Non indigenous species settle down in the Taranto Seas

Abstract

Biogeographia vol. XXV - 2004 (Printed December, 30 q' 2004) Marine Biogeography of the Mediterranean Sea: patterns and dynamics of biodiversity Non indigenous species settle down in the Taranto Seas FRANCESCO MASTROTOTARO*, ANTONELLA PETROCELLI**, ESTER CECERE**, ALFONSO MATARRESE* *Dz;p/zrtimento di Z00/ogirz, Universitfz di Bari, Via Orzzeomz, 4, 7 0125 Bari (Italy) **[5tiz‘uto Ameients Maritza Cosziero (MMC) — CNR. — Sezione di Tzzrrmto — T aldssogmfico “A. Cerrutf’, Via Roma, 3, 74100 Tzzrzmto (Italy) e—mail: rmzstrotomro @ez'ologz'zz. uniezz. it Key words: non indigenous species, Gulf of Taranto, Ionian Sea, Mediterranean Sea. SUMMARY The presence and the distribution of seven exotic species (4 seaweeds and 3 animals) in the seas of Taranto are discussed. The seaweeds are: Czm/eipzz mmnorzz var. (.yli;zdrr1cM, Codizmzfiagile subsp. tamentosoides (Chlorophyceae), U721/rIritl}gir1I11ztiflt/:1 (pltaeopliyceae), and W/0772213113/all/1 retrzcerz (Rhodophyceae), all well~known as invasive species‘ The animal species are: Brmzc/Jiomm/z /ummmm (Polychaeta), Mzrrorosnms xqzmmiger (Ascidiacea), and Mmcz/Zixrzz I372/aousizz (Bivalvia). INTRODUCTION In the last 30-40 years, the number of exotic species, accidentally introduced in the Mediterranean Sea, has considerably increased. This was due to both the increasing of the naval traffic (transport offouling species and planktonic larvae in the ballast waters) (Occhipinti Ambrogi, 2001) and the aquaculture activity which, recently, went in for the breeding of non indigenous species [e.g. Cmssostrezz gzgrzs (Thunberg, 1793); Tapes pbilzppinarum (Adams and Reeve, 1850); Pemzezisjapaniczrs Bate, 1888; etc.] (Rossi, 1992). In the sea basins facing the town of Taranto (i.e. the Max Piccolo, the Mar Grande and a part of the gulf) there is a wide intercontinental naval traffic due to both the presence of the most important Italian Navy base and to the merchant harbour. Moreover, numerous mussel farms are present. The above mentioned activities together with industrial emissions and sewages, favoured