A Dataset of Benthic Species from Mesophotic Bioconstructions on the Apulian Coast (Southeastern Italy, Mediterranean Sea)

Maria Mercurio, Guadalupe Giménez (), Giorgio Bavestrello, Frine Cardone, Giuseppe Corriero, Jacopo Giampaoletti, Maria Flavia Gravina, Cataldo Pierri, Caterina Longo, Adriana Giangrande and Carlotta Nonnis Marzano
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Maria Mercurio: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Guadalupe Giménez: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Giorgio Bavestrello: Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
Frine Cardone: Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
Giuseppe Corriero: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Jacopo Giampaoletti: CNR-IAS—National Research Council—Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09170 Oristano, Italy
Maria Flavia Gravina: Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
Cataldo Pierri: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Caterina Longo: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Adriana Giangrande: NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Carlotta Nonnis Marzano: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy

Data, 2024, vol. 9, issue 3, 1-7

Abstract: Marine bioconstructions are complex habitats that represent a hotspot of biodiversity. Among Mediterranean bioconstructions, those thriving on mesophotic bottoms on southeastern Italian coasts are of particular interest due to their horizontal and vertical extension. In general, the communities that develop in the Mediterranean twilight zone encompassed within the first 30 m of depth are better known, while relatively few data are available on those at greater depths. By further investigating the diversity and structure of mesophotic bioconstructions in the southern Adriatic, we can improve our understanding of Mediterranean biodiversity while developing effective conservation strategies to preserve these habitats of particular interest. The dataset reported here comprises records of benthic marine taxa from algae and invertebrate mesophotic bioconstructions investigated at six sites along the southern Adriatic coast of Italy, at depths between approximately 25 and 65 m. The dataset contains a total of 1718 records, covering 11 phyla and 648 benthic taxa, of which 580 were recognized at the species level. These data could provide a reference point for further investigations with descriptive or management purposes, including the possible assessment of mesophotic bioconstructions as refuges for shallow-water species.

Keywords: Benthos; scleractinian reefs; oyster reefs; mesophotic zone; southern Adriatic Sea (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C8 C80 C81 C82 C83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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