OAR@UM Collection:

The growing spread of the non-native brahminy blind snake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), across the Maltese archipelago

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The growing spread of the non-native brahminy blind snake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), across the Maltese archipelago Authors: Sciberras, Arnold; Deidun, Alan; Lo Valvo, Mario; Sciberras, Jeffrey; Borg Bonaci, Kurt; Cortis, Bernard; Faraone, Francesco Paolo Abstract: The brahminy blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus, native to the Indo-Malayan region, is a small fossorial snake with many populations worldwide introduced, whose presence in Malta was first reported in 2020 in a Marsa sport center. Its spread, as a "contaminant" of soil, has globally increased following the plant trade globalisation. Here, we update the distribution of I. braminus in the Maltese archipelago. Data were collected through targeted sampling and citizen science methods. Records with mutual distances greater than 100 m were treated as different sites. 47 records, spanning between 2017 and 2026, were collected, for a total of 65 I. braminus individuals. The species was found in 34 different sites in the islands of Malta (n=31), Gozo (n=2), and Comino (n=1). Most of the records was linked to highly anthropized environments: 38.3% from 12 different plant nurseries and garden centers, 17% inside or close to crops and greenhouses, 12.8% from six different public green areas, 10.6% from buildings and urbanized areas, 8.5% in or close to private gardens. In four cases the species was found outside of human settlement, such as eucalyptus reforestations and garrigue. Interestingly, in non-irrigated sites I. braminus has been sometimes found in relatively moist microhabitats, such as shady carob litter and close to artificial water-bodies. Our results highlight an unexpectedly wide distribution of I. braminus in the Maltese archipelago and confirm its dispersal pattern, clearly linked to plant trade. The species' occurrence is likely linked to multiple introductions rather than active spread. Observations in dry and seminatural areas, although apparently marginal, deserve further monitoring to assess whether they are accidental or due to the presence of stable populations.

Jellyfish bioactive compounds fueling marine biotechnology in blue economy and biomedicine

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Jellyfish bioactive compounds fueling marine biotechnology in blue economy and biomedicine Authors: La Spina, Enrico; Barbagallo, Ignazio A.; Giallongo, Cesarina; Longhitano, Lucia; Leotta, Paola; Conti, Giuseppe N.; Giallongo, Sebastiano; Lombardo, Sofia P.; Felici, Alberto; Bellia, Francesco; Tropea, Emanuela; Li Volti, Giovanni; Torrisi, Alfio; Marrone, Alessio; Deidun, Alan; Tiralongo, Francesco; Tibullo, Daniele Abstract: Jellyfish, often primarily perceived by the public as a marine nuisance, represent an increasingly valuable and sustainable source of diverse biomolecules with significant potential for the biomedical sciences, in addition to their crucial ecological role within marine ecosystems. This review explores the properties, extraction and applications of key jellyfish-derived compounds, including collagen, peptides, sulfated polysaccharides, glycoproteins and venom components. The relevance of jellyfish as a bioresource is underscored by episodic bloom events in the Mediterranean, where species such as Rhizostoma pulmo (Macri, 1778) have been reported in affected coastal areas. This review provides a critical synthesis of current advances in the extraction, characterization, and biotechnological exploitation of jellyfish-derived bioactive compounds, on ecologically and biotechnologically relevant Mediterranean species, which collectively represent accessible and high-impact targets for marine bioprospecting. Evidence from non-Mediterranean species is also discussed for comparative purposes to contextualize conserved biochemical features across different biogeographical regions. Among jellyfish-derived biomolecules, collagen emerges as the most technologically mature and translationally advanced compound, supported by reproducible extraction protocols, preserved triple-helical structure, cytocompatibility, and compatibility with pre-GMP manufacturing workflows. Recent studies further demonstrate that aquaculture-reared Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775) may achieve collagen yields comparable to wild populations (~40–46%) while exhibiting enhanced antioxidant profiles, supporting the feasibility of controlled biofactory approaches. In contrast, peptides, sulfated polysaccharides, and venom components display promising biological activities but remain at earlier stages of technological readiness, requiring further standardization, structure–function elucidation, and regulatory development. Within circular and blue bioeconomy frameworks, jellyfish biomass—particularly from invasive or bloom-forming species such as C. andromeda—offers a concrete opportunity to unlock novel therapeutic solutions and advanced biomaterials, addressing critical unmet medical needs and offering a sustainable alternative to traditional biomedical resources.

Seismic anisotropy indicates organized melt beneath the Mid-Atlantic Ridge aids seafloor spreading

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Seismic anisotropy indicates organized melt beneath the Mid-Atlantic Ridge aids seafloor spreading Authors: Kendall, J. M.; Schlaphorst, D.; Rychert, C. A.; Harmon, N.; Agius, Matthew; Tharimena, S. Abstract: Lithospheric plates diverge at mid-ocean ridges and asthenospheric mantle material rises in response. The rising material decompresses, which can result in partial melting, potentially impacting the driving forces of the system. Yet the geometry and spatial distribution of the melt as it migrates to the ridge axis are debated. Organized melt fabrics can cause strong seismic anisotropy, which can be diagnostic of melt, although this is typically not found at ridges. We present anisotropic constraints from an array of 39 ocean-bottom seismometers deployed on 0–80 Ma lithosphere from March 2016 to March 2017 near the equatorial Mid- Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Local and SKS measurements show anisotropic fast directions away from the ridge axis, which are consistent with strain and associated fabric caused by plate motions with short delay times, δt (<1.1 s). Near the ridge axis, we find several ridge-parallel fast splitting directions, φ, with SKS δt that are much longer (1.7–3.8 s). This is best explained by ridge-parallel sub-vertical orientations of sheet-like melt pockets. This observation is much different than anisotropic patterns observed at other ridges, which typically reflect fabric related to plate motions. One possibility is that thicker sub-ridge lithosphere with steep subridge topography beneath slower spreading centers focuses melt into vertical, ridge-parallel melt bands, which effectively weakens the plate. Associated buoyancy forces elevate the subridge plate, providing greater potential energy and enhancing the driving forces of the plates.

Thermal effluent exposure reveals early physiological constraints and the bioindicator potential of the invasive pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in a warming Mediterranean Sea

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Thermal effluent exposure reveals early physiological constraints and the bioindicator potential of the invasive pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in a warming Mediterranean Sea Authors: Marrone, Alessio; Geremia, Eugenio; Muscari Tomajoli, Maria Teresa; Esposito Marroccella, Sara; Petito, Adriana; Fasciolo, Gianluca; Donnarumma, Luigia; Venditti, Paola; Deidun, Alan; Napolitano, Gaetana Abstract: Thermal pollution from coastal power stations creates persistent local hotspots that can serve as in situ analogues of future ocean warming scenarios. We investigated the physiological and metabolic responses of the invasive pearl oyster Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814) along a thermal gradient (26.3 °C, 27.1 °C, 28.5 °C) generated by the Delimara Power Station (Malta) cooling-water effluent. Redox-related biomarkers (reactive oxygen species [ROS] content; lipid hydroperoxides [HPs] and protein carbonyls [CO]; susceptibility to oxidants [ΔHPs]; total antioxidant capacity [TAC]; glutathione peroxidase [GPX] and glutathione reductase [GR] activity) and aerobic (cytochrome c oxidase [COX] activity) and anaerobic (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] activity) metabolism were evaluated in gills and adductor muscles.; Gills exhibited no significant differences at 27.1 °C as compared to 26.3 °C. At 28.5 °C, reduced TAC, GPX, and GR, and increased HPs were indicative of oxidative damage. The adductor muscle exhibited a temperature-dependent response: at 27.1 °C, increased TAC, GPX, and GR, and reduced ΔHPs and CO, compared to 26.3 °C, were indicative of improved protection against oxidative damage; at 28.5 °C, the antioxidant profile was comparable to that at 26.3 °C. Interestingly, the increased ΔHPs and reduced TAC and GPX at 28.5 °C compared to 27.1 °C suggested a constraint of compensatory antioxidant mechanisms under higher thermal load. Metabolic analyses revealed unchanged COX activity in gills but reduced COX activity in the adductor muscle together with decreased LDH activity in both tissues, suggesting coordinated metabolic downregulation under prolonged thermal exposure. In conclusion, P. radiata exhibited thermal tolerance, although compensatory mechanisms became progressively constrained at the highest temperature. Further warming may therefore impair performance or shift distribution toward higher latitudes or deeper waters.