Seagrasses biodiversity (Posidonia oceanica and Zostera marina) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Biogeographia vol. XXIV - 2003 (Printed October, 31st 2003) Marine biogeography of the Mediterranean Sea: patterns and dynamics of biodiversity Seagrasses biodiversity (Posidonia 0C€eZ7’lZt'6l and Zosrem marina) in the Mediterranean Sea CARLA MICHELi*, PATRIZIA PAGANIN*, MASSIMO MAFFUCCP‘, TANIA DOLCE**, GIUSEPPE NASCETTI***, ANDREA PEIRANO+, CARLO NIKE BIANCHF’, ANDREA RlSMONDO°°, DANIELE CURIEL°° *ENE/l Cemro Rivers/ye Czzszzccizz, C1’. 2400, I—00I00 Roma (Italy) “Lab. 512' Ecologizz Sperimmrzzle edAtquz'c0[tzmz, Universrriz (Xi Tor Vergzmz, Via Cmcovizz, I—00I33 Roma (Ital)/) ***Dz'pzzrtimmto di Scienze Anzbienrzzlz} Um'z2errz'tr‘z dellzz Tuscizz, Viz! S. Camilla De Le/lis, 1-0] 100 Vitereo (Italy) °ENE/I Cmrro Ricerc/JeA712bI'mre Marina, CP. 2241, 1-191 00 La Spezizz (Ital/y) °°Sc[c Scar! V222 de[[’E/etwicitiz 5D, 1-301 75 Venezia—Marg/Jera (Italy) Key words: Parr’:/miia occzzn/czz (L.) Delile, Zosrem mzzri/1/1 L., genetic variability, Mediterranean, Venice lagoon. SUMMARY Aim of this paper is to asses the genetic variability oFMediterranean seagrasses such as Panda;/in urczznim and Zastem mzzrinrz by Random Amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique, and to correlate it to primary productivity. The study was carried out for I 1 populations of P. ommiczz collected in different Mediterranean localities, along the coast, around the isles, and transplanted in the protected park of Port—Ctos and for two populations of Z. zmzrirm sampled in Malamocco central basin oFVenice lagoon (San Pietro in Volta and Alberoni). Results of this research enable us to assess genetic variability for distinct groups of P. accrznim populations in the Mediterranean in relation to primary production. Instead, Z. mtlriml revealed an high genetic variability within and among the two populations located to a distance ofonly 5 km in Malamocco basin confirming the role of this plant as cosmopolitan species for its phenotypic plasticity. INTRODUCTION Seagrasses contribute significantly to the productivity of coastal areas in both temperate and tropical Waters (Phillips et al., 1983). The endemic Mediterranean species Posidonia ocermiaz Delile, Cymodocezz nodaszz, Zoszfem mrzrimz and Z. noltii, play the major role in the primary production of the beds in the species succession. In particular Z. marina and Z. noltii have long been reported in the lagoon of Venice and in various Mediterranean localities. In fact Z. rmzrinrz comprises a significant structural element of both in the lagoon and coastal environments throughout the temperate northern hemisphere. It