Document of bibliographic reference 338257

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Molluscan assemblages associated with photophilic algae in the Marine Reserve of Ustica Island (Lower Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Abstract

Very few studies have addressed the effect of protection on macrozoobenthos in marine protected areas, and particularly for sites in the Mediterranean Sea. In the present study, the molluscan assemblages associated with photophilic algal communities of the Marine Reserve of Ustica Island, were investigated. A survey was carried out along transects from 1 to 15 m in depth, during the spring of 1996 at three different sites, subjected to different levels of reserve protection. Species richness and number of individuals reflected the level of protection, and both variables were significantly higher in the integral (most heavily protected) part of the reserve compared with the less well protected buffer areas. Species diversity values showed no correlation with the level of protection. The results reported here do not agree with previous findings on the ‘reserve effect’ involving large‐sized macrozoo‐benthic species. However, the data reported, together with a study on polychaetes from the same study sites, and visual census observations concerning the fish assemblage of the island may support the hypothesis that protection of piscivore and macrocar‐nivore species within the integral reserve suppresses populations of small‐sized microcarnivorous fish species, allowing ‘prey‐release’ of small benthic invertebrates.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000090072600009

Bibliographic citation

Milazzo, M.; Chemello, R.; Badalamenti, F.; Riggio, S. (2000). Molluscan assemblages associated with photophilic algae in the Marine Reserve of Ustica Island (Lower Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Ital. J. Zoolog. 67(3): 287-295. https://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/11250000009356326

Is peer reviewed

true

Access rights

open access

Is accessible for free

true