Cetacean Sanctuary Research Ligurian Sea

Publications and presentations
based on, or including research conducted by Tethys in the Pelagos Sanctuary

(click here to see all the publications by Tethys)

Acquarone M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 1992. Pigmentation patterns of the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, (Meyen, 1833) in the Central Mediterranean Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 6:203-205.

Airoldi S., Azzellino A., Nani B., Ballardini M., Bastoni C., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Sturlese A. 1999. Whale watching in Italy: results of the first three years of activity. European Research on Cetaceans 13:153-156.

Airoldi S., Azzellino A., Fadda V., Gaspari S., Nani B., Zanardelli M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Mariani M. 2000. Social ecology of Risso's dolphins in the Ligurian Sea: preliminary results. European Research on Cetaceans 14:213-217.

Airoldi, S., Fasano, D., Gavazzi, N., Miragliuolo, A., Mussi, B., Mariani, M. In press. Diving behaviour and reactions to tagging of long-finned pilot whales in the central Mediterranean Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 17.

Airoldi, s., Bendinoni, F., Azzellino, A., Fadda, V., Profice, A. In press. Abundance estimate of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the western Ligurian Sea through photographic mark recapture. European Research on Cetaceans 19.

Azzellino, A., Airoldi, S., Gaspari, S., Patti, P., Sturlese, A. 2004. Physical habitat of cetaceans along the continental slope of the western Ligurian Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 15:239-243.

Azzellino, A., D'Amico, A., McGehee, D., Portunato, N. 2004. A preliminary investigation on cetacean habitat in the Ligurian Sanctuary (Sirena '99). European Research on Cetaceans 15:244-248.

Azzellino, A., Borsani, J.F., Carron, M., D'Amico A., Demer, D., McGehee, D. In press. Preliminary development of logistic models to predict habitat use of cetacean species as function of the environmental context in the Ligurian Sea Sanctuary (Solmar - Sirena '99 and '00 campaigns). European Research on Cetaceans 16.

Azzellino, A., Carron, M., D'Amico, A., Misic, C., Podestà, M., Portunato N., Stoner R. In press. Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) habitat use and distribution in the Genoa canyon area (Sirena '02). European Research on Cetaceans 17.

Azzellino, A., Fasano, D., Airoldi, S., Patti, P. In press. Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) distribution in the western Ligurian Sea: does a correlation exist with sea surface temperature? European Research on Cetaceans 19.

Azzellino, A., Airoldi, S., Lanfredi, C., Gaspari, S. 2007. Biological consequences of global warming: does sea surface temperature affect cetacean distribution in the Western Ligurian sea? In Abstracts of 21st Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society.

Azzellino, A., Airoldi, S., Lanfredi, C., Gaspari, S. Biological consequences of global warming: does sea surface temperature affect cetacean distribution in the Western Ligurian sea? In press on the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

Azzellino, A., Gaspari, S., Airoldi; S., Nani, B. In press. Habitat use and preferences of cetaceans along the continental slope and the adjacent pelagic waters in the western ligurian sea. Deep-Sea Research Part I.

Barale, V., Panigada, S., and Zanardelli, M. In press. Habitat preferences of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the North-western Mediterranean Sea: a comparison between in situ and remote sensing data. In: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Remote Sensing for Marine and Coastal Environments, Miami, Florida, 20-22 May 2002.

Bendinoni, F., Azzellino, A., Panigada, S., and Zanardelli, M. 2003. Fin whale population estimates in the Western Ligurian Sea through mark-recapture methods applied to photo-identification Data. In: Abstracts of the 15th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Greensboro, NC, USA, 14-19 December.

Biassoni N., Jahoda M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Lafortuna C. 1999. Fin whale reactions to research vessels, assessed by the use of laser range-finding binoculars and respiration monitoring. European Research on Cetaceans 12:126-130.

D'Amico A., Quero M., Jahoda M., Bondaryk J., Mori C., Tyack P., Williams A., Panigada S., Miller P., Azzellino A. 2003. Lessons learned during fin whale focal follow observations during Sirena 01. Pp. 22 in J. Gordon, D. Thompson and P. Tyack, eds. The use of controlled exposure experiments to investigate the effects of noise on Marine Mammals: scientific, methodological, and pratical considerations. European Cetacean Society Newsletter, Special Issue 41.

Fadda V., Airoldi S. 2000. A note on the persistence of dorsal fin scars on Risso's dolphins photo-identified in the Ligurian Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 14:323.

Focardi S., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Venturino M.C., Zanardelli M., Marsili L. 1991. Subcutaneous organochlorine levels in finback whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from the Ligurian Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 5:93-96.

Focardi S., Marsili L., Leonzio C., Zanardelli M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 1992. Organochlorines and trace elements in skin biopsies of fin whale Balaenoptera physalus and striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba. European Research on Cetaceans 6:230-233.

Fossi, M.C., Marsili, L., Neri. G., Casini, S., Panigada, S. 1999. From perception to prediction of ecotoxicological risk to marine mammals. In: Abstracts of the 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, 28 Nov -3 December.

Fossi, M.C., Marsili, L., Neri, G., Casini, S., Bearzi, G., Politi, E., Zanardelli, M., Panigada, S. 1999. Use of Mediterranean cetaceans skin biopsies in the investigation of interspecies susceptibility to xenobiotic contaminants. PRIMO 10, Williamsburg, VA, USA, 25-29 April 1999.

Fossi, M.C., Marsili, L., Neri, G., Casini, S., Bearzi, G., Politi, E., Zanardelli, M., Panigada, S. 2000. Skin biopsy of Mediterranean cetaceans for the investigation of interspecies susceptibility to xenobiotic contaminants. Marine Environmental Research, 50: 517-521.

Fossi, M.C., Marsili, L., Neri, G., Natoli, A., Politi, E., and Panigada, S. 2003. The use of a non-lethal tool for evaluating toxicological hazard of organochlorine contaminants in Mediterranean cetaceans: new data 10 years after the first paper published in MPB. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 46(8): 972-982.

Gaspari, S., Azzellino, A., Airoldi, S., Hoelzel, A.R. 2000. Association patterns of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the north-west Mediterranean. European Research on Cetaceans 14:138.

Gaspari S., Airoldi S., Hoelzel A.R. 2004. Molecular ecology of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Mediterranean Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 15:309-310.

Gaspari S., Hoelzel A.R., Azzellino A. In press. Patterns of population subdivision, genetic variability and groups kin structure of Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). European Research on Cetaceans 16.

Gaspari, S., Airoldi, S., Hoelzel, A.R. In press. Patterns of population structure of Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus). European Research on Cetaceans 19.

Gaspari, S., Airoldi, S., Hoelzel, A.R. 2007. Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in UK waters are differentiated from a population in the Mediterranean Sea and genetically less diverse.. Conservation Genetics vol 8(3) 727-732.

Gordon J.C.D., Matthews J.N., Panigada S., Gannier A., Borsani J.F., Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 2000. Distribution and relative abundance of striped dolphins, and distribution of sperm whales in the Ligurian Sea cetacean sanctuary: results from a collaboration using acoustic monitoring techniques. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 2(1):27-36.

Jahoda M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 1993. Respiration patterns of fin whales summering in the Ligurian Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 7:237-240.

Jahoda M., Airoldi S., Azzellino A., Biassoni N., Borsani J.F., Cianfanelli L., Lauriano G., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Panigada S., Vallini C., Zanardelli M. 1997. Behavioural reactions to biopsy-darting on Mediterranean fin whales. European Research on Cetaceans 10:43-47.

Jahoda, M., Almirante, C., Azzellino, A., Panigada, S., Zanardelli, M., Canese, S. 1999. 3D tracking as a tool for studying behavior in Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). In: Abstracts of the 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, 28 Nov -3 December.

Jahoda, M., Lafortuna, C., Biassoni, N., Almirante, C., Azzellino, A., Panigada, S., Zanardelli, M. & Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. 2003. Mediterranean fin whale's (Balaenoptera physalus) response to small vessels and biopsy sampling assessed through passive tracking and timing of respiration. Marine Mammal Science 19(1):96-110.

Jahoda M., Azzellino A., Lafortuna C.L., Notarbartolo Di Sciara G., Almirante C., Borsani J.F., D'Amico A., Panigada S., Zanardelli M., Bearzi G. 2004. Passive tracking and timing of respiration as a methodology to determine reactions of Mediterranean fin whales in response to different sources of possible disturbance. European Research on Cetaceans 15:355-357.

Jahoda M., Azzellino A., Airoldi, S., Francia, C. In press. Definition of behavioural categories in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Ligurian Sea Sanctuary in the presence of boats. European Research on Cetaceans 19.

Lafortuna C.L., Jahoda M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Saibene F. 1993. Respiratory pattern in free-ranging striped dolphins. European Research on Cetaceans 7:241-246.

Lafortuna C.L., Jahoda M., Biassoni N., Almirante C., Azzellino A., Zanardelli M., Panigada S., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Saibene F. 1999. Locomotor behaviour and respiratory pattern in Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) tracked in their summer feeding ground. European Research on Cetaceans 12:156-160.

Lafortuna, C.L., Jahoda, M., Azzellino, A., Saibene, F. & Colombina, A. 2003. Locomotor behaviours and respiratory pattern of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). European Journal of Applied Physiology 90:387-395.

Marsili, L., Fossi, M.C., Notarbartolo-di-Sciara, G., Zanardelli, M., Nani, B., Panigada, S. and Focardi, S. 1998. Relationship between organochlorine contaminants and mixed oxidase activity in skin biopsy specimens of Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). Chemosphere 37 (8), 1501-1510.

Marsili, L., Fossi, M.C., Neri, G., Casini, S., Bearzi, G., Politi, E., Zanardelli, M., Panigada, S. 1999. Skin biopsies for cell cultures from Mediterranean free-ranging cetaceans. PRIMO 10, Williamsburg, VA, USA, 25-29 April 1999.

Marsili, L., Fossi, M.C., Neri, G., Gardi, C., Palmeri, S., Tarquini, E., Panigada, S., Zanardelli, M., Politi, E., Bearzi, G. 1999. Skin biopsies for cell cultures from free-ranging cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea. 9th Annual Meeting of SETAC-Europe. Leipzig, Germany, 25-29 May 1999.

Marsili, L., Fossi, M.C., Neri, G., Airoldi, S., Bearzi, G. and Panigada, S. 2000. Skin biopsies for cell cultures from Mediterranean free-ranging cetaceans. European Research on Cetaceans 14:231-233.

Marsili, L., Fossi, M.C., Neri, G., Casini, S., Gardi, C., Palmeri, S., Tarquini, E., Panigada, S. 2000. Skin biopsy of for cell cultures from Mediterranean free-ranging cetaceans. Marine Environmental Research, 50: 523-526.

Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Forcada J., Acquarone M., Fabbri F. 1993. Population estimates of fin whales and striped dolphins summering in the Corso-Ligurian Basin. European Research on Cetaceans 7:135-138.

Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 1994. The Mediterranean Sanctuary for the protection of cetaceans: a difficult transition from paper to reality. European Research on Cetaceans 8:18-21.

Notarbartolo di Sciara G. 1994. La cetofauna del bacino corso-liguro-provenzale: rassegna delle attuali conoscenze. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 1(1):95-98.

Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Bérubé M., Zanardelli M., Panigada S. 1996. The role of the Mediterranean in fin whale ecology: insight through genetics. European Research on Cetaceans 9:218-219.

Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Jahoda M., Biassoni N., Lafortuna C. 1997. Reactions of fin whales to approaching vessels assessed by means of a laser range finder. European Research on Cetaceans 10:38-42.

Notarbartolo-di-Sciara, G., Clark, C.W., Zanardelli, M. and Panigada, S. Migration patterns of fin whales, Balaenoptera physalus: shaky old paradigms and local anomalies. 12th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 20-24 January 1998, Monaco, France.

Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Zanardelli, M., Panigada, S., Jahoda, M. & Airoldi, S. 2003. Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus (L., 1758), in the Mediterranean Sea. Mammal Review 33(2):105-150.

Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Agardy T., Hyrenbach D., Scovazzi T., Van Klaveren P. 2007. The Pelagos sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (in press). DOI: 10.1002/aqc.855.

Palsboll P.J., Bérubé M., Aguilar A., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Nielsen R. 2004. Discerning between recurrent gene flow and recent divergence under a finite-site mutation model applied to north Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) populations. Evolution 58(3):670-675.

Panigada, S., S. Airoldi, A. Azzellino, N. Biassoni, J.F. Borsani, L. Cianfanelli, M. Jahoda, G.C. Lauriano, G. Notarbartolo di Sciara, C. Vallini, e M. Zanardelli. 1997. Reazioni comportamentali al prelievo di biopsie da parte della balenottera comune (Balaenoptera physalus) in Mar Ligure. III National Meeting on Cetaceans, Napoli, 5-6 dicembre 1997.

Panigada, S., J.F. Borsani, G. Notarbartolo di Sciara, e M. Zanardelli. 1997. Presenza, distribuzione e modelli di attività di Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) in Mar Ligure occidentale, rilevati mediante survey acustico e visivo. III National Meeting on Cetaceans, Napoli, 5-6 dicembre 1997.

Panigada, S., Zanardelli, M., Canese, S. and Jahoda, M. 1999. Fin whales tracked with Velocity-Time-Depth-Recorder radio tags in the Western Mediterranean Sea. In: Abstracts of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), Stockholm, Sweden, 29 September-2 October.

Panigada, S., Zanardelli, M., Canese, S. and Jahoda, M. 1999. Deep diving performances of Mediterranean fin whales. In: Abstracts of the 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, 28 Nov -3 December.

Panigada S., Zanardelli M., Canese S., Jahoda M. 1999. How deep can baleen whales dive? Marine Ecology Progress Series 187:309-311.

Panigada S., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Zanardelli M., Airoldi S., Borsani J.F., Jahoda M., Pesante G., Revelli E. 2004. Distribution and occurrence of fin whales in the Ligurian Sea between 1990-99. European Research on Cetaceans 15:194.

Panigada, S. Fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea: presence, distribution, diving behaviour and conservation issues. Míol Mór 2004 - International Whale Conference, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, Ireland. 24-26 September 2004.

Panigada, S., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Zanardelli Panigada, M., and Hammond, P. Fin whales summering in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea): distribution, encounter rate, relation to physiographic variables and conservation issues. IV National Conference on Sea Sciences, CoNISMa, Terrasini, PA, Italy. 18-22 October 2004.

Panigada, S., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. "Il Santuario Pelagos come strumento moderno di tutela per i cetacei del Mediterraneo. Conferenza Straordinaria sull'Ambiente", Porto Ferraio, Elba Island. 28-29 October 2004.

Panigada S., Zanardelli M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G. In press. Conservation issues concerning Mediterranean fin whales. European Research on Cetaceans 16.

Panigada S., Pesante G., Oehen S., Zanardelli M. In press. Day and night-time behaviour of fin whale in the Western Ligurian Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 17.

Panigada S., Zanardelli Panigada M., Hammond P. In press. Distribution of fin whales in the western Ligurian Sea in relation to physiographic variables. European Research on Cetaceans 18.

Panigada, S., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Zanardelli Panigada, M., Airoldi, S., Borsani J.F. and Jahoda, M. In press. Fin whales summering in the Ligurian Sea: distribution, encounter rate, mean group size and relation to physiographic variables. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 7(2):137-145.

Panigada, S., Pesante, G., Zanardelli, M., Capoulade, F., Gannier, A., Weinrich, M.T. 2006. Mediterranean fin whales at risk from fatal ship strikes. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 52:1287-1298.

Panigada, S., Zanardelli, M., MacKenzie, M., Donovan, C., Mélin, F., Hammond, P.S. In press. Modelling habitat preferences for fin whales and striped dolphins in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Western Mediterranean Sea). Remote Sensing of the Environment.

Patti P., Azzellino A., Airoldi S. In press. Sperm whale distribution and habitat use in the western Ligurian Sea: first insight. European Research on Cetaceans 17.

Pesante G., Zanardelli M., Panigada S. 2000. Evidence of man-made injuries on Mediterranean fin whales. European Research on Cetaceans 14:192-193.

Pesante G., Collet A., Dhermain F., Frantzis A., Panigada S., Podestˆ M., Zanardelli M. 2002. Review of collisions in the Mediterranean Sea. Pp. 5-12 in G. Pesante, S. Panigada and M. Zanardelli, eds. Collisions between cetaceans and vessels: can we find solutions? European Cetacean Society Newsletter, Special Issue 40.

Pesante G., Panigada S., Zanardelli M. (eds.) 2002. Collisions between cetaceans and vessels: can we find solutions? European Cetacean Society Newsletter, Special Issue 40.

Revelli E., Panigada S., Zanardelli M., Azzellino A., Canese S. In press. Diving behaviour of Mediterranean fin whales using Velocity-Time Depth Recorders. European Research on Cetaceans 16.

Ricciardi F., Jahoda M., Azzellino A., Almirante C. 2004. The definition of behavioural categories in Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) on the basis of swimming-surfacing parameters. European Research on Cetaceans 15:88-91.

Zanardelli M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Jahoda M. 1992. Photo-identification and behavioural observations of fin whales summering in the Ligurian Sea. European Research on Cetaceans 6:86-89.

Zanardelli, M., S. Panigada, S. Airoldi, J.F. Borsani, M. Jahoda, e G. Notarbartolo di Sciara. 1997. Presenza stagionale e sex ratio di balenottera comune (Balaenoptera physalus) nell'area di alimentazione del Mar Ligure. III National Meeting on Cetaceans, Napoli, 5-6 dicembre 1997.

Zanardelli, M., Panigada, S., Airoldi, S., Borsani, J.F., Jahoda, M., and Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. Site fidelity, seasonal residence and sex ratio of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Ligurian Sea feeding grounds. In: Abstracts of the 12th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 20-24 January 1998, Monaco, France.

University dissertations
Done in the context of Tethys’ Cetacean Sanctuary Research

Giovanna Benazzo. 1993. Photoidentification applied to the study of fin whale ecology in the Mediterranean Sea. Degree in Natural Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Nicoletta Biassoni. 1997. Fin whale behavioural modifications induced by boat presence in the Mediterranean Sea. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Simone Panigada. 1997. Distribution, relative abundance and activity patterns of striped dolphins in the northern Ligurian Sea, detected by means of acoustic and visual surveys. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Michela Giusti. 2000. Characterization of the vocal repertory of the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and its functional implications. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Eletta Revelli. 2000. Telemetry applied to the study of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the western Mediterranean Sea. Degree in Natural Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Francesco Ricciardi. 2000. The behaviour of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) studied by means of combined telemetry and passive-tracking methods. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Chiara Fumagalli. 2001. Distribution, relative abundance and social ecology of cetaceans in the western Ligurian Sea. Degree in Natural Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Federico Bendinoni. 2002. Photoidentification-based population estimate of Balaenoptera physalus in the western Ligurian Sea. Degree in Natural Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Patrizia Patti. 2002. Aspects of the ecology of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Ligurian Sea Sanctuary. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Genova, Italy.

Simone Panigada. 2002. Ecology of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean Sea. Ph.D. thesis, University of Siena, Italy.

Chiara Properzi. 2002. Behavioural reactions of Balaenoptera physalus and Stenella coeruleoalba to remote biopsy sampling and application of velocity-time-depth-recorders (V-TDR). Degree in Natural Sciences thesis, University of Firenze, Italy.

Stefania Gaspari. 2004. Social and population structure of striped and Risso's dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea. Ph.D. thesis, University of Durham, U.K.

Antonella Profice. 2007. Individual photoidentification as a tool for studying a Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) community in the Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Elisa Remonato. 2007. The method of photo-identification applied to the study of Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus, G. Cuvier, 1812) in the western Ligurian Sea. Degree in Natural Sciences thesis, University of Pavia, Italy.

Enrico Pirotta. 2007. Preliminary study on the reproductive success of Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) in the western Ligurian Sea by means the photo-identification method. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan.

Matteo Bazzoli. In progress. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.

Ilaria Sartori. In progress. Degree in Biological Sciences thesis, University of Milan, Italy.