Chlorinated Persistent Organic Pollutants (PCDD/Fs and PCBs) in Loggerhead Sea Turtles Stranded along the Central Adriatic Coast.

Persistent organic pollutants are widespread in the marine environment. They can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in marine organisms through the food web with a potentially toxic effect on living organisms. The sea turtle Caretta caretta is a carnivorous animal with opportunistic feeding behavior. These turtles tend to bioaccumulate pollutants through food, and hence they can be considered an indicator of chemical pollutants in the marine ecosystem. In this study, 44 loggerhead sea turtles were considered, and liver and fat tissue were sampled from each of them to investigate the levels of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sea turtles and their potential correlation with sex and size in terms of curved carapace length (CCL). Results suggested that these contaminants were easily bioaccumulated, and PCBs were predominant compared to dioxins in both liver and fat tissue. The congener patterns were similar to those found in sea fish. Moreover, there were no differences in the contamination levels between females and males, nor was there a correlation with the size. There is a need to harmonize the methodological approaches to better evaluate the results and trends over time and to monitor the species and indirectly the health status of the marine environment.

Evaluating the impact of hydrometeorological conditions on E. coli concentration in farmed mussels and clams: experience in Central Italy.

Highly populated coastal environments receive large quantities of treated and untreated wastewater from human and industrial sources. Bivalve molluscs accumulate and retain contaminants, and their analysis provides evidence of past contamination. Rivers and precipitation are major routes of bacteriological pollution from surface or sub-surface runoff flowing into coastal areas. However, relationships between runoff, precipitation, and bacterial contamination are site-specific and dependent on the physiographical characteristics of each catchment. In this work, we evaluated the influence of precipitation and river discharge on molluscs' Escherichia coli concentrations at three sites in Central Italy, aiming at quantifying how hydrometeorological conditions affect bacteriological contamination of selected bivalve production areas. Rank-order correlation analysis indicated a stronger association between E. coli concentrations and the modelled Pescara River discharge maxima (r = 0.69) than between E. coli concentration and rainfall maxima (r = 0.35). Discharge peaks from the Pescara River caused an increase in E. coli concentration in bivalves in 87% of cases, provided that the runoff peak occurred 1-6 days prior to the sampling date. Precipitation in coastal area was linked to almost 60% of cases of E. coli high concentrations and may enhance bacterial transportation offshore, when associated with a larger-scale weather system, which causes overflow occurrence.

SeaGIS Abruzzo: A publicly available atlas of marine uses and natural resources in the Adriatic Sea Region.

In the Adriatic Sea, the European Union supported a cross-border cooperation research program, during which digital spatial data on shellfish production and relaying areas, regulated conditions on fishing activities, protected areas and restocking structures, administrative boundaries and sea bottom characteristics, were collated from digital repositories in various institutions and paper documents. A web-based geographical information system was developed to share data of the sea facing the Abruzzi region and to explore the spatial distribution of marine resources and maritime activities, thus focussing and facilitating fisheries management and providing a potential support to the regional planning of resource exploitation.

Aphanomyces astaci genotypes involved in recent crayfish plague outbreaks in central Italy.

The oomycete Aphanomyces astaci is the causative agent of crayfish plague in native European freshwater crayfish. Molecular analyses showed that several distinct genotype groups of this pathogen, apparently associated with different original host taxa, are present in Europe. Tracking their distribution may contribute to understanding the introduction pathways of A. astaci. We used microsatellite markers to genotype the pathogen strains involved in 7 mass mortalities of the endangered indigenous crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes that occurred between 2009 and 2016 in the Abruzzi and Molise regions, central Italy. Three A. astaci genotype groups (A, B, and D, with the latter represented by 2 distinct multilocus genotypes) were identified, suggesting the existence of multiple infection sources even in a relatively small area. Most crayfish plague episodes were due to genotype groups associated with the North American host species Pacifastacus leniusculus and Procambarus clarkii, although these crayfish are not widespread in the study area. A. astaci genotype group A was detected not only in crayfish plague outbreaks but also in apparently healthy Astacus leptodactylus imported for human consumption from Armenia and kept alive in an aquaculture facility. Imports of chronically infected A. leptodactylus from Armenia, Turkey, and possibly Eastern Europe are an underestimated introduction pathway for A. astaci. Although we cannot exclude the presence of latently infected native populations of A. pallipes in the region, A. astaci infections in legally imported crayfish species considered vulnerable to crayfish plague may represent further reservoirs of A. astaci; this should be reflected in the policies regulating the trade of live crayfish.

Blue­colour variants of the crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes in 2 rivers of the Abruzzo region, Italy.

Blue­colour variants have been reported in American and Australian freshwater crayfish species. We report here the observation of 2 Austropotamobius pallipes individuals with a blue­colour carapace in 2 rivers of the Aterno­Pescara river basin, located in the Abruzzo region, Central Italy.

Assessment of the effect of the climate variations of coastal surface water and study of Sepia officinalis spawing.

The aim of this study was to establish whether climate change affected migratory behaviour of Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), which is an important resource for small-scale fishermen of Abruzzo region (Italy). Starting at the beginning of March until the end of April, the cuttlefish in this area migrates from deep cold water towards warmer coastal waters, where they spawn. Small-scale fishing of cuttlefish is permitted in costal waters from March to September. During the study period, between March and September 2008, both cuttlefish traps and trammel nets were used in 5 sampling areas along the Abruzzo coast to test their relative efficiency in catching cuttlefish. Trapped specimens were counted, weighed and measured, their gender and sexual maturity were also determined. The data obtained from the sampling were correlated to surface water temperature to assess possible changes in migration behaviours. The obtained data show that during the first months of migration (March and April), a greater percentage of large males was caught, while females and smaller males predominated later in the year. The study also showed that surface water temperature did not reveal any significant shifts from the trend over the last 10 years. As for the efficiency of the fishing methods, traps were found to be more effective than trammel nets.

Self-limiting outbreak of crayfish plague in an Austropotamobius pallipes population of a river basin in the Abruzzi region (central Italy).

Crayfish plague, caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci, is a serious disease of European freshwater crayfish and has eliminated entire populations in several European countries. In September 2011, mortality was observed among the Austropotamobius pallipes population of a river basin in the Abruzzi region (central Italy), and A. astaci DNA was detected by PCR in dead crayfish. A systematic survey was carried out to evaluate the spread and the effects of the plague in the river basin. The source of the outbreak remained unknown since North American crayfish species, which frequently act as subclinical carriers of the infection, were not detected in the area. The A. pallipes population disappeared from a river stretch of ~1 km, where A. astaci infection was detected in dead crayfish. However, apparently unaffected crayfish were still present upstream of that area as well as in a tributary that joined the brook in the apparently depopulated stretch. A. astaci infection was not detected in dead individuals collected in the upstream area and tributary. A follow-up visit conducted in the following season showed the presence of A. pallipes in the river stretch hit by the plague. In this outbreak, the spread of the infection could have been limited by a low density of the crayfish population and by the geographic conformation of the river basin, which includes a dense network of small tributaries, characterized by high flow velocity and low water temperature. In this particular setting, crayfish plague outbreaks can remain undetected. This underlines the importance of active monitoring programs aimed at the prompt recognition of both episodes of mortality and the presence of non-indigenous crayfish species.

Quality of surface fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to be support fish life: 12 years of monitoring pursuant to European Union Directive 78/659/EEC.

To implement European Union Directive 78/659/EEC concerning the quality of fresh waters that require protection or improvement in order to support fish life, the Abruzzo Regional Council commissioned the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' (by Regional Law No. 50 of 10 August 1994, to conduct a census of the surface freshwaters in the region, and to classify them. The authors describe the freshwater classifications obtained through monitoring campaigns conducted over a period of twelve years (1996 to 2008). The results indicate slight improvements in the quality of the water over time in terms of contamination by chemicals for which they were monitored; however, 14 stretches do not comply with the requirements of the European Union Directive.

Monitoring of ichthyic fauna in artificial reefs along the Adriatic coast of the Abruzzi Region of Italy.

With the support of European Community funds, three submerged artificial reefs composed of concrete cubes, bell-shaped modules and natural rocks were deployed along the Adriatic coast of the Abruzzi Region to increase the fish population and to prevent illegal trawling. The Provincial governments of Teramo and Pescara requested the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' to monitor nectobenthic populations. Three sampling operations were conducted each year for each artificial reef. The authors present the results of a study conducted between 2005 and 2007, comparing the catches from the artificial reefs with those from the control sites using several diversity indexes. Artificial reef areas revealed greater species diversity and richness than the control sites. This study demonstrates the value of artificial reefs in response to the problem of low income, non-commercial fisheries as well as to the issue of over-exploitation of halieutic resources. In addition, the authors suggest that artificial reefs may be capable of activating habitat diversification processes that will increase biodiversity.

The clam (Chamelea gallina): evaluation of the effects of solids suspended in seawater on bivalve molluscs.

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of solids in suspension in seawater on clams (Chamelea gallina). The aim was to investigate the possible correlation between the widespread deaths of clams in the coastal waters of the central and northern Adriatic in the last five years and increased concentrations of solids in suspension. The research involved conducting 96-hour tests on clams farmed in aquariums containing filtered seawater. The tests were preceded by a 7-day adaptation stage to allow the molluscs to acclimatise. During this period, the clams were fed on unicellular seaweed (Dunaliella tertiolecta). The molluscs were exposed to particles of solids in suspension consisting of pools of silica gel (SiO2) granules of various sizes, similar to those constituting silt, whose presence and suspension in the sea considerably increase after heavy rain and heavy seas. The study established that the number of deaths caused by solids suspended in seawater at the concentrations used in the tests was not statistically significant.

The use of geographic information systems in sea and freshwater ecosystems.

In the Abruzzo region of Italy, the fishing and sale of the bivalve molluscs are a considerable economic resource requiring over 100 boats. Local production is increased also by farmed mussels. Freshwater fishing is practised extensively in Abruzzo rivers, frequently affected by the presence of dams, and great quantities of fish are periodically reintroduced. It is therefore necessary to monitor activities to determine the quality of Abruzzo freshwater. The Abruzzo region has assigned the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' (IZS A&M) the task of monitoring, classifying quality of freshwater and sea water within its territory and controlling bivalve molluscs, in accordance with Italian law. Since 1996, the IZS A&M has conducted the several programmes to monitor programmes, define mollusc quality and to classify the quality water in accordance with European and national law. A geographic information system has been developed to provide decision-making support for the improvement of the quality of human welfare and the environment.

Cryptosporidiumparvum oocysts in seawater clams (Chameleagallina) in Italy.

Bivalves filter large volumes of water and can concentrate organisms which are pathogenic for humans and animals. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in clams from the Adriatic coast (Abruzzo region) and genetically characterize the oocysts isolated from the clams. From March to July 2003, 960 specimens of clams (Chamelea gallina) present in nature were collected at 500 m from the Tordino, Tronto, Vibrata and Vomano river mouths on the Adriatic sea. The haemolymph and tissues were extracted from the specimens (240 per river mouth) after the specimens had been identified, measured and weighed (live weight). Immunofluorescence tests (IFA) were performed on pools (n = 32) of samples and oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 23 pools of C. gallina. To identify the Cryptosporidium species, all the pools IFA-positive were tested by a PCR assay specific for the Cryptosporidium outer wall protein (COWP) gene. Positive amplicons then were sequenced and analysed. Two pools of clams were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum Genotype 2 (the "bovine" i.e. zoonotic genotype). This is the first time that C. parvum was found in clams from the Adriatic sea in Italy and the case might be of public health importance.

Genotyping of Cryptosporidium isolates from Chamelea gallina clams in Italy.

Chamelea gallina clams collected from the mouths of rivers along the Adriatic Sea (central Italy) were found to harbor Cryptosporidium parvum (genotype 2), which is the lineage involved in zoonotic transmission. The clams were collected from the mouths of rivers near whose banks ruminants are brought to graze. This paper reports the environmental spread of C. parvum in Italy and highlights the fact that genotyping of seaborne Cryptosporidium isolates is a powerful tool with which to investigate the transmission patterns and epidemiology of this microorganism.