E-Learning from Nature 2016-17 Classe 1A Liceo Scientifico “N. Rodolico” Prof. G. Lambardi, M. Tusa Prof.ssa Elena Cosi

Aquarium of Talamone Tuscany, Italy Dott.ssa Chiara Caruso (Responsible of Tartanet) Dott.ssa Lucia Venturi (President of Regional Park of Maremma) Dott. Sergio Ventrella (Tuscany Observatory of Biodiversity)

VERTEBRATES in the Aquarium Osteichthyes The bony fishes have a skeleton primarily composed of bone tissue, as opposed to the cartilage skeleton of Chondrichthyes. Osteichthyes is an extremely diverse group, consisting of 28,000 species, and it is the largest class of vertebrates in existence today. The group Osteichthyes is divided into the ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) and lobe-finned fish (Sarcopterygii).

Parablennius incognitus  Bath, 1968 Blenniidae, Actinopterygii Blenny Bavosa Mediterranea Blennies are primarily marine fishes, but some species occur in estuaries or in fresh water, for example, in lakes in Italy. Blennies are generally benthic, occupying grass beds, tide pools, or areas near rocks. The different species have in common oblong shape and long dorsal fin. Their colour helps camouflage in the seabed. A major threat is habitat degradation due to coastal development and pollution. This species is classified as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List and it is found in the eastern Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, and Black Sea. Springer, V. 1994. Blennies. Pp. 214-217 in W Eschmeyer, J Paxton, eds. Encyclopedia of Fishes – second edition. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Coris julis (Linnaeus, 1758) Mediterranean Rainbowfish Donzella This species is widespread and common in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Atlantic Ocean (from Sweden to Senegal), but the populations show strong morphological and genetic differentiation. It is typically found near the shore in seagrass or subtidal rocks and rocky reefs. It is a neritic species, its range of depth is from 1 metres to 120 metres. It feeds on benthic invertebrates or clean other fish. C. julis is a protogynous hermaphrodite with pronounced sexual dimorphism. The females change to males before reaching 18 cm in length. All individuals above 18 cm in length are males. Sex change can take from several weeks up to 5.5 months. It reproduces from May to August. Larger terminal phase males hold territories and spawn sequentially with haremic females. Smaller terminal phase males or initial phase males live in groups without territories.

Coris julis (Linnaeus, 1758) Mediterranean Rainbowfish Donzella Populations of this species are apparently increasing in the Gulf of Lion (France, north-western Mediterranean Sea). This may be explained by the installation of artificial reefs, providing an increase in suitable reef habitat, the increase of water temperatures because of climate change and the construction of dams on the Rhone River, which have reduced cold water inflow. It is occasionally used for food, and also as an aquarium display species. In the Red List Category is classified as Least Concern. Pollard, D. & Afonso, P. 2010. Coris julis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T187752A8621739. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187752A8621739.en. Eschmeyer, W.N. (ed.). 2014. Catalog of Fishes. Updated 27 August 2014. Available at: http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp. Aurelle,D., Guillemaud, T., Afonso, P., Morato, T., Wirtz, P., Santos, R.S.S. and Cancela, M.L. 2003. Genetic study of Coris julis (Osteichthyes, Perciformes, Labridae) evolutionary history and dispersal abilities. Comptes Rendus Biologies 326(8): 771-785.

Triggerfish, Balistidae, Actinopterygii Pesce Balestra Triggerfish have an oval-shaped, highly compressed body and the anal and posterior dorsal fins are capable of undulating from side to side to provide slow movements. The large head terminates in a small but strong-jawed mouth with teeth adapted for crushing shells. All these characters are useful for feeding on bottom-dwelling invertebrates in rocky reefs. As a protection against predators, triggerfish can erect the first two dorsal spines. The anterior spine is locked and nunlocked by the short second spine, hence the family name “triggerfish”. They are known to exhibit a level of intelligence that is unusual among fishes, and have the ability to learn from previous experiences.

Triggerfish, Balistidae, Actinopterygii Pesce Balestra Triggerfish males migrate to their traditional spawning sites prior to mating, establish territories, defend it actively, and mate with all of the females residing in or visiting his territory. Male and female triggerfish perform certain pre-spawning behaviors. Triggerfish spawning is timed in relation to lunar cycles and tides. Some species of triggerfish are toxic, others are excellent food. Some species are classified as Least Concern in the Red List Category Matsuura, K (2014). "Taxonomy and systematics of tetraodontiform fishes: a review focusing primarily on progress in the period from 1980 to 2014". Ichthyological Research. 62 (1): 72–113. doi:10.1007/s10228-014-0444-5.

Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) European seabass Spigola o Branzino Its habitats include estuaries, lagoons, coastal waters, and rivers. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (from Norway to Senegal), in the Mediterranean Sea, and in the Black Sea. It is a seasonally migratory species, moving further inshore and north in summer. Initially they are pelagic, but as they develop, they move into estuaries. It is mostly a night hunter, feeding on small fish and invertebrates. They spawn from March to June, mostly in inshore waters. It can grow to a total length over 1 m and 15 kg of weight. This fish has come under increasing pressure from commercial fishing and has recently become the focus of a conservation effort. The total biomass, assumed as the best stock size indicator, has been declining since 2005. It is the most important commercial fish widely cultured in coastal lagoons of Mediterranean. In the Red List Category is classified as Least Concern. Pollard, D. & Afonso, P. 2010. Coris julis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T187752A8621739. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187752A8621739.en. Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. 2008. Dicentrarchus labrax. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org Archived June 27, 2014.

Diplodus sargus Linnaeus, 1758 White seabream Sarago maggiore It is found in the eastern Atlantic, in the Mediterranean Sea and rarely in the Black Sea. They feed crushing the shells of invertebrates with their strong jaws . Diplodus sargus is protandrous hermaphrodite, with individuals starting out life as males, and some becoming female later on. It is commercially fished and it is reared using aquacultural techniques. In the Red List Category is classified as Least Concern. "Diplodus sargus". Fisheries Global Information System. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 4 May 2011. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2010). "Diplodus sargus sargus" in FishBase. October 2010 version. "Diplodus sargus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 4 May 2011.

Diplodus sargus Linnaeus, 1758 White seabream Sarago maggiore