Diversity of Fucales (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae) along the Coasts of Lipari and Vulcano (Aeolian Archipelago), Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

This study explored the biodiversity of Fucales along the islands of Lipari and Vulcano, almost ten years after the last studies on the phytobenthos of these islands. To carry out this research, a monitoring activity was conducted through both scuba dives and snorkelling activities. Through this study, a total of 13 species (four belonging to Cystoseira, three to Ericaria, two to Gongolaria, and four to Sargassum) was observed. When comparing the present data with past studies, nine species were previously reported, ten taxa were not found in the present study, and four taxa were reported here for the first time in the Aeolian Archipelago. The alpha (local) diversity was higher in Vulcano than in Lipari. Moreover, the beta (turnover) diversity showed a different assemblage in species grouping between the two islands. Since some of the observed species are currently considered rare or in regression, their finding in the Aeolian Archipelago is of particular interest. Therefore, they should receive special consideration, particularly in light of the possible future establishment of a marine protected area (MPA) in the Aeolian Archipelago.

Ecology and Phenology of the Subtidal Brown Alga Sargassum furcatum (Ochrophyta, Fucales), a Likely Non-Indigenous Species from the Mediterranean Sea

“…As concerns the reproductive period, in the study areas, this species is fertile from June to August, with the maximum fertility observed in July. The reproductive period observed during this study aligns with that reported by Blanfuné et al [17] for the same species in France and Corsica, and for other Sargassum species present in Sicily [18,38].…”

“…Virgin Islands and Antilles -- [20] Venezuela -- [21] Salvage Islands -- [22] Cuba 2-4 Rocky [9,23] Brazil 1-5 Sandy [19,24,25] Trinidad and Tobago -- [26] Mexico -- [27,28] Canary Islands -- [29] Madeira -- [30] Costa Rica 0-1.5 Rocky and sandy [31] Azores -- [32] Puerto Rico Up to 17 - [33] Pacific Ocean Philippines -- [34] Mediterranean Sea Spain 12 - [16] Italy 4-28 Rocky and sandy [14,18] France and Corsica Upper and medium infralittoral - [17]…”