Temperature is not a limiting factor for the expansion of Halophila stipulacea throughout the Mediterranean Sea

Exotic species often face new environmental conditions that are different from those that they are adapted to. The tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea is a Lessepsian migrant that colonized the Mediterranean Sea around 100 years ago, where at present the minimum seawater temperature is cooler than in its native range in the Red Sea. Here, we tested if the temperature range in which H. stipulacea can exist is conserved within the species or if the exotic populations have shifted their thermal breadth and optimum due to the cooler conditions in the Mediterranean. We did so by comparing the thermal niche (e.g. optimal temperatures, and upper and lower thermal limits) of native (Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea) and exotic (Greece and Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea) populations of H. stipulacea . We exposed plants to 12 temperature treatments ranging from 8 to 40°C for 7 days. At the end of the incubation period, we measured survival, rhizome elongation, shoot recruitment, net population growth and metabolic rates. Upper and lower lethal thermal thresholds (indicated by 50% plant mortality) were conserved across populations, but minimum and optimal temperatures for growth and oxygen production were lower for Mediterranean populations than for the Red Sea one. The displacement of the thermal niche of exotic populations towards the colder Mediterranean Sea regime could have occurred within 175 clonal generations.

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In Silico Analysis of Bioactive Peptides in Invasive Sea Grass Halophila stipulacea

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells8060557 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 557 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cagin Kandemir-Cavas ◽

Horacio Pérez-Sanchez ◽

Nazli Mert-Ozupek ◽

Levent Cavas

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

In Silico ◽

Bioactive Peptides ◽

In Silico Analysis ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Halophila Stipulacea ◽

Sea Grass ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Reported Data

Halophila stipulacea is a well-known invasive marine sea grass in the Mediterranean Sea. Having been introduced into the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Channel, it is considered a Lessepsian migrant. Although, unlike other invasive marine seaweeds, it has not demonstrated serious negative impacts on indigenous species, it does have remarkable invasive properties. The present in-silico study reveals the biotechnological features of H. stipulacea by showing bioactive peptides from its rubisc/o protein. These are features such as antioxidant and hypolipideamic activities, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitions. The reported data open up new applications for such bioactive peptides in the field of pharmacy, medicine and also the food industry.

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Enigmatic Phytomyxid Parasite of the Alien Seagrass Halophila stipulacea: New Insights into Its Ecology, Phylogeny, and Distribution in the Mediterranean Sea

Microbial Ecology ◽

10.1007/s00248-019-01450-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 631-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Viktorie Kolátková ◽

Ivan Čepička ◽

Gaetano Maurizio Gargiulo ◽

Martin Vohník

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Halophila Stipulacea ◽

The Mediterranean

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Differences in flowering sex ratios between native and invasive populations of the seagrass Halophila stipulacea

Botanica Marina ◽

10.1515/bot-2018-0015 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 337-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hung Manh Nguyen ◽

Periklis Kleitou ◽

Demetris Kletou ◽

Yuval Sapir ◽

Gidon Winters

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Red Sea ◽

Sex Ratios ◽

Dioecious Plants ◽

Halophila Stipulacea ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Northern Red Sea ◽

Rare Group

Abstract Deviations from the 1:1 sex ratio are common in dioecious plants. The tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea is among an extremely rare group of dioecious plants that are widely recognized as female-biased. Here we report on differences in sex ratios between native (Eilat, northern Red Sea) and invasive (Cyprus, Mediterranean Sea) populations. While H. stipulacea populations were female-biased in their native region, invasive populations were either male- or female-biased. The existence of both sexes simultaneously in the Mediterranean invasive populations might help its ongoing expansion in the Mediterranean, thereby threatening local seagrasses species.

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Updating the occurrences of Pterois miles in the Mediterranean Sea, with considerations on thermal boundaries and future range expansion

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.21845 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 62

Author(s):

CHARALAMPOS DIMITRIADIS ◽

MARIKA GALANIDI ◽

ARGYRO ZENETOS ◽

MARIA CORSINI-FOKA ◽

IOANNIS GIOVOS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Range Expansion ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

Species Distribution Modelling ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Pterois Miles ◽

Levantine Sea ◽

The Mediterranean

Here we present an update of the Mediterranean distribution of the lionfish Pterois miles, based on a comprehensive list of geo-referenced occurrences up to October 2019. New data were provided by multiple reporting tools and citizen science initiatives. Our findings suggest that well established populations of P. miles exist in the Levantine Sea, in the southern and central Aegean Sea, as well as in the Greek Ionian Sea, whilst so far, only a few individuals were reported from Tunisia and southern Sicily (Italy). We also argue about the future expansion of this invasive species in the Mediterranean region and about the role of climate change by projecting the limits of winter isotherms under different climate change scenarios. Under the assumption that the mean winter sea surface temperature is the main limiting factor of the range expansion of the species (i.e. 15.3oC winter isotherm), P. miles could substantially expand in the Mediterranean Sea, except the coolest northernmost regions, under future climatic scenarios. These results were discussed in comparison to published outcomes of species distribution modelling.

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Seagrass ( Halophila stipulacea ) invasion enhances carbon sequestration in the Mediterranean Sea

Global Change Biology ◽

10.1111/gcb.15589 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marlene Wesselmann ◽

Nathan R. Geraldi ◽

Carlos M. Duarte ◽

Jordi Garcia‐Orellana ◽

Rubén Díaz‐Rúa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Halophila Stipulacea ◽

The Mediterranean

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Review of alien marine macrophytes in Tunisia

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.1366 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 109 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Y. R. SGHAIER ◽

R. ZAKHAMA-SRAIEB ◽

S. MOUELHI ◽

M. VAZQUEZ ◽

C. VALLE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Codium Fragile ◽

Halophila Stipulacea ◽

Marine Macrophytes ◽

The Status ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

First Time ◽

Eleven Species ◽

Asparagopsis Armata

In the present study, the list of alien marine macrophytes introduced into Tunisia was updated in the light of available data and new observations. A total of 27 alien marine macrophytes have been recorded so far from Tunisia: 18 Rhodophyta, 3 Ochrophyta, 5 Chlorophyta and 1 Magnoliophyta. For each species, the locality (-ies), the year (or) period and the source of the first observation in Tunisia are given. The distribution and the status (casual, cryptogenic, established or questionable) of species in Tunisia were evaluated and, where appropriate, discussed. Among them, Hypnea cornuta is reported for the first time from Tunisia. Fourteen alien marine macrophytes are established, whereas seven cryptogenic and two casual species require further investigation. Eleven species are considered as invasive or potentially invasive in the Mediterranean Sea: Acrothamnion preissii, Asparagopsis armata, A. taxiformis Indo-Pacific lineage, Hypnea cornuta, Lophocladia lallemandii, Womersleyella setacea, Caulerpa chemnitzia, C. cylindracea, C. taxifolia, Codium fragile subsp. fragile and Halophila stipulacea. Finally, the case of four questionable species is also discussed.

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Elysia subornata (Mollusca) a potential control agent of the alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315401004143 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 81 (3) ◽

pp. 497-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Thierry Thibaut ◽

Alexandre Meinesz ◽

Philippe Amade ◽

Stéphane Charrier ◽

Kate De Angelis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Biological Control Agent ◽

Control Agent ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Caulerpa Taxifolia ◽

Potential Control ◽

Winter Temperatures ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Invasive Alga ◽

Growth And Reproduction

The biological characteristics of Elysia subornata (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) were studied in an aquarium to assess its risks and chance of success as a potential biological control agent against the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea. This species feeds only on Caulerpa and has benthic larval development. Dietary switching is possible on some Mediterranean Caulerpales but feeding on other algae and sea grass is unlikely. The main limiting factor for the success of studied Caribbean strain of E. subornata are the Mediterranean winter temperatures which are lethal for that species. For the five months of the year which are favourable for feeding, growth and reproduction, the tested strain of E. subornata cannot reach a population density capable of controlling C. taxifolia.

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