Habitat effect on distribution and feeding of Ophidiaster ophidianus (Lmk.) (Asteroidea)

The purple starfish Ophidiaster ophidianus is an Atlanto-Mediterranean starfish protected under the EU’s Habitats Directive. Despite the wide distribution and the current range expansion of this warm affinity species in the northern Mediterranean areas, nothing is known about its diet. Using field observations and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes, we explored possible changes in density and diet of O. ophidianus in relation to two different Mediterranean habitats: the coralline barren and the macro algae forest. Data were collected at the Marine Protected Area of Ustica Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) from June to September 2009. Starfish density was not affected by the ha…

First estimates of density and distribution of the alien crab Percnon gibbesi (Decapoda, Percnidae) in the "Capo Gallo-Isola delle Femmine" MPA

Studio preliminare sulla diversità della megafauna dei barren mediterranei