This study investigated the diversity and distribution of dwarf crocodiles in eight bushmeat markets in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The markets surveyed were New Benin, Oliha, Uselu, Oba Market, Ekiuwa, Ugbighokogho, Evbotubu, and Third Market between October 2022 and May 2023. A multi-method approach was employed, combining observation and measurement techniques. The Shannon-Wiener Index (H'), Simpson's Index (D), and Species Evenness (E) were calculated to determine the diversity and distribution of dwarf crocodiles. The results showed that Ekiuwa and Ugbighokogho markets had the highest Shannon-Wiener Index (H') values of 0.84 and 0.86, respectively, indicating higher species diversity. These markets also had the lowest Simpson's Index (D) values of 0.41 and 0.39, respectively, indicating lower species dominance. Additionally, Ekiuwa and Ugbighokogho markets had the highest Species Evenness (E) values of 0.92 and 0.94, respectively, indicating a more even distribution of individuals among species. However, when considering the monthly variation, Oliha, Ugbighokogho, and 3rd Market had the highest Shannon-Wiener Index (H') values of 1.05, 1.06, and 1.05, respectively, indicating higher species diversity. The results suggest that some markets have higher species diversity and evenness, indicating a more sustainable trade. The study recommends that conservation efforts focus on regulating the trade in dwarf crocodiles and promoting sustainable harvesting practices.

Since 1998, phytoplankton communities have been systematically studied at five stations in the northern and central parts of the Venice Lagoon (VL). The long-term maintenance of this phytoplankton data series, alongside similar datasets for other communities (e.g., zooplankton, macrozoobenthos, and macrophytes), has contributed to the inclusion of the VL as a site in the Italian Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network. In this paper, we synthesize key insights into the phytoplankton ecology of the VL’s LTER stations, based exclusively on published studies. Specifically, we provide an overview of phytoplankton taxonomic composition, morphological traits, seasonal succession, long-term trends and interactions with the other components of the planktonic communities.

The aim of this review is to reconstruct the scientific research on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins carried out in the artificial lakes of Sardinia (Italy), the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, over a period of about 50 years, from the 1970s to the present. The information contained in scientific articles in Web of Science and Scopus databases was analysed using specific keywords. In addition, scientific articles not included in the above-mentioned databases were considered if they were published after a peer review process or if they were available on the website of public institutions. The analysis resulted in the identification of 60 scientific papers containing information on cyanobacteria and/or cyanotoxins, leading to a list of 77 taxa signalled and four groups of cyanotoxins ascertained (microcystins, anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin; β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine, BMAA). In addition to these results, we point out the research we are carrying out and would like to continue in the future, a future in which it will be extremely important to be able to juggle the expected progressive affirmation of cyanobacteria and related issues. We highlight the difficulty of finding scientific articles published before the 2000s in the most widely used databases (Web of Science and Scopus), despite the fact that the production is rich and cutting-edge compared to the period in which the research was carried out. Finally, we signal the importance of close collaboration between institutions to obtain the results reported, the overcoming of disciplinary boundaries and the development of a collaborative rather than competitive environment between different research groups in dealing with such complex topics.

The nearshore region of a coastal ecosystem is an everchanging, dynamic, transitional zone between land and open sea. It is a highly productive area because of sufficient sunlight and nutrients. The main aim of this research is to study the diversity and abundance of zooplankton especially holoplankton and meroplankton in relation with physicochemical factors for one year with their seasonality. Along with the diversity indices, multivariate ordination indices like Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were applied to study the diversity and their relationship with physicochemical factors. PERMANOVA was also used to test whether the abundance and physicochemical factors differed significantly across sampling sites and seasons. The study showed that holoplankton diversity in the Fishing Harbour (FH) was highest during the pre-monsoon season and lowest during the post-monsoon season. The meroplankton diversity was the highest during the pre-monsoon season and lowest during the monsoon season which was also recorded from the FH. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that Salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and primary productivity as the significant physicochemical parameters affecting the Holoplankton and Meroplankton diversity. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) for holoplankton showed that salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and primary productivity were positively related with copepods. While non-copepod species were positively related with salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen except primary productivity. Similarly, meroplankton groups showed positive correlation with temperature only.

This paper introduces and summarises a selection of contributions that were presented during a workshop on cyanobacterial blooms held at S. Michele all’Adige (Trento) in December 2023. The meeting originated with an increasing interest in a reciprocal exchange of knowledge and experiences between government bodies and research institutions following the widespread cyanobacterial blooms detected in the southern Alpine area and other Italian regions. The papers have been collected in the special issue “Potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms in the southern Alps and the Italian peninsula”.

In recent years, there has been a rise in cyanobacterial blooms, and climate warming is believed to be a key driver sustaining these changes. Climate change may affect the geographic distribution of potentially toxigenic species and cyanobacteria, leading to the appearance of new threats in previously unexposed areas. Recently, the potentially toxic cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis (Cylindrospermopsis) raciborskii, known for forming blooms, has increased its presence, particularly in temperate regions. In this work, we expanded the knowledge about the distribution of R. raciborskii in Northern Italy. Specifically, we reported new observations recorded during the last decade based on investigations carried out in the framework of scientific and government monitoring and large biogeographical surveys carried out on the whole Alpine Space area. The detection of R. raciborskii in Northern Italy highlights the importance of closely monitoring freshwater quality and implementing measures to prevent the spread of harmful organisms.

Water is essential for health, and climate change can compromise its quality. The Local Brianza Health Protection Agency (ATS) has initiated a biennial monitoring project of water supply sources to ensure safe and clean water access, in line with the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030. The project has identified vulnerabilities in the water supply chain, finding the presence of cyanobacteria in 19.7% of samples. Risk assessment results show that climatic conditions could influence the vulnerability of sources.

In this paper, we briefly describe episodes of cyanobacterial blooms that have occurred in lakes of northern Italy since 2000. In addition to listing the species involved in these blooms, we provide information on the trophic and ecological status of the water bodies and the presence of algal toxins. Furthermore, we report an example of a risk assessment effort aimed at developing a quality control system for water intended for human consumption. The use of high-frequency monitoring techniques, integrated with predictive modelling, remote sensing, and molecular analysis for species identification, is becoming increasingly important in the context of the effects of ongoing climate change.

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a toxic cyanobacterium that can form blooms potentially harmful to humans and animals. The proliferation of this species is difficult to predict, and its blooms are hard to detect as they cause just a moderate change in water colour. Global warming might increase the incidence of its proliferation worldwide. This trend was observed also by ARPAE that detected a growth in the presence of this alga in Emilia Romagna lakes and reservoirs in the last three years. This note describes the monitoring activities conducted by ARPAE during these algal blooms and the risk management actions implemented.

This short note illustrates some algal blooms caused by potentially toxic cyanobacteria in water bodies in the NE Alps, focusing in particular on the last ten years. The data illustrated come from monitoring activities, bathing health assessments, and analyses carried out on citizen reports. The most important blooms were caused by Planktothrix rubescens, Dolichospermum spp., and Microcystis aeruginosa, and affected Lakes Ledro, Caldonazzo, and Serraia. Experience in the Trentino region has highlighted the importance of effective and timely communication between the monitoring institutions and the users of the lake, to minimize any negative health effects and to increase the knowledge of the population.