Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2020-12-28
Page range: 198–208
Abstract views: 467
PDF downloaded: 479

Distribution of Sabellaria alveolata (Polychaeta Sabellariidae) in the Mediterranean Sea: update and new findings

Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Bucci, cubo 15b, 87036 Rende, Cosenza, Italy
Museo di Storia Naturale di Comiso, Via degli Studi 9, 97013 Comiso, Italy
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy
Museo di Storia Naturale di Comiso, Via degli Studi 9, 97013 Comiso, Italy
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Corso Italia 57, 95129 Catania, Italy
Annelida Polychaeta Sabellariidae

Abstract

An update of the geographical distribution of the sabellariid polychaete Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) within the Mediterranean Sea is provided after checking the known literature. This shallow-water, reef-forming species is first recorded from new sites in southeastern Sicily, both along the Sicily Straits and the Ionian Sea, from where S. alveolata was so far unknown.

These new collections also provided material for a detailed description and SEM documentation of morphological features of the operculum and the body.

References

  1. Ayari, R., Muir, A., Paterson, G. Afli, A. & Aïssa, P. (2009) An updated list of polychaetous annelids from Tunisian coasts (Western Mediterranean Sea). Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 50, 33–45.

    Bellan, B.G. (1964) Contribution à l’étude systématique, bionomique et écologique des Annélides Polychètes de la Méditerranée. Recueil des Travaux de la Station Marine d’Endoume, 49 (33), 1–371.

    Bertocci, I., Badalamenti, F., Lo Brutto, S., Mikac, B., Pipitone, C., Schimmenti, E., Vega Fernandez, T. & Musco, L. (2017) Reducing the data-deficiency of threatened European habitats: Spatial variation of sabellariid worm reefs and associated fauna in the Sicily Channel, Mediterranean Sea. Marine Environmental Research, 130, 325–337.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.08.008

    Bianchi, C.N. & Morri, C. (2000) Marine biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Situation, problems and prospects for future research. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 40 (5), 367–376.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-326X(00)00027-8

    Bonifazi, A., Lezzi, M., Ventura, D., Lisco, S., Cardone, F. & Gravina, M.F. (2019) Macrofaunal biodiversity associated with different developmental phases of a threatened Mediterranean Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) reef. Marine Environmental Research, 145, 97–111.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.02.009

    Campoy, A. (1982) Fauna de España. Fauna de Anélidos poliquetos de la Península Ibérica (II), 7. Publicaciones de Biología de la Universidad de Navarra, Serie Zoología, pp. 1–781.

    https://hdl.handle.net/10171/11777

    Capa, M., Hutchings, P.A. & Peart, R. (2012) Systematic revision of Sabellariidae Johnston, 1865 (Polychaeta) and relationships with other polychaetes. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, London, 164, 245–284.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00767.x

    Casoli, E., Bonifazi, A., Ardizzone, G., Gravina, M.F., Russo, G., Sandulli, R. & Donnarumma, L. (2019) Comparative Analysis of Mollusc Assemblages from Different Hard Bottom Habitats in the Central Tyrrhenian Sea. Diversity, 11 (5), 74.

    https://doi.org/10.3390/d11050074

    Castelli, A., Bianchi, C.N., Cantone, G., Çinar, M.E., Gambi, M.C., Giangrande, A., Iraci Sareri, D., Lanera, P., Licciano, M., Musco, L., Sanfilippo, R. & Simonini, R. (2008) Annelida Polychaeta. In: Relini G. Checklist of the flora and fauna in Italian Seas. Biologia Marina Mediteranea, 15 (suppl.1), 323–373.

    Chimenz Gusso, C., Taramelli Rivosecchi, E. & Gravina, M.F. (1995) I popolamenti bentonici delle coste laziali. In. Il mare del Lazio. Indagini e studi sul Mar Tirreno prospiciente le coste della Regione Lazio. Convenzione Regione Lazio, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, pp. 145–193.

    Cocito, S. (2004) Bioconstruction and biodiversity: their mutual influence. Scientia Marina, 68, 137–144.

    https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2004.68s1137

    Cole, V.J. & Chapman, M.G. (2007) Patterns of distribution of annelids: taxonomic and spatial inconsistencies between two biogeographic provinces and across multiple spatial scales. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 346, 235–241.

    https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07061

    Curd, A., Pernet, F., Corporeau, C., Delisle, L., Firth, L.B., Nunes, F.L.D. & Dubois, S. (2019) Connecting organic to mineral: How the physiological state of an ecosystem-engineer is linked to its habitat structure. Ecological Indicators, 98, 49–60.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.10.044

    Delbono, I., Bianchi, C.N. & Morri, C. (2003) Le biocostruzioni di Sabellaria alveolata come indicatori ambientali: area costiera fra Chiavari e Sestri Levante. In: Ferretti, O. (Ed.), Studi per la creazione di strumenti di gestione costiera. Golfo del Tigullio. edizione ENEA S. Teresa Centro Ricerche Ambiente Marino, La Spezia, pp. 130–140.

    Desroy, N., Dubois, S.F., Fournier, J., Ricquiers, I., Le Mao, P., Guerine, L., Gerla, D., Rougerie, M. & Legendre, A. (2011) The conservation status of Sabellaria alveolata (L.) (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) reefs in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 21, 462–471.

    https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.1206

    Dubois, S., Barillé, L., Cognie, B. & Beninger, P.G. (2005) Particle capture and processing mechanism in Sabellaria alveolata (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 301, 159–171.

    https://doi.org/10.3354/meps301159

    Dubois, S., Commito, J.A., Olivier, F. & Retière, C. (2006) Effects of epibionts on Sabellaria alveolata (L.) biogenic reefs and their associated fauna in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Estuarine Coastal Shelf Science, 68, 635–646.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.03.010

    Dubois, S., Comtet, T., Retière, C. & Thiebaut, E. (2007) Distribution and retention of Sabellaria alveolata larvae (Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, France. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 346, 243–254.

    https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07011

    Dubois, S., Retière, C. & Olivier, F. (2002) Biodiversity associated with Sabellaria alveolata (Polychaeta: Sabellaridae) reefs: effects of human disturbances. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the U.K., 82, 817–826.

    https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315402006185

    Fauchald, K. (1977) The Polychaete worms. Definitions and keys to the orders, families and genera. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Science Series, 28, 1–188.

    Fauvel, P. (1927) Polychètes sedéntaires. Faune de France, 16, 1–494.

    Gambi, M.C., Giangrande, A. & Fraschetti, S. (1996) Policheti dei fondi mobili del golfo di Policastro (Mar Tirreno meridionale): distribuzione e ruolo di alcune specie. Proceedings of Società Italiana di Ecologia, 17, 349–353.

    Giordani-Soika, S. (1956) Scogliera pseudocorallina intercotidale di Sabellaria alveolata (L.) nelle coste del Lazio (Ann. Polych.). Bollettino del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Venezia, 9, 11–14.

    Gravina, M., Cardone, F., Bonifazi, A., Bertrandino, M., Chimienti, G., Longo, C., Marzano, C., Moretti, M., Lisco, S., Moretti, V., Corriero, G. & Giangrande, A. (2018) Sabellaria spinulosa (Polychaeta, Annelida) reefs in the Mediterranean Sea: Habitat mapping, dynamics and associated fauna for conservation management. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 200, 248–257.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2017.11.017

    Gruet, Y. (1972) Aspects morphologiques et dynamiques de constructions de l’Annélide Polychète Sabellaria alveolata (Linné). Travaux de l’Institut Scientifique et Technique des Pêches Maritimes, 36 (2), 131–161.

    Gruet, Y. (1982) Recherches sur l’écologie des «récifs» d’hermelles édifies par l’annélidae polychète Sabellaria alveolata (Linné). PhD Thesè, Université de Nantes, 1–234.

    Gruet, Y. (1986) Spatio-temporal changes of sabellarian reefs built by the sedentary polychaete Sabellaria alveolata (Linne). Marine Ecology, 7, 303–319.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1986.tb00166.x

    Gruet, Y., Voyelle, J. & Grasset, M. (1987) Composante biominérale du ciment du tube chez Sabellaria alveolata (L.), Annélide Polychète. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 65, 837–842.

    https://doi.org/10.1139/z87-133

    Gubbay, S., Sanders, N., Haynes, T., Janssen, J.A.M., Rodwell, J.R., Nieto, A., García Criado, M., Beal, S., Borg, J., Kennedy, M., Micu, D., Otero, M., Saunders, G. & Calix, M. (2016) European Red List of Habitats. 1. Marine habitats. European Commission, Brussels.

    Holt, T.J., Rees, E.I., Hawkins, S.J. & Seed, R. (1998) Biogenic reefs volume IX. An overview of dynamic and sensitivity characteristics for conservation management of marine SACs. Scottish Association for Marine Science (UK Marine SACs Project)

    Iaciofano, D., Musco, L., Vega, F. & Lo Brutto, S. (2015) Crostacei anfipodi associati a reef di Sabellaria alveolata (L.) (Annelida) dello Stretto di Sicilia (Mar Mediterraneo). Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 22 (1), 95–96.

    Ibáñez Genis, M. (1973) Catálogo de los anélidos poliquetos citados en las costas españolas. Cuadernos de Ciencias biológicas, Granada, 2 (2), 121–140.

    Ingrosso, G., Abbiati, M., Badalamenti, F., Bavestrello, G., Belmonte, G., Cannas, R., Benedetti-Cecchi, L., Bertolino, M., Bevilacqua, S., Bianchik, C. N., Bok, M., Boscari, E., Cardone, F., Cattaneo-Vietti, R., Cau, A., Cerrano, C., Chemello, R., Chimienti, G., Congiu, L., Corriero, G., Costantini, F., De Leo, F., Donnarumma, L., Falace, A., Fraschetti, S., Giangrande, A., Gravina, M.F., Guarnieri, G., Mastrototaro, F., Milazzo, M., Morrik, C., Musco, L., Pezzolesi, L., Piraino, S., Prada, F., Ponti, M., Rindi, F., Russo, G.F., Sandulli, R., Villamor, A., Zane, L. & Boero, F. (2018) Mediterranean Bioconstructions Along the Italian Coast. In: Sheppard, C., Fuiman, L.A. & Young, C.M. (Eds.), Book Series Advances in Marine Biology, 79. Zoe Kruze, London UK, pp. 61–136.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2018.05.001

    Issel, R. (1918) Biologia Marina. Ed. Hoepli, Milano, p. 275.

    Kirtley, D.W. (1994) A review and taxonomic revision of the family Sabellariidae Johnston, 1865 (Annelida; Polychaeta). Sabecon Press Science Series, 1, 1–223.

    La Porta, B., La Valle, P. & Chimenz Gusso, C. (2006) Sabellaria alvelolata (L.) (Polychaeta Sabellariidae): la selezione dei granuli di sedimento per la costruzione dei tubi. Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 13 (1), 593–596.

    La Porta, B. & Nicoletti, L. (2009) Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus) reefs in the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy) and associated polychaete fauna. Zoosymposia, 2, 527–536.

    https://doi.org/10.11646/zoosymposia.2.1.36

    Lezzi, M., Cardone, F., Mikac, B. & Giangrande, A. (2015) Variation and ontogenetic changes of opercular paleae in a population of Sabellaria spinulosa (Polychaeta: Sabellaridae) from the South Adriatic Sea, with remarks on larval development. Scientia Marina, 79, 137–150.

    https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.04127.19A

    Lisco, S., Moretti, M., Moretti, V., Cardone, F., Corriero, G. & Longo, C. (2017) Sedimentological features of Sabellaria spinulosa biocontructions. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 87, 203–212.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.06.013

    Lisco, S.N., Acquafredda, P., Gallicchio, S. Sabato, L., Bonifazi, A., Cardone, F., Corriero, G., Gravina, M.F., Pierri, C. & Moretti, M. (2020) The sedimentary dynamics of Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions (Ostia, Tyrrhenian Sea, central Italy). Journal of Palaeogeography, 9, 2.

    https://doi.org/10.1186/s42501-019-0050-6

    Linke, O. (1951) Neue Beobachtungen uber Sandkorallen-Riffe in der Nordsee, Natur und Volk, 81, 77–84.

    Lo Bianco, S. (1888) Notizie biologiche riguardanti specialmente il periodo di maturità sessuale degli animali del Golfo di Napoli. Mittheilungen aus der Zoologischen Station zu Neapel, 8, 385–440.

    Lo Bianco, S. (1893) Gli anellidi tubicoli trovati nel Golfo di Napoli. Atti della Real Accademia delle scienze fisiche e matematiche, Ser. 2, 5 (11), 1–97.

    Molinier, R. & Picard, J. (1953) Notes biologiques à propos d’un voyage d’étude sur les côtes de Sicile. Masson. Annales de l’Institut Oceanographique, 28 (4), 163–188.

    Nicoletti, L., Lattanzi, L., La Porta, B., La Valle, P., Gambi, M.C., Tomassetti, P., Tucci, P. & Chimenz Gusso, C. (2001) Biocostruzioni a Sabellaria delle coste del Lazio (Tirreno centrale). Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 8 (1), 252–258.

    Nishi, E., Matsuo, K., Capa, M., Tomioka, S., Kajihara, H., Kupriyanova, E.K. & Polgar, G. (2015) Sabellaria jeramae, a new species (Annelida: Polychaeta: Sabellariidae) from the shallow waters of Malaysia, with a note on the ecological traits of reefs. Zootaxa, 4052 (5), 555–568.

    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4052.5.3

    Pearce, B., Farinas-Franco, J.M., Wilson, C., Pitts, J., deBurgh, A. & Somerfield, P.J. (2014) Repeated mapping of reefs constructed by Sabellaria spinulosa Leuckart 1849 at an offshore wind farm site. Continental Shelf Research, 83, 3–13.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2014.02.003

    Plicanti, A., Domínguez, R., Dubois, S.F. & Bertocci, I. (2016) Human impacts on biogenic habitats: Effects of experimental trampling on Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767) reefs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 478, 34–44.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2016.02.001

    Plicanti, A., Iaciofano, D., Bertocci, I. & Lo Brutto, S. (2017) The Amphipod assemblages of Sabellaria alveolata reefs from the NW coast of Portugal: an account of the present knowledge, new records, and some biogeographic considerations. Marine Biodiversity, 47, 521–534.

    https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-016-0474-5

    Porras, R., Bataller, J.V., Murgui, E. & Torregosa, M.T. (1996) Trophic structure and community composition of polychaetes inhabiting some Sabellaria alveolata (L.) reefs along the Valentia Gulf coast, western Mediterranean. Marine Ecology, 17 (4), 583–602.

    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1996.tb00419.x

    Rabaoui, L., Tlig-Zouari, S., Cosentino, A., & Hassine, O.K.B. (2009) Associated fauna of the fan shell Pinna nobilis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the northern and eastern Tunisian coasts. Scientia Marina, 73 (1), 129– 141.

    https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2009.73n1129

    Sanfilippo, R., Rosso, A., Mastandrea, A., Viola, A., Deias, C. & Guido, A. (2019) Sabellaria alveolata sandcastle worm from the Mediterranean Sea: new insights on tube architecture and biocement. Journal of Morphology, 80, 1839–1849.

    https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21069

    Schimmenti, E., Musco, L., Lo Brutto, S., Mikac, B., Nygren, A. & Badalamenti, F. (2016) Mediterranean record of Eulalia ornata (Annelida: Phyllodocida) corroborating its fidelity link with the Sabellaria alveolata reef habitat. Mediterranean Marine Science, 17, 359–370.

    https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.1485

    Somaschini, A. (1988) Policheti della biocenosi ad alghe fotofile (facies a Corallina elongata) nel Lazio settentrionale. Atti Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Mem., Serie B, 95, 83–94.

    Sparla, M.P., D’Anna, G. & Riggio, S. (1992) Notes on the development and invertebrate colonization of Sabellaria alveolata reefs in N/W Sicily. Rapports de la Commission internationale pour l’exploration de la Mer Méditerranée, 33, 53.

    Taramelli-Rivosecchi, E. (1961) Osservazioni sulle biocenosi del banco a Sabellaria di Lavinio. Rendiconti Accademia Nazionale delle scienze detta dei XL. Memorie di Matematica, 4, 147–154.

    UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPAB (2010) Overview of scientific findings and criteria relevant to identifying SPAMIs in the Mediterranean open seas, including the deep sea. By Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. and Agardy, T. Ed. RAC/SPA, Tunis, 71 pp.

    Vorberg, R. (2000) Effects of shrimp fisheries on reefs of Sabellaria spinulosa (Polychaeta). ICES Journal of Marine Science, 57, 1416–1420.

    https://doi.org/10.1006/jmsc.2000.0920

    Vovelle, J. (1965) Le tube de Sabellaria alveolata (L.) Annélide polychète hermellidae et son ciment: étude écologique, expérimentale, histologique et histochimique. Archives de zoologie expérimentale et générale, 106, 1–180.

    Wesenberg-Lund, E. (1939) Polychètes et Géphyriens de Tunisie. Bulletin de la Station Océanographique Salammbo, 39, 1–20.

    Wilson, D.P. (1971) Sabellaria colonies at duck-pool, north Cornwall, 1961-1970. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 51, 509–580.

    https://doi.org/10.1017/S002531540001496X