The coast between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca (Salento Peninsula; Apulia) is rich in marine caves. The analysis of sessile benthos revealed a high variability among three caves investigated, whereas fish assemblages were more evenly distributed. Juvenile stages of several fish were recorded from inside the caves. Protection of marine caves, especially when they are particularly abundant, is highly advisable due to their potentially important ecological role (maintenance of biodiversity, nursery) not only as distinctive but also as representative habitats.
Submarine caves in southern Apulia as priority habitats for conservation purposes
BUSSOTTI, Simona;BELMONTE, Genuario;FRASCHETTI, Simonetta;TERLIZZI, Antonio;GUIDETTI, Paolo;DENITTO, Francesco;BOERO, Ferdinando
2005-01-01
Abstract
The coast between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca (Salento Peninsula; Apulia) is rich in marine caves. The analysis of sessile benthos revealed a high variability among three caves investigated, whereas fish assemblages were more evenly distributed. Juvenile stages of several fish were recorded from inside the caves. Protection of marine caves, especially when they are particularly abundant, is highly advisable due to their potentially important ecological role (maintenance of biodiversity, nursery) not only as distinctive but also as representative habitats.File in questo prodotto:
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