EMPTY SHELLS OF PINNA NOBILIS (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA) AS HABITAT FOR A DIVERSE CRUSTACEAN COMMUNITY

CONCHIGLIE VUOTE DI PINNA NOBILIS (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA) COME HABITAT PER UNA COMUNITÀ DIVERSIFICATA DI CROSTACEI

Authors

  • Simona Iannucci National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1022-8297
  • Alessandra Davanzo National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysiscs-OGS
  • Marco Segarich SHORELINE SOC COOP AREA SCIENCE PARK, Trieste
  • Saul Ciriaco WWF Marine Protected Area of Miramare, Trieste,
  • Rocco Auriemma National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysiscs-OGS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.82008/bmm.v30i1.385

Abstract

A preliminary structural and functional analysis of the crustacean community associated to the empty shells of Pinna nobilis(Linnaeus, 1758) has been investigated to assess the persistence of the bio-engineering role of the mediterranean endemic fan mussel following the mass mortality event. Dead specimens of P. nobilis were sampled from two different sites in the Gulf of Trieste (Miramare and San Pietro) by scuba diving following a specially developed protocol aimed to collect exclusively organisms living in and on the shells. A structural and functional diverse crustacean community has been found in the empty shells, witnessing the large ecological relevance of P. nobilis as ecosystem engineer in sedimentary environments, able to increase spatial heterogeneity and complexity and to promote local biodiversity.

Author Biographies

Simona Iannucci, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS

Post-doc researcher  at Section of Oceanography, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, OGS, Trieste

Alessandra Davanzo, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysiscs-OGS

Fellowship researcher at Section of Oceanography, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, OGS, Trieste

Rocco Auriemma, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysiscs-OGS

First level technologist at Section of Oceanography National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, OGS, Trieste

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Published

2026-05-20

How to Cite

Iannucci, S., Davanzo, A., Segarich, M., Ciriaco, S., & Auriemma, R. (2026). EMPTY SHELLS OF PINNA NOBILIS (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA) AS HABITAT FOR A DIVERSE CRUSTACEAN COMMUNITY : CONCHIGLIE VUOTE DI PINNA NOBILIS (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA) COME HABITAT PER UNA COMUNITÀ DIVERSIFICATA DI CROSTACEI . Biologia Marina Mediterranea, 30(1), 112–115. https://doi.org/10.82008/bmm.v30i1.385

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 1 (2026): Biologia Marina Mediterranea

Section

Articles