Work

Recruitment of the Basket Star Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) (Ophiuroidea, Gorgonocephalidae)

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The occurrence and abundance of Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) have significantly increased in the last three decades in several areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In the Tavolara–Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (NE Sardinia, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea), 60 specimens were observed mainly on the granitic shoals of the Tavolara Channel, an area characterized by very intense currents and high sedimentation. The basket stars were mainly found living as epibionts of gorgonians (Eunicella verrucosa, Paramuricea clavata and Leptogorgia sarmentosa) and massive sponges (Spongia officinalis, S. lamella, Sarcotragus foetidus). We also documented 21 small specimens (3–20 mm in diameter of the oral disc) observed in June 2024 between 27 and 52 m depth on E. verrucosa and P. clavata colonies. The bimodal size-frequency distribution of these specimens suggested that, probably, specimens belong to two different reproductive events occurring in spring 2023 and 2024.

Source: Diversity

DOI: 10.3390/d16090528

Authors: Martina Canessa, Egidio Trainito, Giorgio Bavestrello

Institutions: University of Genoa, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CoNISMa

Language: English

Topic: Echinoderm biology and ecology

Subfield: Aquatic Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955