respectively. Microbial pollution indicators were measured by the most probable number method. All the examined microbiological groups were accumulated by ascidians but differently digested. An interesting outcome is the capability of P. zorritensis to digest allochthonous microorganisms such as coliforms as well as culturable bacteria at 37°C, counteracting the effects of microbial pollution. Thus, the potential exploitation of these filter feeders to restore polluted seawater should be taken into consideration in the management of this alien species.
Environmental science and pollution research international, Jan 24, 2015
Pollutants in marine coastal areas are mainly a consequence of anthropogenic inputs, and microorg... more Pollutants in marine coastal areas are mainly a consequence of anthropogenic inputs, and microorganisms often play a major role in determining the extent of this pollution. Thus, practical and eco-friendly techniques are urgently required in order to control or minimise the pathogenic bacterial problem. The bacterial accumulation of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck 1919) in the presence or absence of another filter feeder, the demosponge Hymeniacidon perlevis (Montagu 1818) on sewage flowing into the Northern Ionian Sea has been estimated in a laboratory study. On account of the interesting results obtained, we also evaluated the bioremediation capability of the sponges when reared in co-culture with mussels. Specimens of M. galloprovincialis and H. perlevis were collected from the Mar Grande and from the Second Inlet of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Italy), respectively. In the laboratory, we detected the bacterial abundances in the sewage, in sponge homogenate...
In the framework of a research on taxonomy and ecology of selected families of polychaetes conduc... more In the framework of a research on taxonomy and ecology of selected families of polychaetes conducted at the field station of the Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC, USA) at Carrie Bow Cay (Belize, Western Caribbean Sea) on November 2005, several qualitative benthic samples from different habitats and substrate types (Thalassia testudinum shoots, fragments of dead hard corals, sponges) have been analyzed. In some of these samples, specimens of Sabellidae were found, revealing, together with some taxa already known for the area, the presence of two new species, Megalomma fauchaldi sp. nov., and Pseudoaugeneriella spongicola sp. nov., this latter representing a genus newly reported from the Caribbean. Sabellidae biodiversity and systematics between Caribbean and Mediterranean regions is also compared.
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Papers by Margherita Licciano