Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures,
regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs …

Abstract Knowledge on basic biological functions of organisms is essential to understand
not only the role they play in the ecosystems but also to manage and protect their …

The term cold-water coral sensu lato groups taxa with a more or less pronounced frame-
building ability (eg Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata) with forest-forming organisms …

A new cold-water coral (CWC) province has been identified in the Mediterranean Sea in the
Capo Spartivento canyon system offshore the southern coast of Sardinia. The 'Sardinia cold …

Abstract Recent ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) exploration and bottom sampling in the
southern Adriatic Sea (Apulian and Montenegrin margins) resulted in the discovery of …

Cold-water corals are recognised as a key component of Mediterranean deep-sea
ecosystems but the knowledge of their associated biodiversity is still limited. To date, the …

Abstract The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), introduced in June 2008, was
adopted to achieve a Good Environmental Status (GES) in the EU's marine waters and to …

Stony corals, especially scleractinians, are a recurrent component of the benthic fauna of the
Mediterranean basin and its Mesozoic-to-Cenozoic precursors. Both morphological and …

Scleractinian cold-water corals (CWCs) are among the main habitat engineers of the deep
Mediterranean Sea, hosting a high diversity of species and playing a significant ecological …

New cold‐water coral (CWC) sites were recorded along the Apulian margin (Central
Mediterranean). The species composition and depth distribution of CWC s were updated. A …