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Article History

Received: 24 April 2026

Accepted: 22 June 2026

First Online: 15 July 2026

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate: For the collection of Pinna rudis tissue samples along the Italian coasts, we employed a specific non-lethal sampling method originally developed and tested on Pinna nobilis . This method did not cause significant damage to the shells or soft tissues, thereby ensuring that the health status and vitality of the animals remained unaffected. This procedure received approval from the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) and the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of Land and Sea. When consulted regarding the authorization to perform the same non-lethal tissue sampling on Pinna rudis , both authorities stated that no specific protection restrictions exist for this species and that the authorization granted for Pinna nobilis tissue collection also extends to Pinna rudis . Consequently, small mantle tissue fragments were collected via scuba diving with minimal harm to the shells or soft tissues of the individuals, under permits from the respective authorities for each protected and unprotected area. These permits also include the derogation authorization under DPR 357/97 for research activities on Pinna nobilis as part of the European LIFE20 NAT/IT/001122—LIFE PINNA project (Prot. MASE 0049391 of 30/03/2023), issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security—Directorate General for Biodiversity and the Sea, and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).

Consent for publication: Not applicable.

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.