Biodiversity and Population Ecology of Marine Invertebrates

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 April 2025 | Viewed by 5100

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
Interests: marine ecology; marine biodiversity; marine invertebrates; marine biology, marine aquaculture; population dynamics

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Guest Editor
Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
Interests: demersal fisheries; artificial reefs; integrated coastal zone management; aquaculture; environmental impact assessment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine invertebrates are essential components of coastal and ocean ecosystems. Their biodiversity is astonishing, with thousands of species inhabiting oceans and seas worldwide. Understanding this diversity is crucial for assessing the health of marine ecosystems and identifying conservation priorities. Moreover, marine invertebrates offer unique insights into the impacts of environmental change and anthropogenic activities on our oceans. Their pivotal roles in ecological dynamics and the intricate relationships they form within these habitats underscore the significance of studying their biodiversity and population ecology. As we face growing threats to marine environments, the need for rigorous, interdisciplinary research on marine invertebrates is more pressing than ever. By investigating their biodiversity and population ecology, we aim to enrich our understanding of these vital creatures and contribute to the preservation of the oceans' delicate balance. This Special Issue is dedicated to shedding light on the multifaceted world of marine invertebrates and their critical ecological functions.

We would like to invite papers on the topic of "Biodiversity and Population Ecology of Marine Invertebrates". Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Contributions should delve into various aspects of marine invertebrates, encompassing taxonomic, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. Submissions should emphasize the complex interactions within and between invertebrate species, their adaptations to changing environments, and their implications for ecosystem health and sustainability. Authors are encouraged to explore innovative methodologies and share empirical research that can further our knowledge and guide future conservation efforts.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Alexios Lolas
Dr. Dimitris Klaoudatos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biodiversity hotspots
  • population dynamics
  • ecological interactions
  • habitat diversity
  • biogeography
  • environmental impact
  • ecosystem engineers
  • biodiversity indices

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 26802 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Biology of Pearl Oyster (Pinctada radiata, Leach 1814) Based on Microscopic and Macroscopic Assessment of Both Sexes in the Eastern Mediterranean (South Evia Island)
by Dimitris Pafras, Chrysoula Apostologamvrou, Athina Balatsou, Alexandros Theocharis, Alexios Lolas, Marianthi Hatziioannou, Dimitris Vafidis and Dimitris Klaoudatos
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(8), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081259 - 25 Jul 2024
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Abstract
The Atlantic pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814), is an Indo-Pacific bivalve of the subtidal zone that has colonized habitats all over the Mediterranean. There is a lack of detailed information on the reproductive activity of P. radiata in Hellenic waters, especially following [...] Read more.
The Atlantic pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814), is an Indo-Pacific bivalve of the subtidal zone that has colonized habitats all over the Mediterranean. There is a lack of detailed information on the reproductive activity of P. radiata in Hellenic waters, especially following the recent amendment of national legislation aiming to regulate the fishery and prevent illegal fishing and trafficking as a substitute for indigenous oysters. A total of 703 individuals were collected by scuba diving from the southwest part of Evia Island. Gonad microscopic examination indicated that gametogenesis occurs from February to September, with a recovery stage in early autumn. Synchronicity occurs for both sexes, with temperature being the main controlling factor. The annual recruitment pattern indicated two prominent peaks of similar magnitude. Analysis of covariance indicated a significant temperature effect on gonad index above 22 degrees. Onset of sexual maturity (L50) was estimated at 47.2 mm in shell height and 27.09 gr in total weight for the entire population. The sex ratio was in favor of females at 1:1.70, with 7% and 19% of the individuals assessed macroscopically and microscopically identified as hermaphrodites, respectively. Results offer valuable information for the management and conservation of pearl oyster populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Population Ecology of Marine Invertebrates)
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20 pages, 10315 KiB  
Article
Variation in the Occurrence of Salp and Doliolid Assemblages in the Northeastern East China Sea from 2019 to 2023
by Hyung-Uk Choi, Young Seok Jeong, Seohwi Choo and Ho Young Soh
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(6), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12060862 - 22 May 2024
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Abstract
This study characterizes the distribution of salp and doliolid species in the northeastern East China Sea during spring and autumn and identifies the factors that regulate their abundance. The data were collected over four years (2019–2023, except 2020). During the survey period, the [...] Read more.
This study characterizes the distribution of salp and doliolid species in the northeastern East China Sea during spring and autumn and identifies the factors that regulate their abundance. The data were collected over four years (2019–2023, except 2020). During the survey period, the Tsushima Warm Current Surface and Bottom (TWCS and TWCB, respectively) and Yellow Sea Cold Bottom Water were influential in spring, while the Changjiang Diluted Water, Coastal Water, TWCS, and TWCB were dominant in autumn. The mean sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface salinity (SSS) in spring and the mean SST in autumn statistically decreased (p < 0.05), while the mean SSS in autumn statistically increased (p < 0.05). The spatial distribution of salp and doliolid species remained consistent in spring and autumn, although the dominant assemblage shifted seasonally. Spring was predominantly characterized by an abundance of salp species, whereas doliolid species were dominant in autumn, with their distribution and abundance influenced by different environmental factors such as temperature and salinity in spring and food availability in autumn. Our results provide valuable data on the factors affecting the presence of salp and doliolid species in the northeastern East China Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Population Ecology of Marine Invertebrates)
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13 pages, 5480 KiB  
Article
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Chemosymbiotic Lucinid Bivalve Pillucina pisidium (Dunker, 1860) Occurring in Seagrass Zostera marina Bed in a Lagoon in Jeju Island, Korea
by Jong-Seop Shin, Chi-une Song, Hyeongwoo Choi, Sung Hyun Yang, Kae Kyoung Kwon, Seong-il Eyun and Kwang-Sik Choi
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(5), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12050847 - 20 May 2024
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Abstract
Commonly found in tropic and subtropic seagrass beds, lucinid clams host sulfur-oxidizing bacteria within their gills. These symbionts are crucial in converting phytotoxic sulfide in the sediment into less harmful sulfate, thus enhancing the environment for seagrasses and associated biota. We recently uncovered [...] Read more.
Commonly found in tropic and subtropic seagrass beds, lucinid clams host sulfur-oxidizing bacteria within their gills. These symbionts are crucial in converting phytotoxic sulfide in the sediment into less harmful sulfate, thus enhancing the environment for seagrasses and associated biota. We recently uncovered small clams within a Zostera marina seagrass bed situated in a lagoon on Jeju Island, off the south coast of Korea. These bivalves, with shell lengths of up to 7 mm, exhibited distinct features, including thick and hypertrophied gills, inflated and ovoid shells with a shell height/shell length ratio of 0.99, and the absence of a sulcus on the external shell surface. These characteristics align closely with those of Pillucina pisidium, a lucinid clam species originally reported in Japan. Analysis of the cytochrome b gene partial sequences of the clams from Jeju Island revealed a 100% match with P. pisidium reported in Japan, confirming their identity. Moreover, we successfully assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of P. pisidium for the first time, revealing a circular genome spanning 21,059 bp. Additionally, we constructed a phylogenetic tree using 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) extracted from the mitochondrial genome of P. pisidium. Notably, P. pisidium formed a distinct clade within the subclass Autobranchia alongside other lucinid clams in the phylogenetic tree. However, within the family Lucinidae, synteny analysis of the 13 PCGs revealed diverse gene arrangement patterns, indicating considerable divergence. This divergence underscores the need for an extensive examination of Lucinidae mitochondrial genomes to elucidate the phylogenetic ties more precisely within the family, highlighting P. pisidium’s distinct evolutionary path within the family Lucinidae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity and Population Ecology of Marine Invertebrates)
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