Colonisers of the dark: biostalactite‐associated metazoans from “lu Lampiùne” submarine cave (Apulia, Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

Metazoan/microbial bioconstructions, or biostalactites (BSTs), discovered in submarine caves of Apulia c. 20 years ago—and later found in several shallow‐water Mediterranean caves—are receiving increasing attention in the last years. Examination of a single BST from the “lu Lampiùne” cave (Apulia), at the limit between the Adriatic and the Ionian seas, has been addressed for the first time in this paper. The BST started growing at c. 6,000 years ago with a rapid accretion of large‐sized serpulids (Protula), slowing down since about 3,000–4,000 years ago with a shift in main bioconstructors, probably caused by environmental changes. The present‐day community on the outer BST surface is dominated by skeletonised epibionts, mostly small‐sized serpulids, bryozoans and foraminifers, which contribute carbonate to the BST growth, by encrusting sponges, and by a few endobionts, including boring bivalves and insinuating sponges. New data remarkably increase biodiversity known for the “lu Lampiùne” cave and the cave habitat in the region. Thirty‐five taxa (16 bryozoans, 10 serpulids, 3 brachiopods, 2 foraminifers, 2 sponges, 1 bivalve and 1 cirriped) are recorded for the first time from Apulian marine caves, highlighting the need for further research in the area. In addition, the BST‐associated community seems to differ from those of individual BSTs from other Mediterranean caves, revealing the individuality of these communities.

Brachiopod Fauna from the Deep Mediterranean Sea: Distribution Patterns and Ecological Preferences

“…The high frequency of records of the identified brachiopod species in this bathymetric zone is consistent with their known depth range [16,26,32], except for N. anomala. This species is most commonly found colonising shallow-water submarine caves, where it creates dense populations cemented to the dark walls and ceilings [5,6,[8][9][10], even if it is known to be a eurybathic species, with its deepest records around 1480 m [26,56]. In the present study, N. anomala occurred from 60 m to 515 m, with the main distribution range between 147 m and 397 m. This adds interesting new information about the optimal bathymetric distribution of N. anomala, which is confirmed to be a typical deep-sea species adapted to colonise submarine caves with similar environmental conditions.…”

“…This hindered the diversification of brachiopods and allowed the survival only of the deeper species, those beyond the photic zone, where they could feed on the products of decomposition of this new plankton [3,4]. For the same reason, various species found refuge in shallow-water cave environments, where they also escaped grazing and predation [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Serpulid-microbialitic bioconstructions from the upper Sarmatian (Middle Miocene) of the Central Paratethys Sea (NW Hungary) – witnesses of a microbial sea

“…Interesting examples of metazoan and microbial bioherms are well documented from Mediterranean caves (e.g., Guido et al, 2017Guido et al, , 2022Rosso et al, 2021). These are known as biostalactites and are composed of a variety of metazoans besides microbialites.…”

Radiocarbon Dating of Marine Samples: Methodological Aspects, Applications and Case Studies

“…In the marine environment, there are different examples of biogenic formations such as reef structures formed by the carbonate skeletal materials of different organisms [20][21][22][23][24]. These structures are typically suitable for 14 C analysis considering that they form their skeletons by up-taking carbon from the surrounding sea where 14 C is dissolved from the atmosphere.…”