Epibiosis in Aquatic Environments

Dear Colleagues,

Interactions among living organisms have determined their evolutive history. Biotic substrates represent potential habitat opportunities for epibionts, developing their life history beyond external surfaces. The ecological associations among animal organisms represent a topic that has not been extensively investigated but is constantly evolving. The epibiosis also represents a potential facilitative mechanism for the settlement of non-indigenous species. The interspecific interaction between basibionts and epibionts often provides favorable ecological conditions for the colonization of new habitats based on non-native species, driving the invasion process. Additionally, in this era, abiotic anthropogenic substrates, which pollute natural environments, have direct impacts on population dynamics and community composition, offering more potential colonizable habitats. Researchers have sought to investigate the biology of aquatic epibionts and distribution results that are essential in current applied zoology and conservation, updating the biodiversity knowledge base for habitat protection and restoration. Moreover, new descriptions and ways of monitoring of epibiont species on different natural and artificial substrates could be essential in investigating ecosystem processes based on invasive or alien species for a specific area.

We are pleased to invite submissions from authors from around the world that deal with different aquatic habitats to enhance the knowledge base on epibionts’ biology and their interactions. Submissions should explore the role of epibiosis in aquatic environments and the effect of basibiont/epibiont relationships on ecosystem evolution driving forces.

In this Special Issue, both original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Epibiont interactions;
• Biological features of epibiont organisms;
• Experimental trials involving epibionts;
• Epibiont update checklists;
• Geographical literature reviews;
• Plastisphere interactions;
• Anthropogenic impacts on epibiont interactions;
• The recent occurrence of epibiont species;
• The impact of on-native species on epibiont communities;
• Relations between non-native basibionts and non-native epibionts.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Marco Albano
Dr. Claudio D’Iglio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• conservation
• biodiversity
• animals
• aquatic environments
• marine biology
• marine zoology
• marine ecology
• radiation biology
• interspecific interactions
• evolution