FRESHWATER
AND MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
BIODIVERSITY OF MICRO AND MACROFAUNISTIC ASSOCIATIONS OF MARINE
AND FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENTS
FORAMINIFERA
1) Investigation of the morphological features of Foraminifera
living in brackish and seawater environments.
2) Studies on the organic layer of foraminifera to explain the
function of this living structure.
3) Investigation on epibiont foraminifera of invertebrates collected
in Terranova Bay (Antarctica). Compari-son between antarctic
and Mediterranean specimens to emphasize the morphological variability
of the species due to the environmental conditions. Samples
are collected with dredges, grabs and submarine operators. Foraminifera
are identified and measured with an eyepiece micrometer. The
investigations on the organic layer at light microscope and
TEM is performed on individuals decalcified with 1 % HCl solution
or with 2 % EDTA.
MOLLUSCA
Some studies on the biology, ecology and taxonomy of freshwater
bivalves are in progress.
1) Investigations on the biology of some Bivalves recently introduced
in Italy (Anodonta woodiana and Corbicula fluminea).
2) Taxonomic revision of the freshwater bivalve material kept
in the historic collections of some italian Museums.
3) Biogeographic studies of the Bivalve fauna of some italian
regions (Abruzzo, Sicilia, Sardegna).
The investigation on the systematics and morphology implies
light microscope and stereoscopic microscope.
The study of biological cycles implies histological techniques.
CRUSTACEA
DECAPODA
1) Studies on ecology and larval stages of Palaemonetes antennarius
for an attempt at reintroducing the crayfish in the Montepulciano
lake.
2) Investigation on the eutrophic level in the Montepulciano
lake based on the relationship between macrobenthic associations
and biotic and abiotic factors.
3) Morpho-functional factors and influence of epibiotic anemones
on shell selection along a bathymetric gradient.
4) Taxonomic identification of Crustacea Decapoda kept in the
Specola Museum of Florence.
5) Taxonomy of a decapod population collected in the freshwater
environments of Philippine.
Samples, collected with dredges, grabs and submarine operators,
are analysed at light microscope.
