Researcher
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Sicily Marine Centre
Integrative Marine Ecology Department
Villa Pace - C.da Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina – Italia
E-mail: battaglia.pietro(at)szn.it
Skype: pieroboceano
Research Interests
Studies are aimed to investigate various aspects of marine fish biology and ecology as well as fishery resources and management.
Special attention is given to Mediterranean mesopelagic and bathypelagic fish, focusing on a wide range of research themes: growth, taxonomy, distribution and records of rare species, trophic ecology, relationship between species abundance, lunar cycle and environmental parameters, morphology and ontogenetic changes in otoliths, microplastic ingestion, morphology and structure of luminous organs, parasites, population biology.
An important part of my research is focused on the sustainable use of fishing resources and fishery management, with particular attention to small-scale fisheries. In this frame, the research activity is aimed to drive local fishing communities to develop co-management schemes leading to sustainable use of fisheries resources, in synergy with several Mediterranean areas.
The trophic ecology of fish is one of the main research issue, using the stomach content analysis. In this field, I am an expert in the identification of fish otoliths and cephalopod beaks in the guts.
Other research interests concern: i) large pelagic fish ecology; ii) age and growth estimation in fish; iii) Mediterranean cephalopod and fish taxonomy; iv) impact of marine litter on the marine trophic web and habitats; v) biodiversity in marine habitats, including banks, seamounts, volcanic areas; vi). effects of MPAs protection on fisheries resources; vii) Non indigenous fish species in Mediterranean waters.
Selected Publications
Fossi M.C., Pedà C., Compa M., Tsangaris C., Alomar C., Claro F., Ioakeimidis C., Galgani F., Hema T., Deudero S., Romeo T., Battaglia P., Andaloro F., Caliani I., Casini S., Panti C., Baini M. (2018). Bioindicators for monitoring marine litter ingestion and its impacts on Mediterranean biodiversity. Environmental Pollution, 237: 1023-1040.
Battaglia P., Ammendolia G., Cavallaro M., Consoli P., Esposito V., Malara D., Rao I., Romeo T., Andaloro F. (2017). Influence of lunar phases, winds and seasonality on the stranding of mesopelagic fish in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea). Marine Ecology, 38(5), e12459.
Battaglia P., Andaloro F., Consoli P., Pedà C., Raicevich S., Spagnolo M., Romeo T. (2017). Baseline data to characterize and manage the small-scale fishery (SSF) of an oncoming Marine Protected Area (Cape Milazzo, Italy) in the western Mediterranean Sea. Ocean & Coastal Management, 148: 231-244.
Consoli P., Esposito V., Battaglia P., Altobelli C., Perzia P., Romeo T., Canese S., Andaloro F. (2016). Fish distribution and habitat complexity on banks of the Strait of Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea) from Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) explorations. PLoS ONE 11(12): e0167809.
Battaglia P., Andaloro F., Esposito V., Granata A., Guglielmo L., Guglielmo R., Musolino S., Romeo T., Zagami G. (2016). Diet and trophic ecology of the lanternfish Electrona risso (Cocco 1829) in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea) and potential resource utilization from the Deep Scattering Layer (DSL). Journal of Marine Systems, 159: 100–108.
Battaglia P., Potoschi A., Valastro M., Andaloro F., Romeo T. (2015). Age, growth, biological and ecological aspects of Remora osteochir (Echeneidae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 96(03): 639-645.
Romeo T., Battaglia P., Pedà C., Consoli P., Andaloro F., Fossi M.C. (2015). First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 95: 358–361.
Battaglia P., Andaloro F., Consoli P., Esposito V., Malara D., Musolino S., Pedà C., Romeo T. (2013). Feeding habits of the Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L. 1758), in the central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina). Helgoland Marine Research, 67(1): 97-107.
Battaglia P., Malara D., Romeo T., Andaloro F. (2010). Relationships between otolith size and fish size in some mesopelagic and bathypelagic species from the Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Messina, Italy). Scientia Marina, 74 (3): 605-612.
Battaglia P., Romeo T., Consoli P., Scotti G., Andaloro F. (2010). Characterization of the artisanal fishery and its socio-economic aspects in the central Mediterranean Sea (Aeolian Islands, Italy). Fisheries Research, 102: 87-97.
