Spatial distribution of the black coral Leiopathes glaberrima (Esper, 1788) (Antipatharia: Leiopathidae) in the Mediterranean: a prerequisite for protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs)

D Massi,S Vitale,A Titone,G Milisenda,M Gristina,F Fiorentino

doi:10.1080/24750263.2018.1452990

D Massi, S Vitale + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1080/24750263.2018.1452990

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Abstract

Leiopathes glaberrima is an important component of the deep coral forests of the Mediterranean Sea enhancing benthic biodiversity and forming an essential habitat for many marine organisms. It is a sessile species with high longevity; it is therefore highly affected by fishing impacts and has been listed as a representative taxon of Vulnerable Marine Ecoystems (VMEs). Since information on spatial distribution of L. glaberrima is still scanty and fragmented, an updated synopsis of its distribution in the Mediterranean is given, including two new records in the Strait of Sicily. On the basis of this updated information, hotspots of black coral off the Carloforte Island in the Sardinian Sea, on the Marco Bank and off the Pontine Islands in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, and on the Malta Graben in the Strait of Sicily are proposed for implementation of Fishery Restricted Areas.

Highlights

Antipatharians, or black corals, have an important structuring role both in tropical reefs and in temperate ecosystems.In the last few decades, the coral communities of the Mediterranean Sea have been widely studied
The aim of this paper is to provide a synoptic review of the available information on spatial distribution and main biological features of L. glaberrima in the Mediterranean
Maria di Leuca and Cephalonia Ridge) and in the southern Adriatic Sea. It is worth noting the occurrence of pristine L. glaberrima “forest” in the Sardinian Sea (Carloforte Shoal), in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Marco Bank off Northern Sicily and off Pontine Islands – Palmarola and Zannone) and in the Strait of Sicily (Malta Graben)

Summary

Introduction

Antipatharians, or black corals, have an important structuring role both in tropical reefs and in temperate ecosystems.In the last few decades, the coral communities of the Mediterranean Sea have been widely studied. Leiopathes glaberrima has a wide spatial distribution, occurring in the Pacific Ocean, in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean (Macaronesian Archipelago and Bay of Biscay) and in the Mediterranean Sea (Opresko & Baron-Szabo 2001). This species occurs in a wide bathymetric range, living between 100 and 2048 m (Molodstova 2014). Trawlers directly produce a reduction in the coral coverage on the swept bottoms, while long lines produce mainly indirect damage due to the abrasion by entangled gears on the colonies (Bo et al 2014a). Lost fishing gear can accumulate on the sea bottom, covering wide areas and hindering coral recolonization

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