1. Unveiling microalgal diversity in Slovenian transitional waters (Adriatic Sea) : a first step toward ecological status assessmentPetra Slavinec, Janja Francé, Ana Fortič, Patricija Mozetič, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of microalgal diversity in two Slovenian transitional waters (TWs): the shallow brackish lagoon of the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve (SZNR) and the Rižana River estuary within the Port of Koper (PK) area. Between 2018 and 2021, water samples collected with a phytoplankton net were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. In total, 240 species from 117 genera were identified in TW, dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates, surpassing the diversity at a marine coastal station (91 species, 59 genera). Species richness was higher in PK (226) than in SZNR (154), mainly due to dinoflagellates and coccolithophores. Marine taxa predominated along the salinity gradient, with moderate contributions from brackish taxa and fewfreshwater forms, reflecting both natural and anthropogenic influences. Planktonic taxa dominated at all sites, while benthic forms were abundant in the lagoon, particularly in spring. Thirty-two taxa were recorded for the first time in Slovenian TW, mostly benthic or tychopelagic diatoms. The detection of Coolia monotis and five cyanobacterial genera with potentially harmful traits highlights the role of TW as an ecological interface. The taxonomic sufficiency analysis showed that the order level is sufficient to distinguish transitional from marine assemblages, beyond which ecological information is lost. Overall, this study highlights the importance of detailed taxonomic resolution for detecting microalgal diversity, including harmful and non-indigenous species to ensure robust ecological assessments under the WFD and MSFD directives.
Ključne besede: transitional waters, diversity, phytoplankton, harmful algal blooms, non-indigenous species, Adriatic Sea
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Ogledov: 196; Prenosov: 167
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2. The overlooked suspension feeders : the filtering activity of the Bryozoans Schizoporella errata and Bugula neritina in the Northern AdriaticAna Fortič, Borut Mavrič, Petra Slavinec, Lovrenc Lipej, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Marine fouling communities, characterized by a high abundance of suspension feeders, play a crucial role in regulating ecosystem services, particularly in improving seawater quality. While not typically prioritized in conservation due to their prevalence in degraded or artificial habitats, fouling communities are important for their ecological functions under increasing urbanization and climate change. Bryozoans are an important component of these communities, although their filtering activity is less understood compared to some other groups, such as bivalves and ascidians. In this paper, we aimed to investigate the filtration activity of two widespread fouling bryozoan species, namely Schizoporella errata and Bugula neritina in the northern Adriatic (Slovenia). We measured the clearance rates (CR) of both the species when fed with microalgae to assess their filtration capacity and determine the most suitable units for quantifying the biofiltration. B. neritina exhibited a higher average CR than S. errata. The maximum CR was 32 mL/(h·cm2 ) for the S. errata and 52 mL/(h·cm2 ) for the B. neritina. Due to the morphological and growth differences between the species, the surface area was determined to be the most appropriate unit for expressing the CR. We also examined the CR of the S. errata exposed to fluorescent microplastic beads and identified active feeding areas within the colonies. Feeding zooids in S. errata were concentrated at the terminal growth margins and elevated areas of the frontal budding, as indicated by a higher fluorescence and microsphere density. These results contribute to the existing knowledge on fouling bryozoans in coastal habitats and provide further insights into their potential role as biofilters and contributors to ecosystem functioning.
Ključne besede: bryozoans, suspension feeders, fouling community, ecosystem services, microplastics, Schizoporella errata, Bugula neritina
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.06.2025; Ogledov: 862; Prenosov: 581
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3. New records of introduced species in the Mediterranean Sea (February 2025)Periklis Kleitou, Daryl Agius, Sencer Akalin, Marco Albano, Izdihar Ammar, Coşkun Menderes Aydin, Ernesto Azzurro, Ana Fortič, Valentina Pitacco, Petra Slavinec, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This Collective Article compiles information on nineteen (19) species recorded in seven (7) Mediterranean countries (Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Syria, and Türkiye) and across four major sub-basins (Adriatic, Western, Central, and Eastern Mediterranean). The documented taxa represent eight (8) phyla: Annelida (four species), Arthropoda (three), Bryozoa (one), Chordata (two), Cnidaria (two), Mollusca (five), Chlorophyta (one), and Ochrophyta (one). Observations originated from both dedicated scientific surveys (including trawl sampling, van Veen grabs, and harbor-wall scraping) and citizen science initiatives by divers, shell collectors, and recreational fishers. Significant first records include Notomastus aberans (Slovenia), Paraprionospio coora (Italy), Polydora cornuta (Tyrrhenian Sea), Coleusia signata (Cyprus), Penaeus aztecus (Malta), Pleopis schmackeri (Syria), Pteragogus trispilus (Italy), Triacanthus biaculeatus (Türkiye), Oculina patagonica (Syria), and Watersipora subatra (Slovenia). In the Mollusca group, Conomurex persicus extends its known range westward to the Messina Strait (southern Italy), and Sepioteuthis lessoniana is recorded for the first time in Italian waters. Additional first reports for Türkiye include Alveinus miliaceus and Retusa desgenettii in the Turkish Levantine Sea. The species Uroteuthis (Photololigo) arabica represents a first record for the entire Mediterranean basin. Finally, Colpomenia peregrina (Chlorophyta) and Caulerpa taxifolia (Ochrophyta) highlight ephemeral “boom-and-bust” occurrences in Croatia, raising questions about transient invasive dynamics. These collective findings underscore the importance of coordinated monitoring efforts, inclusive of both scientific and citizen-based approaches, to better understand and manage marine biodiversity shifts in the Mediterranean.
Ključne besede: invasive species, Mediterranean Sea, climate change
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 08.04.2025; Ogledov: 1146; Prenosov: 455
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4. First restoration experiment for Gongolaria barbata in Slovenian coastal waters : What can go wrong?Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Valentina Pitacco, Petra Slavinec, Milijan Šiško, Tihomir Makovec, Annalisa Falace, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The global decline of brown algal forests along rocky coasts is causing an exceptional biodiversity loss. Regardless of conservation efforts, different techniques have been developed for large-scale restoration strategies in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study we tested ex situ pilot restoration of Gongolaria barbata (=Treptacantha barbata) for the first time in Slovenian coastal waters. Healthy apical fronds of the species were collected and the development of recruits on clay tiles was followed under laboratory conditions for 20 days. Despite the experimental difficulties experienced, especially due to the lack of antibiotics to prevent the growth of the biofilm, G. barbata recruits were outplanted in the sea on two concrete plates with 48 tiles each, protected by purpose-built cages to avoid grazing by herbivorous fish. The high survival rate of juveniles after four months in the field (89% of the tiles on the plate that was constantly protected) suggests that outplanting G. barbata is an operable approach for restoration efforts in the northern Adriatic Sea. Our first experiment in Slovenian coastal waters provides new information for the optimization of the best practices during the laboratory cultivation and addresses the early steps of restoration and introduction of young thalli in the natural environment.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Ogledov: 1085; Prenosov: 673
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5. Where and how : new insight for brown algal forest restoration in the AdriaticMartina Orlando-Bonaca, Gilda Savonitto, Valentina Asnaghi, Domen Trkov, Valentina Pitacco, Milijan Šiško, Tihomir Makovec, Petra Slavinec, Ana Lokovšek, Saul Ciriaco, Mariachiara Chiantore, Sara Kaleb, Emmanuelle Patricia Descourvières, Marina Srijemsi, Annalisa Falace, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Several anthropogenic factors are responsible for the decline of Cystoseira sensu lato (hereafter Cystoseira) forests along Mediterranean coasts. Some Cystoseira species are already regionally extinct, and their decline has been widely recorded. Sustainable and efficient techniques for the restoration of Cystoseira are needed. In this context, the objectives of this study were i) to analyse the reproductive traits of three populations of Gongolaria barbata from three nearby donor sites in the northern Adriatic Sea, assessing the differences in their reproductive potential and reproductive success; and ii) to evaluate the outplanting success in terms of the effectiveness of G. barbata restoration, in relation to the different donor and receiving sites (Miramare MPA and in front of the Marine Biology Station Piran - MBSP) and implemented methods (ex situ and hybrid method combining a mesocosm cultivation and a suspended culture in the field). After 2 weeks of cultivation in mesocosms, half of the tiles with germlings were transported to the receiving sites and placed on suspended lantern nets (hybrid method), which were later (after 3 months) transferred to the seabed on concrete plates with protective cages. The remaining tiles were placed on the seabed on concrete plates with protective cages after a 4-week culture (ex situ method). At both sites, lantern nets and plates were randomly placed at 3 m depth. Thallus length was measured monthly in each treatment. Seedlings in suspended culture showed lower performance at the Miramare MPA, most likely due to the unfavourable environmental conditions. The satisfactory results obtained at MBSP demonstrate the efficiency of the hybrid method and confirm its potential to reduce the cost and time required for cultivation. Since unpredictable climatic events pose the greatest threat to restoration performance, these challenges must be considered when establishing new restoration practices. Moreover, herbivore regulation is extremely urgent and should be planned and implemented on a larger regional scale.
Ključne besede: canopy-forming algae, restoration, ex situ, cultivation, Mediterranean Sea
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 17.07.2024; Ogledov: 1255; Prenosov: 410
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6. Fitoplankton, model kompleksnostiIvano Vascotto, Patricija Mozetič, Janja Francé, 2024, strokovni članek Ključne besede: fitoplankton, biološka raznovrstnost, združbe, periodičnost, okoljski dejavniki, Tržaški zaliv, morska biologija
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.07.2024; Ogledov: 1545; Prenosov: 670
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