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Biofouling, the colonization of submerged surfaces by organisms including microorganisms, plants, algae, and animals, involves both natural and artificial environments. The serpulid worm Hydroides elegans, known as an invasive species in global port areas, creates extensive aggregations of calcareous tubes. In 2019, H. elegans was found attached to the research vessel ISABU in Korea, and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify the species and determine its genetic characteristics. Following its detection, mesocosm experiments with plastic panels (PP, PE, PET, and EPS) were undertaken to investigate its recruitment and adaptation processes within new ecosystems. During the 12-week experiment, the biomass of H. elegans increased on all plastic types, significantly contributing to the overall biomass accumulation. This invasive species has replaced the previously prevalent native species Hydroides ezoensis, achieving dominance over other taxonomic groups in biomass. These findings demonstrate the significant ecological disruptions caused by non-indigenous species introduced through maritime activities, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced preventative and monitoring strategies

Biofouling, the colonization of submerged surfaces by organisms including microorganisms, plants, algae, and animals, involves both natural and artificial environments. The serpulid worm Hydroides elegans , known as an invasive species in global port areas, creates extensive aggregations of calcareous tubes. In 2019, H. elegans was found attached to the research vessel ISABU in Korea, and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify the species and determine its genetic characteristics. Following its detection, mesocosm experiments with plastic panels (PP, PE, PET, and EPS) were undertaken to investigate its recruitment and adaptation processes within new ecosystems. During the 12-week experiment, the biomass of H. elegans increased on all plastic types, significantly contributing to the overall biomass accumulation. This invasive species has replaced the previously prevalent native species Hydroides ezoensis , achieving dominance over other taxonomic groups in biomass. These findings demonstrate the significant ecological disruptions caused by non-indigenous species introduced through maritime activities, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced preventative and monitoring strategies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recovery of degraded coral reefs is reliant upon the recruitment of coral larvae, yet the mechanisms behind coral larval settlement are not well understood, especially for non-acroporid species. Biofilms associated with reef substrates, such as coral rubble or crustose coralline algae, can induce coral larval settlement; however, the specific biochemical cues and the microorganisms that produce them remain largely unknown. Here, we assessed larval settlement responses in five non-acroporid broadcast-spawning coral species in the families Merulinidae, Lobophyllidae and Poritidae to biofilms developed in aquaria for either one or two months under light and dark treatments. Biofilms were characterised using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify the taxa associated with settlement induction and/or inhibition. Results: We show that light and biofilm age are critical factors in the development of settlement inducing biofilms, where different biofilm compositions impacted larval settlement behaviour. Further, we show that specific biofilm taxa were either positively or negatively correlated with coral settlement, indicating potential inducers or inhibitors. Although these taxa were generally specific to each coral species, we observed bacteria classified as Flavobacteriaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Rhizobiaceae and Pirellulaceae to be consistently correlated with larval settlement across multiple coral species. Conclusions: Our work identifies novel microbial groups that significantly influence coral larval settlement, which can be targeted for the discovery of settlement-inducing metabolites for implementation in reef restoration programs. Furthermore, our results reinforce that the biofilm community on coral reef substrates plays a crucial role in influencing coral larval recruitment, thereby impacting the recovery of coral reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, combined efforts by Greek and Turkish scientists produced an updated validated NIS inventory of the Aegean ecoregion, covering 120 years of records up to August 2024. Of the 342 NIS currently present in the Aegean Sea, the majority (281 species) have invaded the South Aegean, followed by the North Aegean (128 species out of 206 NIS). A total of 73 species were added to the list, while 56 were removed. Overall, unaided spread of Lessepsian immigrants from the Levantine Sea and shipping are equally responsible for NIS reported at the regional level. An increase in publications addressing NIS matches the upward trend of NIS since the mid-1990s, which continues to the present day. While unaided introductions of Lessepsian species and/or direct introductions via the Suez Canal peaked in the South Aegean during 2000–2005, they peaked in 2012–2017 in the North Aegean—a decade later. The opposite pattern was observed in ship-transferred NIS. The spatial distribution of introduction hotspots largely reflects the following phenomena/processes: unaided introduction is witnessed initially in the southeastern Aegean Sea; monitoring efforts are concentrated in vulnerable and at-risk areas; and research efforts relate to the spatial allocation of institutions and marine experts working on marine NIS along the Aegean coasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects on hard-bottom macro-zoobenthic communities of converting a mariculture plant into an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system. This study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 in the semi-enclosed Mar Grande basin of Taranto (northern Ionian Sea), on a facility located 600 m off the coastline, with a production capacity of 100 tons per year of seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and seabream (Sparus aurata). The results from seasonal sampling performed in a treatment site, where bioremediators (filter-feeding invertebrates such as sponges, polychaetes, mussels, and macroalgae) were deployed, and a control site without bioremediators were compared. Before the IMTA installation, the hard substrates under the cages were sparsely inhabited, with significant sediment coverage. By 2021, the treatment site exhibited revitalized and more diverse macro-zoobenthic communities, with species richness increasing from 83 taxa in 2018 to 104 taxa, including notable growth in sponges, annelids, mollusks, and bryozoans. In contrast, the control site showed no substantial changes in biodiversity over the same period. Biodiversity indices, including Shannon and Margalef indices, improved significantly at the treatment site, particularly during summer months, highlighting a more resilient and balanced benthic environment. Taxonomic distinctness (delta+) and multivariate analyses (PERMANOVA, PCO) confirmed significant spatial and temporal shifts in community structure at the treatment site, driven by IMTA implementation. SIMPER analysis identified key taxa contributing to these changes, which played a pivotal role in structuring the community. The emergence of filter feeders, predators, and omnivores at the treatment site suggests enhanced nutrient cycling and trophic complexity, while the decline in opportunistic species further supports improved environmental conditions. These findings demonstrate the potential of IMTA to promote recovery and sustainable mariculture practices, also offering a comprehensive understanding of its positive effects on hard-bottom benthic community dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental challenge globally, posing threats to biodiversity, marine life, and human health. Studies indicate that marine organisms, from plankton to larger fish species, and ultimately humans are ingesting microplastics, leading to physiological harm such as inflammation, digestive blockages, tissue injury, hormonal imbalance, reproductive failure and biomagnification through the food chain. Therefore, there arises an urgent need and demand for implementing effective and sustainable remediation solutions. Though, various mitigation technologies are developed, less information is available on the advantages and disadvantages of the technological advancements. The present review highlights the significant information available on the sources, types, transport of microplastics along with the analytical methods to detect the microplastic pollutions. The global perspective of microplastic pollutions with respect to Indian Marine scenario was highlighted. The recent and advanced mitigation technologies and solutions in preventing, reducing and recycling these microplastic pollutions were also addressed. This review further underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to monitor, manage and mitigate microplastic pollution, including policy interventions, public awareness campaigns, and sustainable waste management practices. Addressing this issue is essential for preserving the health of India's marine ecosystems and safeguarding the livelihoods of mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]