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11. Unpublished Mediterranean and Black Sea records of marine alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species

Author

Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Ragkousis, Michail, Zenetos, Argyro, Ben Souissi, Jamila, Hoffman, Razy, Ghanem, Raouia, Taşkın, Ergün, Muresan, Mihaela, Karpova, Evgeniia, Slynko, Elena, Dağlı, Ertan, Fortič, Ana, Surugiu, Victor, Mačić, Vesna, Trkov, Domen, Rjiba Bahri, Wafa, Tsiamis, Konstantinos, Ramos-Esplá, Alfonso A., Petović, Slavica, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Sconfietti, Renato, Ammar, Izdihar, Alo, Alaa, Edelist, Dori, Begun, Tatiana, Teaca, Adrian, Tari, Gokhan, Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih, Karachle, Paraskevi K., Dogrammatzi, Aikaterini, Apostolopoulos, Giorgos A., Crocetta, Fabio, Kytinou, Eleni, Digenis, Markos, Skouradakis, Grigorios, Tomas, Fiona, Bariche, Michel, Kaminas, Alexandros, Konida, Kassiani, Deidun, Alan, Marrone, Alessio, Fraschetti, Simonetta, Mihneva, Vesselina, Bianchi, Carlo Nike, Morri, Carla, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Lipej, Lovrenc, Sini, Maria, Mangialajo, Luisa, Zotou, Maria, Skolka, Marius, Azzurro, Ernesto, Vella, Adriana, Dailianis, Thanos, Grigoriou, Panos, Jimenez, Carlos, Tsirintanis, Konstantinos, Oikonomidis, Georgios, Mancini, Emanuele, Papadakis, Orestis, Martino, Vincenzo Di, Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos, Ben Amor, Mohamed Mourad, Vernadou, Emmanouela, Arda, Yaprak, Minasidis, Vasileios, Azzola, Annalisa, Hadjioannou, Louis, Montefalcone, Monica, Baldacchino, Yacopo, Stancanelli, Bessy, Bonifazi, Andrea, Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna, Smeraldo, Sonia, Evans, Julian, Kondylatos, Gerasimos, Falautano, Manuela, Castriota, Luca, Lamprou, Aggelos, Rizgalla, Jamila, Mavrič, Borut, Papadimitriou, Evangelos, Kersting, Diego K., Schembri, Patrick J., Khamassi, Faten, Nikolaou, Athanasios, Ballesteros, Enric, Dimitriadis, Charalampos, García, María, Anastasiadis, Athanasios, Kalogirou, Stefanos, Nalmpanti, Melina, Altamirano, María, Grech, Daniele, Mavrouleas, Dimitrios, Vella, Noel, Darmanin, Sandra Agius, Dragičević, Branko, Poursanidis, Dimitris, Tsatiris, Alexandros, Corsini-Foka, Maria, Orlando-Bonaca, Martina, Insacco, Gianni, Tsalapatis, Alexandros, Scannella, Danilo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Verdura, Jana, Vitale, Sergio, Valsamidis, MichailAggelos, Bazairi, Hocein, Mannino, Anna Maria, Virgili, Riccardo, Coccia, Fabio Collepardo, El Zrelli, Radhouan, Nikolidakis, Savvas, Rabaoui, Lotfi Jilani, Yapıcı, Sercan, Zaouali, Jeanne, Zava, Bruno, Agrotis, Neophytos, Bilecenoglu, Murat, Çinar, Melih Ertan, Moraitis, Manos L., Albano, Paolo G., Kaddouri, Nassir, Kosma, Ioanna, Falsone, Fabio, Fossati, Valentina, Geraci, Michele Luca, Zamuda, Leon Lojze, Mancuso, Francesco Paolo, Petrou, Antonis, Resaikos, Vasilis, Aydın, İlker, Batjakas, Ioannis E., Bos, Arthur R., El Ouamari, Najib, Giallongo, Giovanni, Kampouris, Thodoros E., Ounifi-Ben Amor, Khadija, Doğan, Alper, Dulčić, Jakov, Şükran Okudan, Emine, Rilov, Gil, Rosso, Antonietta, Royo, Laura, Selfati, Mohamed, Gaglioti, Martina, Giakoumi, Sylvaine, Kousteni, Vasiliki, Micu, Dragoș, Nicoară, Mircea, Orfanidis, Sotiris, Papatheodoulou, Magdalene, Tempesti, Jonathan, Triantaphyllou, Maria, Tsourou, Theodora, Yalgın, Ferhat, Baltag, Emanuel, Cerim, Hasan, Filiz, Halit, Georgiadis, Constantinos G., Papadamakis, Paschalis, Rammou, Dimitra Lida, Samargiu, Manuela Diana, Sciuto, Francesco, Sinopoli, Mauro, Türker, Ali, Chiarore, Antonia, Tamburello, Laura, Karray, Sahar, Hassen, Bilel, Katsanevakis, Stelios, Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Ragkousis, Michail, Zenetos, Argyro, Ben Souissi, Jamila, Hoffman, Razy, Ghanem, Raouia, Taşkın, Ergün, Muresan, Mihaela, Karpova, Evgeniia, Slynko, Elena, Dağlı, Ertan, Fortič, Ana, Surugiu, Victor, Mačić, Vesna, Trkov, Domen, Rjiba Bahri, Wafa, Tsiamis, Konstantinos, Ramos-Esplá, Alfonso A., Petović, Slavica, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Sconfietti, Renato, Ammar, Izdihar, Alo, Alaa, Edelist, Dori, Begun, Tatiana, Teaca, Adrian, Tari, Gokhan, Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih, Karachle, Paraskevi K., Dogrammatzi, Aikaterini, Apostolopoulos, Giorgos A., Crocetta, Fabio, Kytinou, Eleni, Digenis, Markos, Skouradakis, Grigorios, Tomas, Fiona, Bariche, Michel, Kaminas, Alexandros, Konida, Kassiani, Deidun, Alan, Marrone, Alessio, Fraschetti, Simonetta, Mihneva, Vesselina, Bianchi, Carlo Nike, Morri, Carla, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Lipej, Lovrenc, Sini, Maria, Mangialajo, Luisa, Zotou, Maria, Skolka, Marius, Azzurro, Ernesto, Vella, Adriana, Dailianis, Thanos, Grigoriou, Panos, Jimenez, Carlos, Tsirintanis, Konstantinos, Oikonomidis, Georgios, Mancini, Emanuele, Papadakis, Orestis, Martino, Vincenzo Di, Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos, Ben Amor, Mohamed Mourad, Vernadou, Emmanouela, Arda, Yaprak, Minasidis, Vasileios, Azzola, Annalisa, Hadjioannou, Louis, Montefalcone, Monica, Baldacchino, Yacopo, Stancanelli, Bessy, Bonifazi, Andrea, Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna, Smeraldo, Sonia, Evans, Julian, Kondylatos, Gerasimos, Falautano, Manuela, Castriota, Luca, Lamprou, Aggelos, Rizgalla, Jamila, Mavrič, Borut, Papadimitriou, Evangelos, Kersting, Diego K., Schembri, Patrick J., Khamassi, Faten, Nikolaou, Athanasios, Ballesteros, Enric, Dimitriadis, Charalampos, García, María, Anastasiadis, Athanasios, Kalogirou, Stefanos, Nalmpanti, Melina, Altamirano, María, Grech, Daniele, Mavrouleas, Dimitrios, Vella, Noel, Darmanin, Sandra Agius, Dragičević, Branko, Poursanidis, Dimitris, Tsatiris, Alexandros, Corsini-Foka, Maria, Orlando-Bonaca, Martina, Insacco, Gianni, Tsalapatis, Alexandros, Scannella, Danilo, Tiralongo, Francesco, Verdura, Jana, Vitale, Sergio, Valsamidis, MichailAggelos, Bazairi, Hocein, Mannino, Anna Maria, Virgili, Riccardo, Coccia, Fabio Collepardo, El Zrelli, Radhouan, Nikolidakis, Savvas, Rabaoui, Lotfi Jilani, Yapıcı, Sercan, Zaouali, Jeanne, Zava, Bruno, Agrotis, Neophytos, Bilecenoglu, Murat, Çinar, Melih Ertan, Moraitis, Manos L., Albano, Paolo G., Kaddouri, Nassir, Kosma, Ioanna, Falsone, Fabio, Fossati, Valentina, Geraci, Michele Luca, Zamuda, Leon Lojze, Mancuso, Francesco Paolo, Petrou, Antonis, Resaikos, Vasilis, Aydın, İlker, Batjakas, Ioannis E., Bos, Arthur R., El Ouamari, Najib, Giallongo, Giovanni, Kampouris, Thodoros E., Ounifi-Ben Amor, Khadija, Doğan, Alper, Dulčić, Jakov, Şükran Okudan, Emine, Rilov, Gil, Rosso, Antonietta, Royo, Laura, Selfati, Mohamed, Gaglioti, Martina, Giakoumi, Sylvaine, Kousteni, Vasiliki, Micu, Dragoș, Nicoară, Mircea, Orfanidis, Sotiris, Papatheodoulou, Magdalene, Tempesti, Jonathan, Triantaphyllou, Maria, Tsourou, Theodora, Yalgın, Ferhat, Baltag, Emanuel, Cerim, Hasan, Filiz, Halit, Georgiadis, Constantinos G., Papadamakis, Paschalis, Rammou, Dimitra Lida, Samargiu, Manuela Diana, Sciuto, Francesco, Sinopoli, Mauro, Türker, Ali, Chiarore, Antonia, Tamburello, Laura, Karray, Sahar, Hassen, Bilel, and Katsanevakis, Stelios

Abstract

To enrich spatio-temporal information on the distribution of alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, a collective effort by 173 marine scientists was made to provide unpublished records and make them open access to the scientific community. Through this effort, we collected and harmonized a dataset of 12,649 records. It includes 247 taxa, of which 217 are Animalia, 25 Plantae and 5 Chromista, from 23 countries surrounding the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Chordata was the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Annelida. In terms of species records, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Saurida lessepsianus, Pterois miles, Upeneus moluccensis, Charybdis (Archias) longicollis, and Caulerpa cylindracea were the most numerous. The temporal distribution of the records ranges from 1973 to 2022, with 44% of the records in 2020–2021. Lethrinus borbonicus is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, while Pomatoschistus quagga, Caulerpa cylindracea, Grateloupia turuturu, and Misophria pallida are first records for the Black Sea; Kapraunia schneideri is recorded for the second time in the Mediterranean and for the first time in Israel; Prionospio depauperata and Pseudonereis anomala are reported for the first time from the Sea of Marmara. Many first country records are also included, namely: Amathia verticillata (Montenegro), Ampithoe valida (Italy), Antithamnion amphigeneum (Greece), Clavelina oblonga (Tunisia and Slovenia), Dendostrea cf. folium (Syria), Epinephelus fasciatus (Tunisia), Ganonema farinosum (Montenegro), Macrorhynchia philippina (Tunisia), Marenzelleria neglecta (Romania), Paratapes textilis (Tunisia), and Botrylloides diegensis (Tunisia).

Published
2023

12. Quick spreading of the exotic amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934): another small stowaway overlooked?

Author

Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Guerra-García, José Manuel, Revanales, Triana, Saenz-Arias, Pablo, Navarro-Barranco, Carlos, Ruiz-Velasco, Sofía, Pastor-Montero, María, Sempere-Valverde, Juan, Chebaane, Sahar, Vélez-Ruiz, Alberto, Martínez-Laiz, Gemma, Santos-Simón, Mar, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Nour, Ola Mohamed, Gouillieux, Benoit, Hosie, Andrew Mark, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Carvalho, Susana, Balistreri, Paolo, Sirchia, Benedetto, Ruvolo, Vincenzo, Mancini, Emanuele, Bonifazi, Andrea, Tempesti, Jonathan, Tiralongo, Francesco, Ignoto, Sara, Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria, Vázquez-Luis, Maite, Cabezas, María del Pilar, Ros, Macarena, Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Guerra-García, José Manuel, Revanales, Triana, Saenz-Arias, Pablo, Navarro-Barranco, Carlos, Ruiz-Velasco, Sofía, Pastor-Montero, María, Sempere-Valverde, Juan, Chebaane, Sahar, Vélez-Ruiz, Alberto, Martínez-Laiz, Gemma, Santos-Simón, Mar, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Nour, Ola Mohamed, Gouillieux, Benoit, Hosie, Andrew Mark, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Carvalho, Susana, Balistreri, Paolo, Sirchia, Benedetto, Ruvolo, Vincenzo, Mancini, Emanuele, Bonifazi, Andrea, Tempesti, Jonathan, Tiralongo, Francesco, Ignoto, Sara, Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria, Vázquez-Luis, Maite, Cabezas, María del Pilar, and Ros, Macarena

Abstract

Studies of non-indigenous species (NIS) often tend to focus on medium and large-sized taxa with potential for remarkable ecological and/or economic impact, whereas the early detection of small invertebrates is often delayed due to taxonomic challenge, lack of consistent, standardised monitoring efforts and limited funding. This study represents the first records of the marine amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934) in Morocco, Tunisia, Corsica (France), Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and New Caledonia (France). Furthermore, it reports an expansion of its known distribution in Portugal (earliest and northernmost record for the country and first record for Macaronesia), Spain (earliest record for Atlantic and Mediterranean European waters), and Australia (first record for Indian Ocean). Recreational boating and commercial shipping, mainly through hull fouling and secondarily ballast waters, are proposed as vectors for introduction and secondary spread of L. baconi. The following traits, analysed during the present study, could contribute to its invasive potential: (i) quick and extensive spread of the species worldwide, (ii) high densities in marinas, harbours, hull fouling and other artificial habitats, including aquaculture facilities and floating debris, (iii) high ability for short-term colonisation of empty artificial niches, (iv) diet based on detritus suggesting an opportunistic feeding behaviour, and (v) population survival during seasonal fluctuations in different regions. Taxonomic expertise and scientific collaboration, based on multidisciplinary networks of experts, are crucial for the early detection, distribution updates, and risk assessment of small and overlooked stowaways in marine environments.

Published
2023

13. Unpublished Mediterranean and Black Sea records of marine alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species

Author

Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, European Commission, Ministry of Development and Investments (Greece), Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Govern de les Illes Balears, Fundación Biodiversidad, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (España), Università degli Studi di Catania, Generalitat de Catalunya, L-Università ta' Malta, Ministry of Education and Research (Romania), University of Bucharest, Slovenian Research Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (Slovenia), Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of the Aegean, American University of Beirut, CSIC - Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Junta de Andalucía, Université Côte d'Azur, Ragkousis, Michail, Zenetos, Argyro, Souissi, Jamila Ben, Hoffman, Razy, Ghanem, Raouia, Taşkın, Ergün, Muresan, Mihaela, Karpova, Evgeniia, Slynko, Elena, Dağlı, Ertan, Fortič, Ana, Surugiu, Victor, Mačić, Vesna, Trkov, Domen, Rjiba-Bahri, Wafa, Tsiamis, Konstantinos, Ramos-Esplá, Alfonso A., Petović, Slavica, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Sconfietti, Renato, Ammar, Izdihar, Alo, Alaa, Edelist, Dori, Begun, Tatiana, Teaca, Adrian, Tari, Gokhan, Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih, Karachle, Paraskevi K., Dogrammatzi, Aikaterini, Apostolopoulos, Giorgos A., Crocetta, Fabio, Kytinou, Eleni, Digenis, Markos, Skouradakis, Grigorios, Tomàs, Fiona, Bariche, Michel, Kaminas, Alexandros, Konida, Kassiani, Deidun, Alan, Marrone, Alessio, Fraschetti, Simonetta, Mihneva, Vesselina, Bianchi, Carlo Nike, Morri, Carla, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Lipej, Lovrenc, Sini, Maria, Mangialajo, Luisa, Zotou, Maria, Skolka, Marius, Azzurro, Ernesto, Vella, Adriana, Dailianis, Thanos, Grigoriou, Panos, Jiménez, Carlos, Tsirintanis, Konstantinos, Oikonomidis, Georgios, Mancini, Emanuele, Papadakis, Orestis, Di Martino, Vincenzo, Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos, Ben Amor, Mohamed Mourad, Vernadou, Emmanouela, Arda, Yaprak, Minasidis, Vasileios, Azzola, Annalisa, Hadjioannou, Louis, Montefalcone, Monica, Baldacchino, Yacopo, Stancanelli, Bessy, Bonifazi, Andrea, Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna, Smeraldo, Sonia, Evans, Julian, Kondylatos, Gerasimos, Falautano, Manuela, Castriota, Luca, Lamprou, Aggelos, Rizgalla, Jamila, Mavrič, Borut, Papadimitriou, Evangelos, Kersting, D. K., Schembri, Patrick J., Khamassi, Faten, Nikolaou, Athanasios, Ballesteros, Enric, Dimitriadis, Charalampos, García, María, Anastasiadis, Athanasios, Kalogirou, Stefanos, Nalmpanti, Melina, Altamirano, María, Grech, Daniele, Mavrouleas, Dimitrios, Vella, Noel, Darmanin, Sandra Agius, Dragičević, Branko, Poursanidis, Dimitris, Tsatiris, Alexandros, Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, European Commission, Ministry of Development and Investments (Greece), Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Govern de les Illes Balears, Fundación Biodiversidad, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (España), Università degli Studi di Catania, Generalitat de Catalunya, L-Università ta' Malta, Ministry of Education and Research (Romania), University of Bucharest, Slovenian Research Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (Slovenia), Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of the Aegean, American University of Beirut, CSIC - Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Junta de Andalucía, Université Côte d'Azur, Ragkousis, Michail, Zenetos, Argyro, Souissi, Jamila Ben, Hoffman, Razy, Ghanem, Raouia, Taşkın, Ergün, Muresan, Mihaela, Karpova, Evgeniia, Slynko, Elena, Dağlı, Ertan, Fortič, Ana, Surugiu, Victor, Mačić, Vesna, Trkov, Domen, Rjiba-Bahri, Wafa, Tsiamis, Konstantinos, Ramos-Esplá, Alfonso A., Petović, Slavica, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Sconfietti, Renato, Ammar, Izdihar, Alo, Alaa, Edelist, Dori, Begun, Tatiana, Teaca, Adrian, Tari, Gokhan, Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih, Karachle, Paraskevi K., Dogrammatzi, Aikaterini, Apostolopoulos, Giorgos A., Crocetta, Fabio, Kytinou, Eleni, Digenis, Markos, Skouradakis, Grigorios, Tomàs, Fiona, Bariche, Michel, Kaminas, Alexandros, Konida, Kassiani, Deidun, Alan, Marrone, Alessio, Fraschetti, Simonetta, Mihneva, Vesselina, Bianchi, Carlo Nike, Morri, Carla, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Lipej, Lovrenc, Sini, Maria, Mangialajo, Luisa, Zotou, Maria, Skolka, Marius, Azzurro, Ernesto, Vella, Adriana, Dailianis, Thanos, Grigoriou, Panos, Jiménez, Carlos, Tsirintanis, Konstantinos, Oikonomidis, Georgios, Mancini, Emanuele, Papadakis, Orestis, Di Martino, Vincenzo, Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos, Ben Amor, Mohamed Mourad, Vernadou, Emmanouela, Arda, Yaprak, Minasidis, Vasileios, Azzola, Annalisa, Hadjioannou, Louis, Montefalcone, Monica, Baldacchino, Yacopo, Stancanelli, Bessy, Bonifazi, Andrea, Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna, Smeraldo, Sonia, Evans, Julian, Kondylatos, Gerasimos, Falautano, Manuela, Castriota, Luca, Lamprou, Aggelos, Rizgalla, Jamila, Mavrič, Borut, Papadimitriou, Evangelos, Kersting, D. K., Schembri, Patrick J., Khamassi, Faten, Nikolaou, Athanasios, Ballesteros, Enric, Dimitriadis, Charalampos, García, María, Anastasiadis, Athanasios, Kalogirou, Stefanos, Nalmpanti, Melina, Altamirano, María, Grech, Daniele, Mavrouleas, Dimitrios, Vella, Noel, Darmanin, Sandra Agius, Dragičević, Branko, Poursanidis, Dimitris, and Tsatiris, Alexandros

Abstract

To enrich spatio-temporal information on the distribution of alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, a collective effort by 173 marine scientists was made to provide unpublished records and make them open access to the scientific community. Through this effort, we collected and harmonized a dataset of 12,649 records. It includes 247 taxa, of which 217 are Animalia, 25 Plantae and 5 Chromista, from 23 countries surrounding the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Chordata was the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Annelida. In terms of species records, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Saurida lessepsianus, Pterois miles, Upeneus moluccensis, Charybdis (Archias) longicollis, and Caulerpa cylindracea were the most numerous. The temporal distribution of the records ranges from 1973 to 2022, with 44% of the records in 2020–2021. Lethrinus borbonicus is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, while Pomatoschistus quagga, Caulerpa cylindracea, Grateloupia turuturu, and Misophria pallida are first records for the Black Sea; Kapraunia schneideri is recorded for the second time in the Mediterranean and for the first time in Israel; Prionospio depauperata and Pseudonereis anomala are reported for the first time from the Sea of Marmara. Many first country records are also included, namely: Amathia verticillata (Montenegro), Ampithoe valida (Italy), Antithamnion amphigeneum (Greece), Clavelina oblonga (Tunisia and Slovenia), Dendostrea cf. folium (Syria), Epinephelus fasciatus (Tunisia), Ganonema farinosum (Montenegro), Macrorhynchia philippina (Tunisia), Marenzelleria neglecta (Romania), Paratapes textilis (Tunisia), and Botrylloides diegensis (Tunisia).

Published
2023

14. Quick spreading of the exotic amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934): another small stowaway overlooked?

Author

Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Guerra-García, José Manuel, Revanales, Triana, Saenz-Arias, Pablo, Navarro-Barranco, Carlos, Ruiz-Velasco, Sofía, Pastor-Montero, María, Sempere-Valverde, Juan, Chebaane, Sahar, Vélez-Ruiz, Alberto, Martínez-Laiz, Gemma, Santos-Simón, Mar, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Nour, Ola Mohamed, Gouillieux, Benoit, Hosie, Andrew Mark, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Carvalho, Susana, Balistreri, Paolo, Sirchia, Benedetto, Ruvolo, Vincenzo, Mancini, Emanuele, Bonifazi, Andrea, Tempesti, Jonathan, Tiralongo, Francesco, Ignoto, Sara, Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria, Vázquez-Luis, Maite, Cabezas, María Del Pilar, Ros, Macarena, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Guerra-García, José Manuel, Revanales, Triana, Saenz-Arias, Pablo, Navarro-Barranco, Carlos, Ruiz-Velasco, Sofía, Pastor-Montero, María, Sempere-Valverde, Juan, Chebaane, Sahar, Vélez-Ruiz, Alberto, Martínez-Laiz, Gemma, Santos-Simón, Mar, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Nour, Ola Mohamed, Gouillieux, Benoit, Hosie, Andrew Mark, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Carvalho, Susana, Balistreri, Paolo, Sirchia, Benedetto, Ruvolo, Vincenzo, Mancini, Emanuele, Bonifazi, Andrea, Tempesti, Jonathan, Tiralongo, Francesco, Ignoto, Sara, Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria, Vázquez-Luis, Maite, Cabezas, María Del Pilar, and Ros, Macarena

Abstract

Studies of non-indigenous species (NIS) often tend to focus on medium and large-sized taxa with potential for remarkable ecological and/or economic impact, whereas the early detection of small invertebrates is often delayed due to taxonomic chal-lenge, lack of consistent, standardised monitoring efforts and limited funding. This study represents the first records of the marine amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934) in Morocco, Tunisia, Corsica (France), Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and New Caledonia (France). Furthermore, it reports an expansion of its known distribution in Portugal (earliest and northernmost record for the country and first record for Macaronesia), Spain (earliest record for Atlantic and Mediterranean European waters), and Australia (first record for Indian Ocean). Recreational boating and commercial shipping, mainly through hull fouling and sec-ondarily ballast waters, are proposed as vectors for introduction and secondary spread of L. baconi. The following traits, analysed during the present study, could contribute to its invasive potential: (i) quick and extensive spread of the species worldwide, (ii) high densities in marinas, harbours, hull fouling and other artificial habitats, including aquaculture facilities and floating debris, (iii) high ability for short-term colonisation of empty artificial niches, (iv) diet based on detritus suggesting an opportunistic feed-ing behaviour, and (v) population survival during seasonal fluctuations in different regions. Taxonomic expertise and scientific collaboration, based on multidisciplinary networks of experts, are crucial for the early detection, distribution updates, and risk assessment of small and overlooked stowaways in marine environments.

Published
2023

16. Unpublished Mediterranean and Black Sea records of marine alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species

Author

Ragkousis, Michail, Zenetos, Argyro, Souissi, Jamila Ben, Hoffman, Razy, Ghanem, Raouia, Taşkın, Ergün, Muresan, Mihaela, Karpova, Evgeniia, Slynko, Elena, Dağlı, Ertan, Fortič, Ana, Dulčić, Jakov, Dogrammatzi, Aikaterini, Şükran Okudan, Emine, Rilov, Gil, Rosso, Antonietta, Bianchi, Carlo Nike, Royo, Laura, Selfati, Mohamed, Gaglioti, Martina, Giakoumi, Sylvaine, Tsirintanis, Konstantinos, Kousteni, Vasiliki, Tsiamis, Konstantinos, Micu, Dragoș, Apostolopoulos, Giorgos A., Nicoară, Mircea, Orfanidis, Sotiris, Morri, Carla, Papatheodoulou, Magdalene, Tempesti, Jonathan, Triantaphyllou, Maria, Insacco, Gianni, Tsourou, Theodora, Yalgın, Ferhat, Baltag, Emanuel, Cerim, Hasan, Ramos-Espl, Alfonso A., Crocetta, Fabio, Filiz, Halit, Gerovasileiou, Vasilis, Georgiadis, Constantinos G., Papadamakis, Paschalis, Oikonomidis, Georgios, Rammou, Dimitra Lida, Samargiu, Manuela Diana, Sciuto, Francesco, Sinopoli, Mauro, Türker, Ali, Chiarore, Antonia, Tamburello, Laura, Kytinou, Eleni, Lipej, Lovrenc, Petović, Slavica, Mancini, Emanuele, Karray, Sahar, Hassen, Bilel, Katsanevakis, Stelios, Ferrario, Jasmine, Marchini, Agnese, Sconfietti, Renato, Ammar, Izdihar, Alo, Alaa, Edelist, Dori, Orlando- Bonaca, Martina, Papadakis, Orestis, Digenis, Markos, Begun, Tatiana, Teaca, Adrian, Tari, Gokhan, Skouradakis, Grigorios, Tomas, Fiona, Bariche, Michel, Corsini-Foka, Maria, Kaminas, Alexandros, Konida, Kassiani, Yapıcı, Sercan, Sini, Maria, Deidun, Alan, Marrone, Alessio, Fraschetti, Simonetta, Mangialajo, Luisa, Zotou, Maria, Skolka, Marius, Rabaoui, Lotfi Jilani, Azzurro, Ernesto, Vella, Adriana, Di Martino, Vincenzo, Dailianis, Thanos, Grigoriou, Panos, Jimenez, Carlos, Chatzigeorgiou, Giorgos, Ben Amor, Mohamed Mourad, Vernadou, Emmanouela, Zamuda, Leon Lojze, Arda, Yaprak, Minasidis, Vasileios, Azzola, Annalisa, Tsalapatis, Alexandros, Hadjioannou, Louis, Montefalcone, Monica, Zaouali, Jeanne, Baldacchino, Yacopo, Stancanelli, Bessy, Bonifazi, Andrea, Trkov, Domen, Occhipinti-Ambrogi, Anna, Smeraldo, Sonia, Evans, Julian, Kondylatos, Gerasimos, Falautano, Manuela, Scannella, Danilo, Castriota, Luca, Zava, Bruno, Lamprou, Aggelos, Rizgalla, Jamila, Mancuso, Francesco Paolo, Mavrič, Borut, Papadimitriou, Evangelos, Kersting, Diego K., Schembri, Patrick J., Khamassi, Faten, Nikolaou, Athanasios, Ballesteros, Enric, Tiralongo, Francesco, Agrotis, Neophytos, Dimitriadis, Charalampos, Petrou, Antonis, García, María, Anastasiadis, Athanasios, Kalogirou, Stefanos, Nalmpanti, Melina, Altamirano, María, Grech, Daniele, Mavrouleas, Dimitrios, Vella, Noel, Agius Darmanin, Sandra, Mačić, Vesna, Resaikos, Vasilis, Verdura, Jana, Dragičević, Branko, Poursanidis, Dimitris, Tsatiris, Alexandros, Vitale, Sergio, Valsamidis, Michail-Aggelos, Bazairi, Hocein, Surugiu, Victor, Mannino, Anna Maria, Virgili, Riccardo, Karachle, Paraskevi K., Bilecenoglu, Murat, Collepardo Coccia, Fabio, El Zrelli, Radhouan, Nikolidakis, Savvas, Ertan Çinar, Melih, Moraitis, Manos L., Albano, Paolo G., Huseyinoglu, Mehmet Fatih, Kaddouri, Nassir, Kosma, Ioanna, Aydın, İlker, Falsone, Fabio, Fossati, Valentina, Geraci, Michele Luca, Batjakas, Ioannis E., Bos, Arthur R., El Ouamari, Najib, Mihneva, Vesselina, Giallongo, Giovanni, Kampouris, Thodoros E., Ounifi-Ben Amor, Khadija, Bahri, Wafa Rjiba, and Doğan, Alper

Subjects
Introduced organisms -- Mediterranean Sea, Marine animals -- Mediterranean Sea, Marine animals -- Black Sea, Climatic changes -- Black Sea Region, Climatic changes -- Mediterranean Region, Introduced organisms -- Black Sea
Abstract

To enrich spatio-temporal information on the distribution of alien, cryptogenic, and neonative species in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, a collective effort by 173 marine scientists was made to provide unpublished records and make them open access to the scientific community. Through this effort, we collected and harmonized a dataset of 12,649 records. It includes 247 taxa, of which 217 are Animalia, 25 Plantae and 5 Chromista, from 23 countries surrounding the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Chordata was the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Annelida. In terms of species records, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Saurida lessepsianus, Pterois miles, Upeneus moluccensis, Charybdis (Archias) longicollis, and Caulerpa cylindracea were the most numerous. The temporal distribution of the records ranges from 1973 to 2022, with 44% of the records in 2020–2021. Lethrinus borbonicus is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, while Pomatoschistus quagga, Caulerpa cylindracea, Grateloupia turuturu, and Misophria pallida are first records for the Black Sea; Kapraunia schneideri is recorded for the second time in the Mediterranean and for the first time in Israel; Prionospio depauperata and Pseudonereis anomala are reported for the first time from the Sea of Marmara. Many first country records are also included, namely: Amathia verticillata (Montenegro), Ampithoe valida (Italy), Antithamnion amphigeneum (Greece), Clavelina oblonga (Tunisia and Slovenia), Dendostrea cf. folium (Syria), Epinephelus fasciatus (Tunisia), Ganonema farinosum (Montenegro), Macrorhynchia philippina (Tunisia), Marenzelleria neglecta (Romania), Paratapes textilis (Tunisia), and Botrylloides diegensis (Tunisia)., peer-reviewed

Published
2023

21. New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea (May 2022)

Author

KOUSTENI, VASILIKI, ANASTASIADIS, ATHANASIOS, BARICHE, MICHEL, BATTAGLIA, PIETRO, BONIFAZI, ANDREA, ĆETKOVIĆ, ILIJA, CHIMIENTI, GIOVANNI, COLOMBO, MARCO, CONSTANTINOU, COSTAS, MARIA, DALYAN, CEM, DOGRAMMATZI, AIKATERINI, DOMENICHETTI, FILIPPO, EL ZRELLI, RADHOUAN, FERNÁNDEZ-ALÍAS, ALFREDO, E. KAMPOURIS, THODOROS, KESICI, NUR BIKEM, C. KÜPPER, FRITHJOF, LIPEJ, LOVRENC, MANCINI, EMANUELE, MANUNZA, BRUNO, MARCOS, CONCEPCION, MAVRIČ, BORUT, MAVRUK, SINAN, MUTLU, ERHAN, ÖZVAROL, YAŞAR, PAPADIMITRIOU, EVANGELOS, PEŠIĆ, ANA, PÉREZ-RUZAFA, ANGEL, PEY, ALEXIS, POURSANIDIS, DIMITRIS, RIZGALLA, JAMILA, SAMAHA, ZIAD, STIPA, MARIA GIULIA, TRKOV, DOMEN, TÜRELİ, CANAN, VENTURA, PATRÍCIA, YACOUBI, LAMIA, ZACCHETTI, LORENZO, and ZAVA, BRUNO

Abstract

This Collective Article presents new information about the occurrence of 20 taxa that belong to six Phyla: one Cnidaria, one Ctenophora, two Annelida, four Mollusca, two Arthropoda, and ten Chordata. These records were reported from ten countries from the western to the eastern Mediterranean Sea as follows: Spain: early colonization signs of the Mar Menor lagoon by the cigar jellyfish Olindias muelleri; France: second record of the sea chub of the genus Kyphosus in French Mediterranean waters; Italy: first record of the marbled crab Pachygrapsus maurus in Sardinian waters; first records of the polychaetes Malmgrenia polypapillata and Levinsenia tribranchiata in the Tyrrhenian Sea; new record of the deep-sea squid Ancistrocheirus lesueurii in the Tyrrhenian Sea; first record of the pignosed arrowtooth eel Dysomma brevirostre in the Adriatic Sea; Tunisia: first documented record of the blue butterfish Stromateus fiatola and new record of the iconic great white shark Carcharodon carcharias in the Gulf of Gabes; Slovenia: first records of the sea slug Diaphorodoris alba and the sharpnose sevengill shark Heptranchias perlo; Montenegro: new record of the rare tope shark Galeorhinus galeus; Greece: new records of the rabbitfish Chimaera monstrosa and the electric ray Tetronarce nobiliana; first published record of the nuribranch Discodoris rosi; Turkey: first record of the ctenophore Hormiphora plumosa at country level; first records of the anomuran decapod Munida speciosa and the Mediterranean tripodfish, Bathypterois mediterraneus from the Levantine Sea; Cyprus: first documented record of the nuribranch Scyllaea pelagica; Lebanon: first record of the killer whale Orcinus orca from the Levantine Sea.

Published
2022

22. First Record of the Alien and Invasive Polychaete Laonome triangularis Hutchings & Murray, 1984 (Annelida, Sabellidae) in Italian Waters.

Author

Bonifazi, Andrea, Lombardo, Marco Felice, De Bonis, Salvatore, Caprioli, Riccardo, Fustolo, Martina, Morgana, Silvia, Pierdomenico, Martina, and Mancini, Emanuele

Subjects
*POLYCHAETA, *ANNELIDA, *INTRODUCED species
Abstract

In recent years, the introduction of alien and invasive marine species in the Mediterranean Sea has rapidly increased. Laonome triangularis is a sabellid worm, native to the Australian coasts. Its first record in the Mediterranean Sea dates back to 2009 and, in this area, it is currently labeled as an allochthonous species. In the present work, we report the fìrst record of this polycheate in Italian waters and we provide some diagnostic features that are useful to identify the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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24. Integration of close‐range underwater photogrammetry with inspection and mesh processing software: a novel approach for quantifying ecological dynamics of temperate biogenic reefs

Author

Ventura, Daniele, Dubois, Stanislas, Bonifazi, Andrea, Jona Lasinio, Giovanna, Seminara, Marco, Gravina, Maria F., Ardizzone, Giandomenico, Scales, Kylie, Rowlands, Gwilym, Ventura, Daniele, Dubois, Stanislas, Bonifazi, Andrea, Jona Lasinio, Giovanna, Seminara, Marco, Gravina, Maria F., Ardizzone, Giandomenico, Scales, Kylie, and Rowlands, Gwilym

Abstract

Characterizing and monitoring changes in biogenic 3‐dimensional (3D) structures at multiple scales over time is challenging within the practical constraints of conventional ecological tools. Therefore, we developed a structure‐from‐motion (SfM)‐based photogrammetry method, coupled with inspection and mesh processing software, to estimate important ecological parameters of underwater worm colonies (hummocks) constructed by the sabellariid polychaete Sabellaria alveolata, using non‐destructive, 3D modeling and mesh analysis. High resolution digital images of bioconstructions (hummocks) were taken in situ under natural conditions to generate digital 3D models over different sampling periods to analyse the morphological evolution of four targeted hummocks. 3D models were analysed in GOM Inspect software, a powerful and freely available mesh processing software to follow growth as well as morphology changes over time of each hummock. Linear regressions showed 3D models only slightly overestimated the real dimensions of the reference objects with an average error < 5% between measured and model‐estimated dimensions for both length and volume. Manual inspection of models and semi‐automated surface‐to‐surface comparison allowed the computation of important metrics linked to the ecology of temperate reefs such as volume, surface area, surface complexity/rugosity, number and size of holes and creeks and the mean density of living worms per colony. Moreover we demonstrated the reliability of 3D surface complexity estimates against two linear rugosity measures: a traditional and a virtual variant of the ‘chain‐and‐tape’ method. Finally, besides 3D models deviation analysis via surface comparison, a Bayesian latent variable model approach was adopted to highlight the significative effects of sea state conditions on S. alveolata hummocks metrics. We demonstrated without damaging the benthic organisms that SfM approach allow continuous study of temperate bioconstruction leading to

Published
2021
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28. Integration of close-range underwater photogrammetry with inspection and mesh processing software: a novel approach for quantifying ecological dynamics of temperate biogenic reefs

Author

Ventura, Daniele, Dubois, Stanislas, Bonifazi, Andrea, Jona Lasinio, Giovanna, Seminara, Marco, Gravina, Maria F., Ardizzone, Giandomenico, Scales, Kylie, and Rowlands, Gwilym

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, Technology, Rugosity, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Settore BIO/07, Sea state, 01 natural sciences, computer vision, Sabellaria alveolata, Software, 14. Life underwater, Computers in Earth Sciences, Underwater, QH540-549.5, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Remote sensing, Ecology, biology, surface rugosity evaluation, business.industry, 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology, Sampling (statistics), mesh analysis, 3D modeling, biology.organism_classification, 3D modelling, Photogrammetry, Environmental science, biogenic temperate reefs, volumetric estimates, business
Abstract

Characterizing and monitoring changes in biogenic 3-dimensional (3D) structures at multiple scales over time is challenging within the practical constraints of conventional ecological tools. Therefore, we developed a structure-from-motion (SfM)-based photogrammetry method, coupled with inspection and mesh processing software, to estimate important ecological parameters of underwater worm colonies (hummocks) constructed by the sabellariid polychaete Sabellaria alveolata, using non-destructive, 3D modeling and mesh analysis. High resolution digital images of bioconstructions (hummocks) were taken in situ under natural conditions to generate digital 3D models over different sampling periods to analyse the morphological evolution of four targeted hummocks. 3D models were analysed in GOM Inspect software, a powerful and freely available mesh processing software to follow growth as well as morphology changes over time of each hummock. Linear regressions showed 3D models only slightly overestimated the real dimensions of the reference objects with an average error < 5% between measured and model-estimated dimensions for both length and volume. Manual inspection of models and semi-automated surface-to-surface comparison allowed the computation of important metrics linked to the ecology of temperate reefs such as volume, surface area, surface complexity/rugosity, number and size of holes and creeks and the mean density of living worms per colony. Moreover we demonstrated the reliability of 3D surface complexity estimates against two linear rugosity measures: a traditional and a virtual variant of the ‘chain-and-tape’ method. Finally, besides 3D models deviation analysis via surface comparison, a Bayesian latent variable model approach was adopted to highlight the significative effects of sea state conditions on S. alveolata hummocks metrics. We demonstrated without damaging the benthic organisms that SfM approach allow continuous study of temperate bioconstruction leading to a fine description of short-term structural modification mediated by hydrodynamics, making this technique accessible and repeatable to many other areas of ecological research.

Published
2020

32. Uncovering unmet demand and key insights for the invasive blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) market before and after the Italian outbreak: Implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Author

Azzurro, Ernesto, Bonanomi, Sara, Chiappi, Marina, De Marco, Rocco, Luna, Gian Marco, Cella, Matilde, Guicciardi, Stefano, Tiralongo, Francesco, Bonifazi, Andrea, and Strafella, Pierluigi

Subjects
BLUE crab, SUSTAINABILITY, WILLINGNESS to pay, PUBLIC opinion, SHELLFISH, MARKET prices
Abstract

In the summer of 2023, the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus , experienced an unprecedented outbreak in the Northern Adriatic Sea, significantly impacting Italy's shellfish farming industry and generating widespread media attention. Given that commercially harvesting this edible species is recognized as one of the main strategies to manage its invasion, we conducted an extensive online survey to explore key aspects of C. sapidus market. The survey included questions on public awareness, market availability, consumer's acceptance, market prices and willingness to pay. We gathered responses from 2466 participants across Italy, between November 2022 and October 2023. To explore possible changes in public perceptions, we compared data from periods before and after the media upsurge. Our findings underscore a rapid rise in public interest fueled by media coverage, coupled with a high favorable reception from Italian consumers, who positively assessed the blue crab's qualities. A notable mismatch between consumer interest and the current availability of C. sapidus in national markets was highlighted, suggesting the importance to address this major gap in the distribution chain of blue crab across all the Italian regions. By tapping into a highly impactful and readily available yet currently underutilized resource, significant economic potential can be unlocked. This approach should be considered while developing long-term adaptation strategies, ensuring sustainable harvesting practices and carefully assessing any potential challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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39. Unusual Massive Beaching of Dalophis imberbis(Delaroche, 1809) (Anguilliformes, Ophichtidae) from the Central Tyrrhenian Sea

Author

Bonifazi, Andrea, Fratini, Filippo, and Ventura, Daniele

Abstract

An unusual massive beaching of about two hundred specimens of the ophichthid eel Dalophis imberbisin the Central Mediterranean Sea was documented with in situ photographs and direct observations of beached specimens. No records of massive beaching of this species are reported in literature and only isolated specimens of D. imberbiswere sporadically found beached. This event might be directly related to a severe wintry storm that affected the Latium coast from 2 to 5 March 2017. Some specimens were collected and measured and following laboratory analysis showed that had empty stomachs and no mature reproductive structures despite their large size (Mean TL mm?>?400). In this way, further studies are required to determine the causes of this very uncommon event.

Published
2019
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40. Cleaning interactions between the cleaner wrasse <italic>Symphodus melanocercus</italic> (Osteichthyes: Labridae) and brown meagre <italic>Sciaena umbra</italic> (Osteichthyes: Sciaenidae).

Author

Ventura, Daniele, Machado, Leonardo Francisco, Bonifazi, Andrea, Gravina, Maria Flavia, and Ardizzone, Giandomenico

Abstract

Cleaning interactions between the wrasse Symphodus melanocercus and brown meagre Sciaena umbra are documented from observations whilst free diving on a shallow rocky reef in the central Mediterranean Sea. Cleaning events occurred at cleaning stations mainly during the morning and gradually decreased in the evening. The body parts mostly cleaned were the opercular region and the fins, possibly as gnathiid isopods preferentially attach to these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
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41. SPERM TRANSFER IN MARINE INVERTEBRATES: RECORD OF VERMETID GASTROPOD SPERMATOPHORES IN THE PLANKTON.

Author

BONIFAZI, ANDREA, LUCARELLI, MARCO, and GRAVINA, MARIA FLAVIA

Subjects
*GASTROPODA, *SPERMATOPHORES, *MOLLUSK morphology, *MARINE invertebrates, *ANIMAL species, *REPRODUCTION
Abstract

The occurrence of Gastropoda Vermetidae spermatophores is recorded. They correspond to the spermatophores of the species Thylacodes arenarius (L., 1758) (= Serpulorbis arenarius (L., 1767) ). The morphological characteristics of the different spermatophores observed are showed and the records are analyzed in the light of the reproductive strategies of such aphallic sessile invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014
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42. Sabellaria spinulosa (Polychaeta, Annelida) reefs in the Mediterranean Sea: Habitat mapping, dynamics and associated fauna for conservation management

Author

Marta Simona Bertrandino, Giovanni Chimienti, Caterina Longo, Massimo Moretti, Giuseppe Corriero, Andrea Bonifazi, Maria Flavia Gravina, Stefania Nunzia Lisco, Adriana Giangrande, Vincenzo Moretti, Frine Cardone, Carlotta Nonnis Marzano, Flavia Gravina, Maria, Cardone, Frine, Bonifazi, Andrea, Simona Bertrandino, Marta, Chimienti, Giovanni, Longo, Caterina, Nonnis Marzano, Carlotta, Moretti, Massimo, Lisco, Stefania, Moretti, Vincenzo, Corriero, Giuseppe, and Giangrande, Adriana

Subjects
0106 biological sciences, Mediterranean climate, Settore BIO/07, Biodiversity, Aquatic Science, Biology, Oceanography, 010603 evolutionary biology, 01 natural sciences, Sabellaria, Mediterranean sea, Mediterranean biodiversity, Littoral reef, Reef, geography, geography.geographical_feature_category, Ecology, 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology, biology.organism_classification, Benthic invertebrate community, Coastal, Engineering species, Polychaetes, Fishery, Habitat, Benthic invertebrate community, Coastal Engineering species ,Littoral reef, Mediterranean, biodiversity, Polychaetes, Sabellaria spinulosa, Species richness
Abstract

Bio-constructions by Sabellaria worms play a key functional role in the coastal ecosystems being an engineer organism and for this reason are the object of protection. The most widespread reef building species along Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts is S. alveolata (L.), while the aggregations of S. spinulosa are typically limited to the North Sea coasts. This paper constitutes the first detailed description of unusual large S. spinulosa reefs in the Mediterranean Sea. Defining current health status and evaluating the most important threats and impacts is essential to address conservation needs and design management plans for these large biogenic structures. Present knowledge on Mediterranean reefs of S. alveolata is fragmentary compared to Northeast Atlantic reefs, and concerning S. spinulosa, this paper represents a focal point in the knowledge on Mediterranean reefs of this species. A one-year study on temporal changes in reef structure and associated fauna is reported. The annual cycle of S. spinulosa reef shows a spawning event in winter-early spring, a period of growth and tubes aggregation from spring-early summer to autumn and a degeneration phase in winter. The variations exhibited in density of the worm aggregation and the changes in the reef elevation highlight a decline and regeneration of the structure over a year. The many ecological roles of the S. spinulosa reef were mainly in providing a diversity of microhabitats hosting hard and sandy bottom species, sheltering rare species, and producing biogenic structures able to provide coastal protection. The Mediterranean S. spinulosa reef does not shelter a distinctive associated fauna; however the richness in species composition underscores the importance of the reef as a biodiversity hot-spot. Finally, the roles of the biogenic formations and their important biotic and physical dynamics support the adoption of strategies for conservation of Mediterranean S.spinulosa reefs, according to the aims of the Habitat Directive.

Published
2018

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