TOMA , Margherita

The Mediterranean Sea is a relatively small basin characterized by a deep homeothermy, a complex water circulation system, and an intricate network of topographic features, including canyons, seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, and abyssal plains. Despite being considered a biodiversity hotspot with a uniquely high percentage of endemic...

The Ligurian Sea is one of the most studied Mediterranean basins. Since the beginning of the last century, many research expeditions have characterized its benthic and pelagic fauna through scuba diving and trawl surveys. However, a large knowledge gap exists about the composition of benthic communities extending into the so-called mesophotic...

Temperate mesophotic reefs (circalittoral and offshore circalittoral hard/firm habitats), host complex threedimensional animal forests and are vulnerable habitats protected by international agreements. In order to evaluate and monitor the environmental status of these ecosystems, the multi-parametric index Mesophotic Assemblages Conservation...