The role of constructed reefs in non-indigenous species introductions and range expansions

Anthropogenic vectors have moved marine species around the world leading to increased invasions and expanded species' ranges. The biotic resistance hypothesis of Elton (in The ecology of invasions by animals and plants , 1958) predicts that more diverse communities should have greater resistance to invasions, but experiments have been equivocal. We hypothesized that species richness interacts with other factors to determine experimental outcomes. We manipulated species richness, species composition (native and introduced) and availability of bare space in invertebrate assemblages in a marina in Monterey, CA. Increased species richness significantly interacted with both initial cover of native species and of all organisms to collectively decrease recruitment. Although native species decreased recruitment, introduced species had a similar effect, and we concluded that biotic resistance is conferred by total species richness. We suggest that contradictory conclusions in previous studies about the role of diversity in regulating invasions reflect uncontrolled variables in those experiments that modified the effect of species richness. Our results suggest that patches of low diversity and abundance may facilitate invasions, and that such patches, once colonized by non-indigenous species, can resist both native and non-indigenous species recruitment.

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An additional record of the non-indigenous species (NIS) Seriola fasciata from the southern coast of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Acta Adriatica ◽

10.32582/aa.61.2.12 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 223-230

Author(s):

Michele Luca Geraci ◽

Fabio Falsone ◽

Danilo Scannella ◽

Sergio Vitale

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Southern Coast ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

Seriola Dumerili ◽

Central Mediterranean Sea ◽

Greater Amberjack ◽

Non Indigenous Species

An additional record of the non-indigenous species (NIS) Seriola fasciata from the southern coast of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) is here described in this note. The catch record is the first in the area and confirms the key role of the area for NIS spreading. In addition, an updated map of its spatial distribution is provided as well as a discussion on the possible misidentification and competition with the native greater amberjack Seriola dumerili.

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Does Sand Beach Nourishment Enhance the Dispersion of Non-Indigenous Species?—The Case of the Common Moon Crab, Matuta victor (Fabricius, 1781), in the Southeastern Mediterranean

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9080911 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 911

Author(s):

Dov Zviely ◽

Dror Zurel ◽

Dor Edelist ◽

Menashe Bitan ◽

Ehud Spanier

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Scientific Research ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

Beach Nourishment ◽

Small Scale ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Sand Beach ◽

Non Indigenous Species

Sand beach nourishment (BN) is one of the commonest “soft solutions” for shore protection and restoration. Yet it may have ecological consequences. Can this practice enhance the introduction and dispersal of non-indigenous species (NIS)? There has been little research on the impacts of nourishment on NIS, especially in the southeastern Mediterranean, a region considered most affected by invading biota. However, so far only one study referred to the possible interaction between BN and the success of invading species. It reports increasing numbers and densities of the aggressive, omnivorous Indo-Pacific moon crab, Matuta victor (Fabricius, 1781) in Haifa Bay (northern Israel) between 2011 and 2017. This research suggests a possible role of anthropogenic disturbance in the outbreak of M. victor and blames the Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection for authorizing a (rather small scale) BN in Haifa Bay in 2011 as an alleged cause for this outbreak. Circumstantial indirect evidence is not sufficient to establish the role of nourishment in promoting the establishment and dispersal of NIS. There are plenty of examples of successful settlement and rapid and large-scale distribution of NIS (including another member of the genus Matuta), especially in the eastern Mediterranean, without any BN in the region. Furthermore, the location where the M. victor specimens were sampled was exposed to more prevailing and frequent anthropogenic marine stressors than BN, such as eutrophication, pollution, fishing activities and particularly port construction. To firmly establish an assumed role of nourishment in the invasion of NIS, assessments must be based on solid and orderly planned scientific research to be designed well before the beginning of any BN. It is suggested that direct communication between environmental regulators and scientists is crucial for improving both scientific research and environmental management policies.

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Non-Indigenous Species on Artificial Coastal Environments: Experimental Comparison between Aquaculture Farms and Recreational Marinas

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9101121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1121

Author(s):

Lydia Png-Gonzalez ◽

Patrício Ramalhosa ◽

Ignacio Gestoso ◽

Soledad Álvarez ◽

Natacha Nogueira

Keyword(s):

Potential Role ◽

Experimental Comparison ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Ne Atlantic ◽

Fouling Communities ◽

Anthropogenic Pressures ◽

Marine Communities ◽

Non Indigenous Species ◽

Aquaculture Facilities

Globally, there is growing concern regarding the effects of the increasing anthropogenic pressures in marine communities. Artificial structures such as marinas and aquaculture facilities serve as invasion hotspots; hence, monitoring fouling communities on these structures can be valuable for detecting new invasions. In the current study, 24 settlement PVC plates were deployed for three months to compare the recruitment ability of these two artificial environments along the south coast of the offshore island of Madeira (NE Atlantic). The results showed higher variations in the species richness between regions (SW vs. SE) than between artificial habitats (sea-cages vs. marinas), although the community composition differed. Cnidaria and Bryozoa were the most representative groups in the aquaculture systems, while Bryozoa and Chordata were in the marinas. A sum of 18 NIS was recorded for the study, accounting for between 21.88% and 54.84% of the total number of species in the aquaculture facilities and marinas, respectively. The higher NIS percentage from the marinas was even more explicit in the SE coast, where Cradoscrupocellaria bertholletii, Parasmittina alba, and Botrylloides niger distinctly dominated fouling populations. The results suggest that at least some particular NIS previously reported in the studied marinas successfully colonized sea-cages. Future assessments need to address the potential role of aquaculture facilities as drivers for the secondary spread of NIS. Additionally, two new records are considered for Madeira: Eudendrium capillare and Ericthonius punctatus.

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Multiple introductions and secondary dispersion of Tubastraea spp. in the Southwestern Atlantic

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-50442-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

K. C. C. Capel ◽

J. Creed ◽

M. V. Kitahara ◽

C. A. Chen ◽

C. Zilberberg

Keyword(s):

Indigenous Species ◽

Southwestern Atlantic ◽

Broad Distribution ◽

Multiple Introductions ◽

Marine Realm ◽

Multiple Invasions ◽

Tubastraea Coccinea ◽

Non Indigenous Species ◽

Accidental Introduction

Abstract Accidental introduction through ballast water and biofouling are currently the main factors responsible for spreading non-indigenous species in the marine realm. In the Southwestern Atlantic, two scleractinian corals, Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis, have been introduced by opportunistic colonization in 1980 and are now widespread along more than 3,500 km of coastline. To better understand the invasion process and the role of vectors in spreading these species, we sampled 306 and 173 colonies of T. coccinea and T. tagusensis from invaded sites, possible vectors and one native population. Analyses revealed a higher diversity of multi-locus genotypes (MLGs) on vectors, suggesting that they were contaminated prior to their arrival in the Southwestern Atlantic, and a high proportion of clones at invaded sites, with few genotypes spread over ~2,000 km. This broad distribution is most likely a result of secondary introductions through the transport of contaminated vectors. Results also suggest the occurrence of multiple invasions, mainly in the northernmost sites. In summary, clonality, secondary introductions, and multiple invasions are the main reasons for the broad spread and invasive success of Tubastraea spp. in the Southwestern Atlantic. Consequently, the correct control of vectors is the most effective approach for management and prevention of new invasions.

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The Role of Biofilms Developed under Different Anthropogenic Pressure on Recruitment of Macro-Invertebrates

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21062030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 2030

Author(s):

Eva Cacabelos ◽

Patrício Ramalhosa ◽

João Canning-Clode ◽

Jesús S. Troncoso ◽

Celia Olabarria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Conditions ◽

Propagule Pressure ◽

Anthropogenic Pressure ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Control Mechanisms ◽

Microbial Biofilms ◽

Composition Structure ◽

Non Indigenous Species ◽

And Control

Microbial biofilms can be key mediators for settlement of macrofoulers. The present study examines the coupled effects of microbial biofilms and local environmental conditions on the composition, structure and functioning of macrofouling assemblages. Settlement of invertebrates over a gradient of human-impacted sites was investigated on local biofilms and on biofilms developed in marine protected areas (MPAs). Special attention was given to the presence of non-indigenous species (NIS), a global problem that can cause important impacts on local assemblages. In general, the formation of macrofouling assemblages was influenced by the identity of the biofilm. However, these relationships varied across levels of anthropogenic pressure, possibly influenced by environmental conditions and the propagule pressure locally available. While the NIS Watersipora subatra seemed to be inhibited by the biofilm developed in the MPA, Diplosoma cf. listerianum seemed to be attracted by biofilm developed in the MPA only under mid anthropogenic pressure. The obtained information is critical for marine environmental management, urgently needed for the establishment of prevention and control mechanisms to minimize the settlement of NIS and mitigate their threats.

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