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604 M.C BUIA, M.C. GAMBI, F. BADALAMENTI

Conclusions

Both our results and literature data evidentiate the high variability in the mor-
phology of P. oceanica seedlings, including scale thickness. Such a polymorphism is
detectable also when seedlings of the same location (Ustica island), but collected at
different depths, were compared, and has been also noted by Caye (1989) in specimens
reared in laboratory conditions. These differences demonstrate the relatively high pla-
sticity of seedlings.

Acknowledgement

We wish to thank Dr. Stefano Piraino for collection of seedlings along the Ionian coast.

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