| Title | TROPHIC STRUCTURE AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN A SPAWNING AREA OF ENGRAULIS ENCRASICOLUS |
| Abstract | The abundance, biomass and size-structure of planktonic populations, and the microbial metabolic processes were studied in the Sicily Channel, one of the most important spawning areas in the Mediterranean for anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), a pelagic species of commercial interest. Results showed that prokaryotes contribute for the 83% of total carbon biomass. Microphytoplankton abundances and biomasses were dominated by autotrophic nanoflagellates and dinoflagellates (36 identified species) and contribute 11% of total biomass. The microzooplanktonic biomass showed its maximum at the surface or subsurface and its contribution was low (4%). The study highlights the prevalence of pico-sized fractions within the whole phytoplankton biomass expressed as chlorophyll content, suggesting the importance of picophytoplankton in sustaining the microbial food web in an oligotrophic area. Autotrophic production exceeded oxidation by respiration; at the same time, prokaryotic activities and eggs distribution co-varied with temperature, even if the microbial activities were quite depressed, indicating that ecosystem functioning was active at low trophic levels and confirming the general oligotrophy of the Sicily Channel. The results obtained confirmed that the area acted as a nursery for small fish and both autotrophic and heterotrophic processes supported by microorganisms were in synergy. |
| Source | Estuarine, coastal and shelf science (Online) 207, pp. 215–222 |
| Keywords | microbial communityplankton size-structureanchovy spawning areaSicily Channeloligotrophic watersMediterranean Sea |
| Journal | Estuarine, coastal and shelf science (Online) |
| Editor | Academic Press,, London, Stati Uniti d'America |
| Year | 2018 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ecss.2018.04.008 |
| Authors | Zaccone R, Azzaro M, Azzaro F, Caruso G, Caroppo C, Decembrini F, Diociaiuti T, Fonda Umani S, Leonardi M, Maimone G, Monticelli L, Paranhos R, Placenti F, Cuttitta A, Patti B, La Ferla R |
| Text | 385970 2018 10.1016/j.ecss.2018.04.008 ISI Web of Science WOS WOS 000440265300022 Scopus 2 s2.0 85045554995 microbial community plankton size structure anchovy spawning area Sicily Channel oligotrophic waters Mediterranean Sea TROPHIC STRUCTURE AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN A SPAWNING AREA OF ENGRAULIS ENCRASICOLUS Zaccone R, Azzaro M, Azzaro F, Caruso G, Caroppo C, Decembrini F, Diociaiuti T, Fonda Umani S, Leonardi M, Maimone G, Monticelli L, Paranhos R, Placenti F, Cuttitta A, Patti B, La Ferla R CNR IAMC Messina, Italy CNR IRSA Taranto, Italy CoNISMa, University of Trieste, Italy CNPq, UFRJ, Institute of Biology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CNR IAMC, Capo Granitola, Trapani, Italy The abundance, biomass and size structure of planktonic populations, and the microbial metabolic processes were studied in the Sicily Channel, one of the most important spawning areas in the Mediterranean for anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus , a pelagic species of commercial interest. Results showed that prokaryotes contribute for the 83% of total carbon biomass. Microphytoplankton abundances and biomasses were dominated by autotrophic nanoflagellates and dinoflagellates 36 identified species and contribute 11% of total biomass. The microzooplanktonic biomass showed its maximum at the surface or subsurface and its contribution was low 4% . The study highlights the prevalence of pico sized fractions within the whole phytoplankton biomass expressed as chlorophyll content, suggesting the importance of picophytoplankton in sustaining the microbial food web in an oligotrophic area. Autotrophic production exceeded oxidation by respiration; at the same time, prokaryotic activities and eggs distribution co varied with temperature, even if the microbial activities were quite depressed, indicating that ecosystem functioning was active at low trophic levels and confirming the general oligotrophy of the Sicily Channel. The results obtained confirmed that the area acted as a nursery for small fish and both autotrophic and heterotrophic processes supported by microorganisms were in synergy. 207 Published version https //doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2018.04.008 02/04/2018 TROPHIC STRUCTURE AND MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN A SPAWNING AREA OF ENGRAULIS ENCRASICOLUS Zaccone 2018 ECSS 1 s2.0 S0272771417301452 main.pdf Articolo in rivista Academic Press, 1096 0015 Estuarine, coastal and shelf science Online Estuarine, coastal and shelf science Online Estuar. coast. shelf sci. Online Estuarine, coastal and shelf science Online luissalvador.monticelli MONTICELLI LUIS SALVADOR gabriella.caruso CARUSO GABRIELLA franco.decembrini DECEMBRINI FRANCO bernardo.patti PATTI BERNARDO filippo.azzaro AZZARO FILIPPO carmela.caroppo CAROPPO CARMELA maurizio.azzaro AZZARO MAURIZIO angela.cuttitta CUTTITTA ANGELA rosabruna.laferla LA FERLA ROSABRUNA marcella.leonardi LEONARDI MARCELLA francesco.placenti PLACENTI FRANCESCO renata.zaccone ZACCONE RENATA giovanna.maimone MAIMONE GIOVANNA TA.P04.001.002 Processi Microbici coinvolti nel ciclo del carbonio in zone costiere e pelagiche del Mediterraneo e di aree polari |
