A contribution to the knowledge of epiphytic flora on the leaves of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa Ucria (Ascherson) (Najadales, Potamogetonaceae) of the "Bay of Brucoli" (South-Eastern Sicily)

Abstract

The results of a study carried out on the epiphytic flora on the leaves of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa occurring in the Bay of Brucoli (Syracuse, SE Sicily) are presented. Sampling was carried out in three stations and in two different seasons (summer and winter) in order to provide a contribution to the study of this epiphyte flora also considering the absence of data concerning these plant formations. From this study it resulted that the floristic richness of the macroalgal epiphytic flora on the leaves of Cymodocea nodosa is rather high, although the high number of species with wide ecological valence reflects some degree of environmental instability. Therefore, given the high landscape value as concerns the marine environment of this Bay, it can be concluded that environmental monitoring as well actions aiming at the protection and preservation of this important ecosystem are needed.