This study provided information on the ecological status of the Alcantara River (Sicily, Italy) along its course and tested the use of a suite of bioindicators to determine a river’s health. The primary objective was the validation of a multi-disciplinary ecological approach at different taxonomic levels. The approach included riparian plant physiology, the microbial, zooplanktonic and macroinvertebrate assemblages, Coleoptera (Insecta) and river hydrology. This approach was validated rather than the employment of a single biotic or physical attribute.

Homing after experimental displacement is widespread among bony fishes but has only been documented in two species of cartilaginous fishes. This study presents the first evidence of homing after experimental displacement in a species of ray. The homing ability of the rays, and that it can be triggered on demand, suggests that the rays are suitable models for navigational experiments.

Dune land use such as cattle rearing and sugar cane cultivation affects dune lakes. The object of the study was to analyse the impact of the surrounding land use on the plant species composition, vegetation structure, water quality and water level fluctuations. Dune lakes are valuable environmental assets, and local management should aim to conserve and restore their vegetation and water quality.

Known only from Arabian waters, the smoothtooth blacktip shark is poorly understood. This work aims to address knowledge gaps and presents new data on aspects including size, reproduction and distribution. The results further our understanding of this species and help inform conservation efforts.

This work presents further evidence for the ecological importance of burrowing crabs in mangrove ecosystems. Mud crab (Scylla serrata) burrows in an estuarine mangrove intertidal zone were identified as microhabitats for a specific gobiid (Redigobius dewaali). The utilisation of these burrows by large numbers of a single fish species suggests that there is a degree of commensalism between S. serrata and R. dewaali in these intertidal habitats.

Poor understanding of the nutritional requirements of spiny lobster larvae and unsuitable diets are some of the major reasons for high mortalities during larval culture. This paper identifies the biochemical profiles of the likely zooplankton prey of spiny lobster larvae, showing that those species provide reliable source of protein. The results will be useful for the development of artificial diets to improve aquaculture.

Dynamics of Alexandrium tamarense and the factors that influence its blooms, as well as the relationship between A. tamarense and paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSTs) in shellfish, have only been rarely studied in the East China Sea. This investigation showed that nutrient concentrations and temperature played important roles in determining the amplitude of A. tamarense blooms and an increase in cell numbers of A. tamarense coincided with the detection of PSTs in shellfish. This research provides a basis for the establishment of effective toxin-monitoring strategies.

Bushfire effects on aquatic macroinvertebrates in northern Victorian streams (Australia) have been studied. Nine months after the bushfires, coinciding with a severe a prolonged period of drought, there was a significant effect of bushfire on macroinvertebrate richness, composition and function. The consequences of the megadrought, combined with catchment bushfires, have no doubt reduced the resilience of the macroinvertebrate communities.

Stormwater has significant impacts on the ecological and social value of waterways. We investigate the impact of stormwater in an urban lake and conclude that microbial activity is responsible for the depletion of dissolved oxygen and organic material, including fractions of carbon normally considered to be recalcitrant. The results provide insight into processes occurring in highly modified systems with competing uses.