The community of Cystoseira brachycarpa J. Agardh emend. Giaccone (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in a shallow hydrothermal vent area of the Aeolian Islands (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Abstract

A Cystoseira brachycarpa community from a vent area off Panarea Island (Italy) was investigated in two sites at different pH values. At low pH, species richness and coverage were low and the community displayed a reduced reproductive capacity. Conversely, at normal pH, dense canopies of fertile C. brachycarpa were found.

Keywords::

• Aeolian Islands, Cystoseira brachycarpa community
• ocean acidification
• shallow hydrothermal vents
• Tyrrhenian Sea

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank A. Gómez Garreta, M.A. Ribera Siguan and C. Orestano for their valued suggestions as well for their help in the identification of doubtful taxa. We are also grateful to M. Milazzo for providing constructive comments on the manuscript and also F. Luzzu and A. Scannavino for their assistance in field activities. This work was supported by a Ph.D. Grant from the University of Palermo.