Publications by authors named "Rossana Sanfilippo"
Article Synopsis
- The polychaete worm Sabellaria spinulosa lives in tube structures that create reef-like environments in shallow, wave-beaten waters, using sand grains glued together by a protein-based cement.
- An analysis of S. spinulosa tubes from the Adriatic Sea revealed a unique architecture consisting of three distinct layers, differing in density and size of sand grains.
- Compared to a related species, S. alveolata, S. spinulosa has thinner, smaller tubes with irregular biocement distribution and more empty spaces between adjacent tubes.
The 1-m-tall dwarf elephant Palaeoloxodon falconeri from the Pleistocene of Sicily (Italy) is an extreme example of insular dwarfism and epitomizes the Island Rule. Based on scaling of life-history (LH) traits with body mass, P. falconeri is widely considered to be 'r-selected' by truncation of the growth period, associated with an early onset of reproduction and an abbreviated lifespan.
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- * The research utilizes advanced microscopy techniques to characterize the organisms and structures involved in the formation of these crusts, revealing details such as sponge spicules and different types of micrite.
- * Findings contribute to understanding the interaction between sponges and bacteria in unique underwater environments, enhancing the interpretation of past fossil records.
Article Synopsis
- Sabellaria alveolata is a polychaete worm that creates reef-like structures in shallow, high-energy waters using agglutinated tubes made of sand particles and protein secretions.
- Research on a tube fragment from SE Sicily revealed a complex tube architecture consisting of multiple layers, including a thin organic membrane and varying grain arrangements.
- The biocement that holds the tubes together has a foam-like structure rich in carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen, but its organic composition and the dynamic habitat contribute to the reef's ephemeral nature, making fossil preservation rare.