Researcher
Integrative Marine Ecology Department (EMI)
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Genova Marine Centre (GMC)
Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Tel. +39 081 5833679
E-mail: elena.desidera(at)szn.it
Research Interests
My main research interests focus on fish ecology and the evaluation of marine protected areas (MPAs) effectiveness. More specifically, I am interested in assessing the effectiveness of fishing restrictions in protecting fish populations, with particular reference to fish reproduction and behavioural ecology. During my PhD I used complementary techniques like underwater visual census (UVC) and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to collect fish data and record fish sound production patterns, also related to reproduction. I am deeply interested in surveying the historical and local ecological knowledge held by the main users of the sea, such as small-scale and recreational fishers as well as SCUBA divers.
Selected Publications
• Desiderà E, Di Blasi D, Poli F, Willis TJ, Bava S, & Guidetti P. (2025). Using Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to inform the multi-habitat life cycle of wreckfish: A Ligurian Sea case study for Mediterranean conservation. Mediterranean Marine Science, 26(3), 743–756. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.41040
• Desiderà E, Mazzoldi C, Navone A, Blandin R, Calò A, Gervaise C, Panzalis P, Trainito E, Guidetti P, & Di Iorio L. (2024). Linking courtship calls and observed behaviours of Epinephelus marginatus in the wild offers new insights into its reproduction and conservation. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 34(1), e4037. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4037
• Desiderà E, Mazzoldi C, Navone A, Panzalis P, Gervaise C, Guidetti P, Di Iorio, L (2022). Reproductive Behaviours and Potentially Associated Sounds of the Mottled Grouper Mycteroperca rubra: Implications for Conservation. Diversity, 14(5), 318. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14050318
• Desiderà E, Trainito E, Navone A, et al. (2021). Using complementary visual approaches to investigate residency, site fidelity and movement patterns of the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) in a Mediterranean marine protected area. Mar Biol 168, 111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03917-9
• Desiderà E, Guidetti P, Panzalis P, Navone A, et al. (2019). Acoustic fish communities: sound diversity of rocky habitats reflects fish species diversity. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 608:183-197. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12812
