Age and environment are the main drivers shaping the wild common sole (Solea solea) microbiota.

Microbiota plays an essential role in fish growth and health and may be influenced by the changing environmental conditions. Here, we explored the microbiota of wild common sole, one of the most important fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, collected from different areas in the North Adriatic Sea. Our results show that the sole microbiota differs from that of the surrounding environment and among the different body sites (gill, skin and gut).

Occurrence of the Leech, Pontobdella muricata Linnaeus, on Elasmobranch Species in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea.

This study provides a parasitological analysis of the elasmobranch species caught in the northern and central Adriatic Sea. Sixty-two marine leeches were recorded on 747 individuals of Raja clavata Linnaeus, 1758 (thornback ray), Myliobatis aquila Linnaeus, 1758 (common eagle ray), and Torpedo marmorata Risso, 1810 (marbled torpedo ray) caught in 56 hauls over a 5 yr period. All leeches were identified as Pontobdella muricata, which is a typical ectoparasite of benthic elasmobranchs.