Jean-Xavier Dessa, Marie-Odile Beslier, Laure Schenini, Nicolas Chamot-Rooke, Nicolà Corradi, Matthias Delescluse, Jacques Déverchère, Christophe Larroque, Mohamed B. Miguil, Stéphane Operto, Alessandra Ribodetti, Serge Sambolian, SEFASILS Shipboard Team
Seismic exploration of the deep structure and seismogenic faults in the Ligurian Sea by joint MCS and OBS acquisition: preliminary results of the SEFASILS cruise

The north Ligurian margin is a complex geological area on many accounts. It has witnessed several phases of highly contrasting deformation styles, at crustal scale and through shallow cover tectonics, simultaneously or in quick succession, and with significant spatial variability. This complex interplay is mirrored in intricate structures that make it hard to identify active faults responsible for both, the significant seismicity observed and the tectonic inversion undergone by the margin, identified on morphostructural grounds. We present here the first preliminary results of the leg 1 of SEFESILS cruise, conducted in 2018 offshore Monaco, in an effort to answer these questions by means of modern deep seismic acquisitions, using multichannel reflection and wide-angle sea-bottom records. Some first interpretations are provided and point towards an active basement deformation that focuses at the limits between main crustal domains.

Di Fiore V., Lirer F., Budillon F., Pelosi N., Punzo M., Iavarone M., Scotto di Vettimo P.
Combined geophysical measurements off the coast of Ischia Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) as a contribution to the natural hazard assessment

The COSMEI survey was conceived and carried out in the wake of the emergency following the Casamicciola earthquake in 2017. The geophysical investigations were targeted towards two main objectives, i.e. identify possible active structures and to dimension the debris avalanche deposit on the northern offshore of the island. Single- and multichannel seismics, differential-magnetic and resistivity, MBES geophysical data were acquired in December 2017 on board the Minerva Uno oceanographic vessel. The first results ensuing the processing phase, allowed to gather further information on the seismicstratigraphic characterization of the north-western sector of the island of Ischia, and the identification of shallow resistivity and magnetic volcano-tectonic anomalies.

Sebastien Saintignan, Matteo Costantino, Andrea Giovannini, Guido Pietroluongo, Arianna Zampollo, Cristina Giacoma, Marta Azzolin
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy, and Species Distribution Model of striped dolphin within the Gulf of Corinth (Greece)

The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is one of the most abundant cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea, nevertheless it is classified as a vulnerable species for the Mediterranean basin, according to IUCN experts. Information about its distribution, population size, interaction with human activities, are crucial for its conservation. The Gulf of Corinth is a Protected Area that belongs to the European Network Natura 2000, and that is classified as an Important Marine Mammal Area, for the presence in its waters of the following species of cetaceans: striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Striped dolphin is the most abundant species of the Gulf. It may be sighted in single species group or in mixed group with common dolphin and/or Risso s dolphins. Investigating striped dolphin distribution within the Gulf of Corinth it is crucial for the conservation of this protected species in this Protected Area. During the summers of the years from 2009 to 2017, 168 surveys were carried out for monitoring striped dolphins presence and distribution. 194 sightings of striped dolphins were realised. In order to investigate the distribution of striped dolphin within the Gulf of Corinth three different approaches have been employed: Species Distribution Model, Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy. A Species Distribution Model was developed by employing Maxent. The Extent of Occurrence and the Area of Occupancy of the species were identified with QGIS. A comparison between the area highlighted with the three different geographical approaches was then carried out. This study shows that Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy are useful tools that could be integrated with the results of a Species Distribution Model for a better conservation of a species within an investigated area.

Cataldo Pierri, Manuél Marra, Paolo Colangelo, Roberto Carlucci, Gianluca Cirelli, Annachiara Pisto, Giuseppe Corriero, Giovanni Scillitani
Habitat suitability for loggerhead turtle nesting sites along the Southern Adriatic and Northern Ionian (Central Mediterranean Sea)

We present a model of habitat suitability for the loggerhead turtle nesting sites along the Apulian and Lucanian Coasts. The model is based on nesting records and seven environmental variables, i.e. distances from isobaths of 1500 m and 3200 m, absolute depth, mean monthly surface temperature of sea, mean monthly concentration of chlorophyll, mean monthly solar radiation and mean VIIRS Day/Night Band Nighttime Lights. Maps were computed for each variable and processed to obtain a MaxEnt distribution model of nesting sites suitability. The nesting suitability model shows that AUC estimate from iterative ROC analysis is high (0.981, s.d.= 0.009). Jackknife estimations for variable contribution to model indicated that the most important contributors were absolute depth, Day/Night Band Nighttime Lights and coastline distance from the bathymetric lines of 3200 m. Areas of maximum suitability for nesting are around Salento, and great part of Ionian coast of Lucania. Although preliminary, the present model represents a useful tool for the prediction of the habitat suitability of C. caretta and the implementation of conservation measures according indications from the SPA/BD Protocol.

Francesca Cornelia Santacesaria, Stefano Bellomo, Carmelo Fanizza, Rosalia Maglietta, Vito Renò, Giulia Cipriano, Roberto Carlucci
Long-term residency of Tursiops truncatus in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Centraleastern Mediterranean Sea)

Photo-identification data of Tursiops truncatus in the Gulf of Taranto were collected from 2013 to 2018, providing information on its residency pattern and spatial distribution in the study area. On a total of 1117 dolphins observed through the study period, 92 individuals were distinctly identified. Among them, 57 were re-sighted up to fourteen times and the occurrence of 36 individuals re-sighted in different years provides the evidence of multi-year resident, occasional visitor and transient individuals. These results suggest an important inter-annual variability in the habitat use of the study area and emphasize the importance of the Gulf of Taranto as suitable habitat for T. truncatus. Although the majority of the identified dolphins seem to prefer shallower waters within 200 m, 26 individuals have been re-sighted on upper slope grounds, suggesting the occurrence of an offshore ecotype in the study area. Further studies are necessary to investigate driving forces influencing seasonal residency and site fidelity patterns of this dolphin species.