1. First Evidence of the Presence of Okenia picoensis Paz-Sedano, Ortigosa & Pola, 2017 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) in the Adriatic SeaMarco Fantin, Saul Ciriaco, Lisa Faresi, Chiara Scrigner, Juri Vecchi, Domen Trkov, Lovrenc Lipej, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The authors report the finding of some specimens (8 sightings) of Okenia picoensis (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) at three different sites in Croatia (northern Adriatic Sea). Although this seaslug species has only recently been described, this record confirms its rapid spread throughout the Mediterranean Sea. This finding represents the first substantiated record in the Adriatic Sea.
Keywords: Heterobranchia, spreading, northern Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 10.07.2026; Views: 76; Downloads: 52
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2. Recent Record of the Atlantic Pomfret Brama brama (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Scombriformes: Bramidae) in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)Nicola Bettoso, Diego Borme, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: On 20 June 2023 a specimen of Atlantic pomfret Brama brama (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Bramidae) was caught by trammel net at 5 m depth in the Gulf of Trieste. B. brama is a pelagic neritic oceanodromous species distributed throughout temperate and warm-temperate oceans at depth ranging from 0 to 1,000 m and occasionally coming close to the shore. It is considered a rare species in the eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea. The present record is the most recent in the Gulf of Trieste, after those historical deposited in the Natural History Museum of Trieste.
Keywords: Atlantic pomfret, Brama brama, Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 10.07.2026; Views: 89; Downloads: 53
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3. The First Marine Record of Northern Pike Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758 in the Mediterranean SeaAlen Soldo, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Near the coast of Stobreč, Central Adriatic Sea, a recreational fisher caught a strange fish specimen at a depth of 5 m, using a fishing trident. Upon the arrival of the fisher in the harbor the specimen was taken away for analysis. This revealed that the specimen’s morphological characteristics matched those of the northern pike Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758. As the northern pike is a stenohaline freshwater fish, it had never been recorded before in the high salinity marine conditions of the Adriatic Sea or anywhere else in the Mediterranean. The collected specimen most likely originated from the nearby short river Žrnovnica. This paper discusses the possibility that the northern pike introduced to some rivers emptying into the Adriatic Sea may possess the local ability to withstand short trips to high salinity waters.
Keywords: Esox lucius, northern pike, salinity tolerance, hypo-osmoregulatory process, Adriatic Sea, area expansion
Published in DiRROS: 09.07.2026; Views: 121; Downloads: 75
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4. New Findings of the Cup-Shaped Demosponge Calyx nicaeensis (Risso, 1826) on the Rocky Outcrops in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)Nicola Bettoso, Lisa Faresi, Saul Ciriaco, Marco Fantin, Marco Segarich, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The cup-shaped demosponge Calyx nicaeensis (Risso, 1826) is an endemic Mediterranean species. It is considered to be a rare species, which needs to be included into international conservation protocols. Between 2023 and 2025, 17 specimens were recorded on the rocky outcrops in the Gulf of Trieste for the first time, within a Site of Community Importance (SCI) of the European Natura 2000 network.
Keywords: Cup-shaped sponge, northern Adriatic Sea, rocky outcrops, SCI, Natura 2000
Published in DiRROS: 26.06.2026; Views: 146; Downloads: 113
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5. Microalgal communities in mucilage aggregates (Northern Adriatic Sea, summer 2024) based on microscopy and metabarcodingMarika Ubaldi, Francesca Neri, Giorgia Montali, Tiziana Romagnoli, Aurora Tomasini, Federica Cerino, Timotej Turk Dermastia, Patricija Mozetič, Janja Francé, Camilla Spoto, Stefano Accoroni, Cecilia Totti, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The mucilage phenomenon consists of the appearance of large gelatinous aggregates floating in the water column. In summer 2024, this event has reappeared in the Northern Adriatic Sea (NAS) on a large scale. This study provides an integrated characterization of the microalgal community within mucilage aggregates and surrounding waters in two NAS areas (Gulf of Trieste and Conero Riviera) using light microscopy (LM), metabarcoding (MB) based on ribosomal 18S V4 and V9 markers, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for selected taxa identification. Mucilage aggregates acted as dynamic microbial hotspots, hosting a rich diatom community, with abundances 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than in the surrounding water. Dominant diatom species were Cylindrotheca closterium, Nitzschia spp., Nitzschia gobbii, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. Some phytoflagellates (e.g., Tetraselmis spp.) and dinoflagellates (e.g., Karlodinium veneficum, Pseliodinium fusus, and Wangodinium sinense) were detected exclusively by MB, while LM and SEM revealed species missed by other approaches. Gonyaulax fragilis, one of the species indicated as an important mucus producer, was present at the onset and throughout the phenomenon, as detected by LM and MB. The integrated approach improves knowledge of microalgal communities in NAS mucilage.
Keywords: mucilage, Northern Adriatic Sea, phytoplankton, microalgae, metabarcoding, microscopy, Gonyaulax fragilis, Harmful Algal Blooms
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 546; Downloads: 449
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6. Growth rates of the critically endangered fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the Slovenian sea (northern Adriatic)Valentina Pitacco, Ana Fortič, Domen Trkov, Borut Mavrič, Ciril Mlinar, Lovrenc Lipej, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is a bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea that is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its decline is due to a disease that has led to mass mortalities throughout the Mediterranean. The Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic) used to harbour one of the densest populations of P. nobilis, but since 2019, it has also been affected by this disease. The aim of this work was to analyse the growth of P. nobilis in the Slovenian part of the Gulf, with 3 case studies: (1) in situ measurement of adults before the mass mortality event (MME), (2) in situ measurement of juveniles after the MME and (3) ex situ measurement of juveniles kept in the laboratory. The pre-MME growth rate was comparable to that in other areas of the Gulf. In the first years of life, the growth rate of P. nobilis is higher than the growth rate reported in the southern Adriatic, and comparable to the growth rate in the Spanish lagoons. This is probably related to the physico-chemical conditions and confirms the potential of the area for restoration actions. Captive growth of juveniles could be an effective conservation measure, although juveniles kept in the laboratory grow more slowly than those in the sea, probably because of their lower immune response. Temperature plays an ambivalent role, as it increases the growth rate but also triggers the parasites responsible for the MME, which is of concern, given the recent rise of seawater temperatures and heatwaves.
Keywords: fan mussel, model growth, temperature, conservation, northern Adriatic sea
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 502; Downloads: 352
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7. Physiological and genomic characterization of two novel marine thaumarchaeal strains indicates niche differentiationBarbara Bayer, Jana Vojvoda, Pierre Offre, Ricardo JE Alves, Nathalie H Elisabeth, Juan A.L. Garcia, Jean-Marie Volland, Abhishek Srivastava, Christa Schleper, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: Ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA) are ubiquitous throughout the oceanic water column; however, our knowledge on their physiological and ecological diversity in different oceanic regions is rather limited. Here, we report the cultivation and characterization of two novel Nitrosopumilus strains, originating from coastal surface waters of the Northern Adriatic Sea. The combined physiological and genomic information revealed that each strain exhibits different metabolic and functional traits, potentially reflecting contrasting life modes. Strain NF5 contains many chemotaxis-related genes and is able to express archaella, suggesting that it can sense and actively seek favorable microenvironments such as nutrient-rich particles. In contrast, strain D3C is non-motile and shows higher versatility in substrate utilization, being able to use urea as an alternative substrate in addition to ammonia. Furthermore, it encodes a divergent, second copy of the AmoB subunit of the key enzyme ammonia monooxygenase, which might have an additional catalytic function and suggests further metabolic versatility. However, the role of this gene requires further investigation. Our results provide evidence for functional diversity and metabolic versatility among phylogenetically closely related thaumarchaeal strains, and point toward adaptations to free-living versus particle-associated life styles and possible niche differentiation among AOA in marine ecosystems.
Keywords: seawater, ammonia oxidation, bacteria, picoplankton, Northern Adriatic Sea, genomic information
Published in DiRROS: 19.03.2025; Views: 1117; Downloads: 1184
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8. Diet of three cryptobenthic clingfish species and the factors influencing itDomen Trkov, Danijel Ivajnšič, Marcelo Kovačić, Lovrenc Lipej, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Cryptobenthic fish are small benthic fish species that normally live in various hiding places. Due to their large numbers, they are very important for energy transfer to higher trophic levels. However, due to their small size and hidden lifestyle, knowledge about them and their ecology, including their diet, is still limited. Using a non-destructive method based on faecal pellets, we investigated the diet of three clingfish species, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, L. candolii, and Apletodon incognitus, in the shallow northern Adriatic Sea. To better understand the results, we studied the fauna of potential prey in the habitats of the fish studied and also took fish specimens to observe their behaviour in the laboratory. The three species feed predominantly on crustaceans, particularly amphipods, copepods, and decapods. The proportion of the different taxa in the diet depends on the species of clingfish, the size of the specimens, and the size of the prey. In addition, the behaviour of the fish, the home range of the specimens, and the availability of food played an important role. The presence of certain crustacean groups in the environment also determines the occurrence of clingfish of different species and sizes.
Keywords: cryptobenthic fish, clingfish species, diet, diet habits, non-destructive method, faecal pellets, crustaceans, northern Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 03.10.2024; Views: 1460; Downloads: 803
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9. Food and feeding habits of the blackspotted smooth-hound, Mustelus punctulatus (Elasmobranchii: carcharhiniformes: Triakidae), from the Northern AdriaticLovrenc Lipej, Borut Mavrič, Snežna Rešek, Mourad Cherif, Christian Capapé, 2011, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The blackspotted smooth-hound, Mustelus punctulatus Risso, 1826, has been regularly caught in the northern Adriatic Sea, although a decreasing trend in its catches was observed off the coast of Slovenia within the last decade The knowledge of feeding behaviour of elasmobranch fish species, through understanding of the local food web structure, contributes to better and more efficient fish stock assessment and ecosystem modelling. This study is a first step in determining the prey consumption by the blackspotted smooth-hound in the area. Materials and methods. A total of 151 blackspotted smooth-hounds caught by commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Trieste from 4 June 2002 to 4 June 2003 were examined in this study. The stomach contents were removed, sorted and identified to the lowest possible taxon using identification keys. Preys were counted and weighed. Frequency of occurrence (F%), relative abundance (N%), the percentage by weight (W%), the Index of Relative Importance (IRI), and its standardized value (%IRI) were calculated following standard procedures. For comparing the diet between four different size classes we calculate average prey weight, dietary diversity, average meal, and trophic level for each size class. Results. A total 130 fish stomachs contained prey items. Crustaceans were the most important prey items (IRI% = 56.14), whereas cephalopods were the second mostly preyed animals (IRI% = 20.2). Teleost fish and bivalves were also found in the stomachs. The most important prey species was Solecurtus strigillatus. Larger sharks consumed larger preys. Male and female sharks consumed similar food. Juvenile individuals consumed predominantly crustaceans, while cephalopods were more important in the diet of adult individuals. The calculated trophic index (TROPH) of M. punctulatus from northern Adriatic Sea was 3.7, showing that it is a highly carnivorous species. Conclusion. This study is a first step in determining prey consumption by Mustelus punctulatus which is, despite the fact that is still common in the area, a rather poorly known species. For elucidating the role of benthic sharks in the study area the further step would be to study the diet of a closely related common smooth-hound M. mustelus.
Keywords: fishes, ichthyology, Adriatic sea, Triakidae, Mustelus punctulatus, trophic level, northern Adriatic, elasmobranchii, diversity, Mustelus, Mediterranean, feeding, Adriatic Sea
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 1700; Downloads: 1156
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10. Seasonal variation in marine-snow-associated and ambient-water prokaryotic communities in the northern Adriatic SeaJana Vojvoda, Dominique Lamy, Eva Sintes, Juan A.L. Garcia, Valentina Turk, Gerhard J. Herndl, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: The structure and activity of prokaryotic communities were determined in marine snow and in the ambient water of the northern Adriatic Sea in different seasons (autumn, spring and summer). The seasonal variation in the composition of marine-snow-associated and ambient-water bacterial communities was assessed by T-RFLP (Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) on the 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) and 16S rRNA transcript (16S rRNA) level. On the 16S rDNA level, the bacterial community composition of the marine snow and ambient water was similar in summer and autumn, but not in spring. In contrast, on the 16S rRNA level, indicative of the active bacterial community, the marine-snow-associated bacterial community was different from that of the ambient-water, and different from the bacterial community on the 16S rDNA level, except in autumn. To phylogenetically characterize the bacterial and archaeal community composition associated with marine snow and the ambient water, clone libraries of 16S rDNA and 16S rRNA were constructed from 2 contrasting seasons. Phylogenetic profiling revealed a higher similarity among bacterial communities in summer compared to late autumn. Certain bacterial and archaeal groups were exclusively associated with summer or autumn marine snow, suggesting that marine-snow-associated prokaryotic communities are subjected to successional changes similar to ambient-water communities. Moreover, the presence of bacterial groups enriched in marine snow including Vibrionales and sulphate-reducing bacteria is consistent with niche partitioning and metabolic adaptations of the particle-associated microbiota.
Keywords: marine snow, free-living-bacteria, Northern Adriatic sea
Published in DiRROS: 02.08.2024; Views: 1683; Downloads: 1089
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