Plankton diversity in Anthropocene: Shipping vs. aquaculture along the eastern Adriatic coast assessed through DNA metabarcoding.

Coastal ecosystems globally are exposed to the most pervasive anthropogenic activities, caused by a suite of human infrastructure and enterprises such as shipping ports, aquaculture facilities, fishing, and tourism. These anthropogenic activities may lead to changes in ecosystem biodiversity, followed by loss of ecosystem functioning and services. Shipping industry and aquaculture have also been recognized as the main vectors for introduction of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) worldwide.

Comparison of amnesic, paralytic and lipophilic toxins profiles in cockle (Acanthocardia tuberculata) and smooth clam (Callista chione) from the central Adriatic Sea (Croatia).

Searching for Amnesic (ASP), Paralytic (PSP) and Lipophilic (LT) toxins in seafood is of great importance for consumer protection. Studies are usually focused on the most aquacultured species, the mussel. But, there are a number of potentially commercially important shellfish species as rough cockle Acanthocardia tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) and smooth clam Callista chione (Linnaeus, 1758) which are common in the Croatian Adriatic Sea.

An energy budget for the subtidal bivalve Modiolus barbatus (Mollusca) at different temperatures.

Clearance rates, respiration rates and food absorption efficiencies of the commercially interesting subtidal bivalve Modiolus barbatus were measured at different temperatures under laboratory conditions and scope for growth calculated. Clearance rates were highest at temperatures from 20 °C to 28 °C, whereas respiration rate was maximal at 9 °C and minimal at 26 °C. Highest mean values of absorbed energy occurred at 20 °C and 26 °C.