The Invasive Seaweed Asparagopsis Taxiformis Erodes the Primary Productivity and Biodiversity of Native Algal Forests in the Mediterranean Sea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Paolo Mancusoa ◽  
Riccardo D’Agostaro ◽  
Marco Milazzo ◽  
Fabio Badalamenti ◽  
Luigi Musco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Primary Producers ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Asparagopsis Taxiformis ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Epifaunal Assemblages

Abstract Invasive seaweeds are listed among the most relevant threats to marine ecosystems worldwide. Biodiversity hotspots, such as the Mediterranean Sea, are facing multiple invasions and are expected to be severely affected by the introduction of new non-native seaweeds in the near future. In this study, we evaluated the consequences of the shift from the native Ericaria brachycarpa to the invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis habitat at shallow rocky shores of Favignana Island (Egadi Islands, MPA, Sicily, Italy). We compared algal biomass and species composition and structure of the associated epifaunal assemblages in homogenous and mixed stands of E. brachycarpa and A. taxiformis. Results showed that the biomass of primary producers is reduced by 90% in the A. taxiformis invaded habitat compared to the E. brachycarpa native habitat. The structure of the epifaunal assemblages displayed significant variations among homogenous and mixed stands. The abundance, species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of the epifaunal assemblages decreased by 89%, 78% and 40%, respectively from homogenous stands of the native E. brachycarpa to the invasive A. taxiformis. Seaweed biomass was the structural attribute better explaining the variation of epifaunal abundance, species richness and diversity. Overall, our results suggest that the shift from E. brachycarpa to A. taxiformis habitat would drastically erode the biomass of primary producers and the associated biodiversity. We hypothesize that a complete shift from native to invasive seaweeds can ultimately lead to bottom-up effects in rocky shore habitats, with negative consequences for the ecosystem structure, functioning and the services provided.

Impoverished mobile epifaunal assemblages associated with the invasive macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis in the Mediterranean Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Navarro-Barranco ◽  
Marta Florido ◽  
Macarena Ros ◽  
Pablo González-Romero ◽  
José Manuel Guerra-García
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Asparagopsis Taxiformis ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Epifaunal Assemblages

scholarly journals Mediterranean Red Macro Algae Mats as Habitat for High Abundances of Serpulid Polychaetes

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 265
Author(s):  
Felix I. Rossbach ◽  
Edoardo Casoli ◽  
Milan Beck ◽  
Christian Wild
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Posidonia Oceanica ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

The Mediterranean Sea harbors more than 17,000 eukaryotic marine species, with several ecosystems recognized as biodiversity hotspots, such as Posidonia oceanica meadows. Recent research indicates that benthic mats formed by the fleshy red alga Phyllophora crispa are also associated with high species richness. Among key groups found in these mats are sessile polychaetes, which live as epiphytes on the red algae thalli. Knowledge of abundance, species richness, and spatial variation of polychaetes associated with these habitats is still scarce. We carried out a comparative assessment focusing on serpulid polychaetes within samples from P. crispa mats and neighboring P. oceanica meadows at six different sampling sites around Giglio Island (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). A total of 17 serpulid taxa were identified. The abundance of serpulids (5665 individuals m−2 of P. crispa mat) were similar to neighboring P. oceanica meadows (2304 individuals m−2 leaves and 5890 individuals m−2 shoots). The number of serpulid taxa was significantly higher in P. crispa mats (average 6.63 ± 1.32 taxa) compared to P. oceanica beds (average 1.56 ± 0.63 and 1.84 ± 1.04 taxa in leaves and shoots, respectively). Within habitat type, there were no significant differences in species richness between sites. The most abundant species found was Josephella marenzelleri (61% of individuals), while Vermiliopsis spp. and Bathyvermilia sp. were exclusively found in P. crispa samples. Our results highlight that P. crispa mats host an exceptional diversity and that these habitats should be included in conservation strategies. Further research should focus on the significance of other important taxonomic groups within these mats and evaluate the distribution of P. crispa in different regions of the Mediterranean Sea.

A blue-pigmented hasleoid diatom, Haslea sp., from the Adriatic Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
Katarzyna A. Palińska ◽  
Waldemar Surosz
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
New Species ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
18S Rrna ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Blue Pigment ◽  
Rrna Sequence ◽  
First Report ◽  
Haslea Ostrearia ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract We present the first report and description of the pinnate diatom Haslea sp. from the northeastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia, producing a blue pigment. This organism is very similar to the well-known Haslea ostrearia, the first described “blue” diatom producing marennine, i.e. the pigment involved in the greening of oysters, and recently described H. provincialis. However, the Croatian diatom slightly differs from other Haslea species in its morphology and 18S rRNA sequence. The discovery of Haslea sp. from Croatia confirmed the possible existence of more species among the representatives of blue Haslea species, as previously assumed. The discovery of several genetically distinct populations of Haslea ostrearia, new species H. karadagensis, H. provincialis and Haslea sp. from Croatia, suggests that species richness in the group of “blue” diatoms is probably underestimated and still more new blue diatoms remain undiscovered. This also raises questions about previously published reports and observations of Haslea distribution in the Mediterranean Sea whether these organisms really belong to H. ostrearia.

Species and Generic Gamma-Scale Diversity in Shallow-Water Marine Amphipoda with Particular Reference to the Mediterranean

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Myers
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Late Miocene ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Amphipod Species ◽  
Species Area ◽  
Species Area Relationship ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Shallow Seas

Major hotspots of amphipod species richness and of species and generic endemicity can be recognized in shallow seas. Recognition of ‘hotspots’ for amphipods must take account of the species-area relationship but not of latitude. The richness and endemicity of amphipods in the Mediterranean Sea is shown to be high when compared with other shallow seas This indicates a long in situ evolutionary history and is therefore not compatible with the hypothesis that the Mediterranean fauna was extirpated in the late Miocene.

scholarly journals Impacts of climate change and species distribution modelling: Future scenarios to invasive alien lionfish distribution in the Mediterranean Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cemal Turan
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Species Distribution Modelling ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Distribution Modelling ◽  
Pterois Miles ◽  
The Mediterranean

The progress on species distribution modelling (SDM) methods has brought new insights into the field of biological invasion management. In particular, statistical niche modelling, for spatio-temporal predictions of marine species’ distribution, is an increasingly used tool, supporting efficient decision-making for prevention and conservation. Earth's climate has changed significantly in the last century and the number of alien species penetrating from Indo-Pacific Ocean and South part of the Atlantic in the Mediterranean will continue to increase over the next decades. The purpose of the present study was to predict the potential geographic distribution and expansion of invasive alien lionfish (Pterois miles and Pterois volitans) with ecological niche modelling along the Mediterranean Sea. Temporal and spatial occurrence data from the first occurrence of a species for each country with coast along the Mediterranean Sea, was used to develop robust predictions of species richness, since the capacity to predict spatial patterns of species richness remains largely unassessed in this region. Marine climatic data layers were collected from the Bio-ORACLE and MARSPEC global databases. Different statistical models were evaluated to establish if these could provide useful predictions of absolute and relative lionfish distribution and expansion. The findings are an important step towards validating the use of SDM for invasive alien lionfish in the Mediterranean Sea.

scholarly journals Amphipods from tidal channels of the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABIR FERSI ◽  
JEAN CLAUDE DAUVIN ◽  
JEAN PHILIPPE PEZY ◽  
LASSAD NEIFAR
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Tidal Channels ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Gulf Of Gabes ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Gulf Of Gabès ◽  
The Mediterranean

The spatial and temporal species richness, abundance and assemblage structure of amphipods from four tidal channel of the Gulf of Gabès were studied at 26 stations and during four seasons from March 2016 to January 2017. This led to the identification of 4,278 individuals, 45 species and 21 families. The four mostly diversified families are the Ampeliscidae (6 species), the Caprellidae (5) and the Aoridae and Maeridae (4 species both), while three families account for ~ 75% of the individuals: Aoridae (45.5 %), Corophiidae (20.5%) and Dexaminidae (7.2%). The species richness and abundance were higher in winter than at other seasons. The fauna is dominated by a small number of species characteristic of areas with detritus accumulation and seagrass meadows, including Microdeutopus anomalus, Monocorophium acherusicum, Dexamine spinosa, Microdeutopus gryllotalpa, Cymadusa filosa and Elasmopus rapax, which are commonly recorded in lagoons and coastal shallow waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The amphipod structure is linked to the location of tidal channels in the Gulf of Gabès. Abundances are low in the Kerkennah channel compared with other channels, especially the Maltine channel with high winter accumulation of organic matter. There are also low abundances in high-energy hydrodynamic zones with gravel sediment; conversely, the presence of macrophytes, mainly in the seagrass meadows, increases amphipod diversity. As a result of this study, five new species can be added to the inventory of the Tunisian marine amphipod fauna, including a non-native species for the Mediterranean Sea, Paracaprella pusilla.

scholarly journals The invasive species Asparagopsis taxiformis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) on Andalusian coast (Southern Spain): Reproductive stages, new records and invaded communities

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Altamirano ◽  
Antonio Román Muñoz ◽  
Julio De la Rosa ◽  
Agustín Barrajón-Mínguez ◽  
Agustín Barrajón-Domenech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
New Record ◽  
New Records ◽  
First Record ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Strait Of Gibraltar ◽  
Asparagopsis Taxiformis ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
Exotic Invasive

ABSTRACT. The invasive species Asparagopsis taxiformis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) on Andalusian coasts (Southern Spain): reproductive stages, new records and invaded communities. The present study provides new records from Andalusian coasts of the exotic invasive seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan. These records demonstrate that A. taxiformis has rapidly and widely expanded its distribution range in this region, from Almería to Cádiz (Strait of Gibraltar). The latter locality may represent the western geographical limit of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. Spermatangial heads and cystocarps were observed in the collected gametophytes. Additionally, we report the first record of the tetrasporophytic stage, Falkenbergia hillebrandii (Bornet) Falkenberg from the Andalusian coast, although tetraspores were not encountered in these samples. Consequently, information on the affected communities and arguments for considering A. taxiformis as an invasive species in the Andalusian coast are provided.Key words. Asparagopsis taxiformis, Bonnemaisoniales, distribution, Falkenbergia hillebrandii, invasive species, Mediterranean Sea, new record, reproductive stage, RhodophytaRESUMEN. La especie invasora Asparagopsis taxiformis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) en las costas andaluzas (Sur de España): fases reproductivas, nuevas citas y comunidades invadidas. El  presente trabajo aporta nuevas citas para las costas andaluzas de la especie exótica invasora de macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan. Estas citas muestran que la especie ha aumentado ampliamente su área de distribución de manera rápida en esta región, desde Almería hasta Cádiz (Estrecho de Gibraltar). Esta última localidad representaría el límite occidental de la especie en el mar Mediterráneo. En las muestras recogidas de gametofitos se pudieron observar ramas espermatangiales y cistocarpos. Se aporta la primera cita del estadio tetrasporofítico, Falkenbergia hillebrandii (Bornet) Falkenberg en las costas andaluzas, aunque no se observaron tetrásporas en estas muestras. Se informa sobre las comunidades afectadas y se dan argumentos para considerar a A. taxiformis invasora en las costas andaluzas.Palabras clave. Asparagopsis taxiformis, Bonnemaisoniales, distribución, especie invasora, estadio reproductivo, Falkenbergia hillebrandii, mar Mediterráneo, nueva cita, Rhodophyta

Hydrozoan species richness in the Mediterranean Sea: past and present

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 41-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Gravili ◽  
Cristina Gioia Di Camillo ◽  
Stefano Piraino ◽  
Ferdinando Boero
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
The Mediterranean
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document