Massive Aggregations of Serpulidae Associated With Eutrophication of the Mar Menor, Southeast Iberian Peninsula

Jessica Sandonnini,Emilio Cortés Melendreras,Yoana Del Pilar Ruso,Francisca Giménez Casalduero

doi:10.3389/fmars.2020.531726

Jessica Sandonnini, Emilio Cortés Melendreras + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.531726

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Abstract

For decades, inputs of nutrients and organic matter into the Mar Menor coastal lagoon have favored the change from an original oligotrophic to a eutrophic state. The lagoon reached a stage of severe eutrophication and “environmental collapse” during the spring of 2016. This paper describes the massive growth of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) forming large aggregations and reef structures after the environmental collapse caused by the eutrophic crisis. Four species belonging to the genera Hydroides and Serpula were identified; the identified species are Hydroides elegans, Hydroides dianthus, Serpula concharum, and Serpula vermicularis. The presence of bi-operculate and tri-operculate specimens is also documented in this study.

Highlights

Eutrophication and dystrophic crises are increasingly occurring in coastal lagoons around the world (Amanieu et al, 1975; Reyes and Merino, 1991; Ferrari et al, 1993; Mesnage and Picot, 1995; Boynton et al, 1996; Bachelet et al, 2000; Nakamura and Kerciku, 2000; Naldi and Viaroli, 2002; Newton et al, 2003)
A total of 4,372 serpulids were quantified from the samples collected in 2017, 2018, and 2019, of which 99.8% were identified at the species level. These belonged to four species in the genera Serpula and Hydroides: S. concharum (Langerhans, 1880), S. vermicularis, H. elegans, and H. dianthus
2,830 serpulid specimens were quantified from the fouling collector samples analyzed during 2017 and 2018

Summary

Introduction

Eutrophication and dystrophic crises are increasingly occurring in coastal lagoons around the world (Amanieu et al, 1975; Reyes and Merino, 1991; Ferrari et al, 1993; Mesnage and Picot, 1995; Boynton et al, 1996; Bachelet et al, 2000; Nakamura and Kerciku, 2000; Naldi and Viaroli, 2002; Newton et al, 2003) This is the case for the Mar Menor, a Mediterranean hypersaline lagoon located in the southwest of Spain and declared as a protected area in several lists, such as the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance, European Union Bird Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC), and Natura 2000 Network (Figure 1). Anthropogenic pressures over the last few decades have led to nutrient and organic matter inputs into this lagoon, changing its original oligotrophic state into a eutrophic condition with

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