Lessepsian Migrant Research Articles

POLYCHAETA OF ANTALYA BAY (MEDITERRANEAN COAST OF TURKEY)

ABSTRACT In a first survey of Polychaeta from Antalya Bay benthos samples of Polychaeta were collected along 5 sites at depths from 0 to 25 m. We identified 129 polychaete taxa belonging to 30 families, of which 120 were new records for the Turkish region of the Levant Basin. Four were Lessepsian migrants: the ranges of Pseudeurythoe acarunculata and Eurythoe complanata are extended from Lebanon and Israel, respectively, to Turkey; Pseudonereis anomala, is now common along the rocky littoral Levant Turkish shore. Lysidice collaris, previously known from Israel and Cyprus, is present along both the Levant and Aegean Turkish coasts, and is newly reported in both regions.

SERPULIDS (ANNELIDA: POLYCHAETA) ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST OF ISRAEL—NEW POPULATION BUILD-UPS OF LESSEPSIAN MIGRANTS

ABSTRACT A scuba-diving expedition along the Mediterranean coast of Israel focused on crevice and overhang concretionary (coralligenous) habitats. Twenty-two serpulid species were collected. Four are new records from the Israeli coast: Rhodopsis pusilla and Semivermilia crenata (cryptic species previously reported from (he Levant [Cyprus]) and Hydroides minax and Pomatoleios kraussii (Lessepsian migrants). A revised list of Levant serpulids numbers 34 species belonging to seventeen genera (including one estuarine genus and species) with the Lessepsian component numbering seven species belonging to three genera. The Lessepsian migrant Hydroides minax has recently become very abundant along the central and northern Israeli coast, and other Lessepsian serpulids likewise appear to be more frequently encountered and more important by number than formerly. Substrate, habitat and depth range information for the migrants is supplemented. The population build-ups suggest that some of the migrants will increasing...

THE GULF OF SUEZ ICHTHYOFAUNA—ASSEMBLAGE POOL FOR LESSEPSIAN MIGRATION INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN

ABSTRACT The composition of the ichthyofauna of the Gulf of Suez was compared to its source fauna in the entire Red Sea and to that in the eastern Levant Basin, the recipient region of Lessepsian migration. Feeding category proportions of Gulf of Suez fish were found to be intermediate between those of Red Sea and Mediterranean fishes, while habitat type proportions showed no clear trend. With the addition of 26 new records, the number of Gulf of Suez species has reached 502, comprising 40.2% of the known Red Sea ichthyofauna. Although the ranking of the most speciose families is similar in the Gulf of Suez and in the entire Red Sea, the relative proportion of certain families is quite different. A positive correlation has been found between those families with a proportionally higher representation in the Gulf of Suez and the number of Lessepsian migrant species in the Mediterranean belonging to those families. A delineation of the number of species in the Red Sea, Gulf of Suez, Suez Canal, eastern Levan...

BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES OF NW RODOS (RHODES) ISLAND (SE AEGEAN SEA) AS RELATED TO HYDROLOGICAL REGIME AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

ABSTRACT The study of benthic macrofaunal communities along the NW coasts of Rodos (Rhodes) Island indicates that the area can be characterized as subtropical, with a high-energy hydrological regime. Of five stations sampled, 382 taxa were identified, some of special zoogeographic interest. The high diversity values observed are probably related to the rather coarse sediment (muddy sand) even in the deeper parts. No clear zonation of species composition was observed, while a very large number of rare species were found. Contribution of Lessepsian migrants to the benthic community composition is very low. Sorting coefficients of the sediment, depth, and hydrological conditions seem to play a synergistic role in the discrimination of benthic assemblages.

PETROSCIRTES ANCYLODON: FIRST LESSEPSIAN MIGRANT BLENNY IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

ABSTRACT A specimen of the Red Sea blenny Petroscirtes ancylodon is recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean. This is the 39th known Lessepsian fish migrant and the first of its family.

ELNAIS meets EASIN: distribution of marine alien species in Greece using EASIN mapping services and ELNAIS spatial data

The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) was created with the aim to provide easy access to accurate information on alien species in Europe. EASIN allows the retrieval of spatial information from existing online data providers in order to produce integrated georeferenced distribution maps of alien species in Europe. In November 2012, a new data provider, the Ellenic Network on Aquatic Invasive Species (ELNAIS), joined EASIN; this has significantly increased the available georeferenced information on marine/estuarine alien species in Greece. Here, we use maps created by EASIN to show differences in patterns of distribution in the Greek Seas for the most abundant Phyla of marine alien species - Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata and Annelida. We also show that the two main pathways of introduction of marine alien species (Lessepsian migration and Shipping) are related to different patterns of species spatial distribution in Greece. Overall, the tools provided by EASIN can greatly aid scientists and policy makers in obtaining high quality information on marine alien species in Greece, especially after the association with ELNAIS.

Additional Records of <I>Champsodon Vorax</I> and <I>Champsodon Capensis</I> (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Champsodontidae) from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

On 25 September 2012, seven individuals of Champsodon vorax Günther, 1867 and five individuals of Champsodon capensis Regan, 1908 were captured during a bottom trawl activity, from a depth of 30–100 m in the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey. Both species are Lessepsian migrants, previously reported in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. C. vorax is being reported for the first time from Turkey, whereas C. capensis is recorded for the first time in the Gulf of Antalya.

ELNAIS meets EASIN: distribution of marine alien species in Greece using EASIN mapping services and ELNAIS spatial data

The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) was created with the aim to provide easy access to accurate information on alien species in Europe. EASIN allows the retrieval of spatial information from existing online data providers in order to produce integrated georeferenced distribution maps of alien species in Europe. In November 2012, a new data provider, the Ellenic Network on Aquatic Invasive Species (ELNAIS), joined EASIN; this has significantly increased the available georeferenced information on marine/estuarine alien species in Greek waters. Here, we use maps created by EASIN to show differences in patterns of distribution in Greece for the most abundant Phyla of marine alien species - Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata and Annelida. We also show that the two main pathways of introduction of marine alien species (Lessepsian migration and Shipping) are related to different patterns of species spatial distribution in Greece. Overall, the tools provided by EASIN can greatly aid scientists and policy makers in obtaining high quality information on marine alien species in Greece, especially after the association with ELNAIS.

Biology and new records of the invasive species Branchiomma bairdi (Annelida: Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

First observations on the reproductive biology of the alien polychaete Branchiomma bairdi (McIntosh, 1885) (Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea are provided as well as additional Mediterranean records of the species which can help to understand its introduction and spreading. Re-examination of the specimens from Miseno harbour (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) revealed the presence of B. bairdi in the central-Mediterranean since September 2004. The histological study of individuals collected in Malta revealed that the species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, developing male and female gametes in the same body segments; embryos are brooded inside the parent tube. However, there is evidence also for asexual reproduction. The species shows a different reproductive pattern from the previously reported population from the eastern-Pacific; this demonstrates its great plasticity and adaptability. Branchiomma bairdi has an invasive behaviour, colonizing large areas in relatively short-time, and reaching relatively high densities (c.a. 50 individuals/m2). Its expansion throughout several Mediterranean localities is largely a consequence of the high capacity of this species to colonize extremely different habitats and substrates, to the occurrence of sexual and asexual reproductive strategies, and the combination of both. Further, B. bairdi appears to be particularly abundant in confined and anthropogenic degraded areas. Finally, our findings strongly suggest that the pathway of introduction in the Mediterranean, previously hypothesized as the Suez Canal (Lessepsian migration), is most likely via the Gibraltar Strait.

Biology and new records of the invasive species Branchiomma bairdi (Annelida: Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

First observations on the reproductive biology of the alien polychaete Branchiomma bairdi (McIntosh, 1885) (Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea are provided as well as additional Mediterranean records of the species which can help to understand its introduction and spreading. Re-examination of the specimens from Miseno harbour (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) revealed the presence of B. bairdi in the central-Mediterranean since September 2004. The histological study of individuals collected in Malta revealed that the species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, developing male and female gametes in the same body segments; embryos are brooded inside the parent tube. However, there is evidence also for asexual reproduction. The species shows a different reproductive pattern from the previously reported population from the eastern-Pacific; this demonstrates its great plasticity and adaptability. Branchiomma bairdi has an invasive behaviour, colonizing large areas in relatively short-time, and reaching relatively high densities (c.a. 50 individuals/m2). Its expansion throughout several Mediterranean localities is largely a consequence of the high capacity of this species to colonize extremely different habitats and substrates, to the occurrence of sexual and asexual reproductive strategies, and the combination of both. Further, B. bairdi appears to be particularly abundant in confined and anthropogenic degraded areas. Finally, our findings strongly suggest that the pathway of introduction in the Mediterranean, previously hypothesized as the Suez Canal (Lessepsian migration), is most likely via the Gibraltar Strait.

The amphipod (Crustacea: Peracarida) fauna of the Aegean Sea, and comparison with those of the neighbouring seas

Examination of sampled material and review of the relevant literature revealed the presence of 299 benthic and 46 pelagic amphipod species from the Aegean Sea. Two of the species identified,Caprella hirsutaMayer, 1890 andApohyale crassipes(Heller, 1866), are recorded for the first time in the Aegean Sea and the Levantine Basin respectively. A checklist of the Mediterranean amphipods is given, as well as their distribution in the Mediterranean territorial areas and the Black Sea. The faunal comparison of the Mediterranean areas showed that the number of species decreases from west to east. In terms of zoogeographical categories the Atlanto-Mediterranean species dominate in all Mediterranean areas followed by the endemic species concerning the benthic amphipods while in pelagic amphipods cosmopolitan species dominate and are then followed by Atlanto-Mediterranean. Three species,Bemlos leptocheirus(Walker, 1909) andLinguimarea caesarisKrapp-Schickel, 2003,Photis lamelliferaSchellenberg, 1928, are lessepsian migrants and are reported in the Levantine and Central Mediterranean Seas.

ELNAIS meets EASIN: distribution of marine alien species in Greece using EASIN mapping services and ELNAIS spatial data

The European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN) was created with the aim to provide easy access to accurate information on alien species in Europe. EASIN allows the retrieval of spatial information from existing online data providers in order to produce integrated georeferenced distribution maps of alien species in Europe. In November 2012, a new data provider, the Ellenic Network on Aquatic Invasive Species (ELNAIS), joined EASIN; this has significantly increased the available georeferenced information on marine/estuarine alien species in Greek waters. Here, we use maps created by EASIN to show differences in patterns of distribution in Greece for the most abundant Phyla of marine alien species - Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata and Annelida. We also show that the two main pathways of introduction of marine alien species (Lessepsian migration and Shipping) are related to different patterns of species spatial distribution in Greece. Overall, the tools provided by EASIN can greatly aid scientists and policy makers in obtaining high quality information on marine alien species in Greece, especially after the association with ELNAIS.

Spatio-temporal distributions of zoobenthos in Mersin Bay (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean) and the importance of alien species in benthic communities

Spatio-temporal variations of soft-bottom zoobenthic communites in Mersin Bay were examined at seven stations between February and October 2009. A total of 337 species were encountered, of which Polychaeta had the highest number of species (136 species), and Mollusca possessed the highest number of individuals (65% of total specimens) and biomass (59% of total biomass). The highest benthos density (max. 9760 ind. m−2) and biomass (max. 133 g m−2) were found at shallow-water stations, whereas the highest diversity index values were calculated at the deepest station. The molluscs Cerithidium diplax, Corbula gibba and Bittium reticulatum dominated the area. Changes of zoobenthic communities were spatial rather than temporal and were strongly correlated with depth and the sediment structures. A total of 40 alien species were found in the area, of which 15 species were possibly transported to the area by ships and the others were Lessepsian migrants. The most domiant alien species in the area were C. diplax, Finella pupoides, Notomastus mossambicus and Amphiodia obtecta. Alien species formed dense populations at shallow water stations, and accounted for 12% of total number of species and 31% of total number of individuals in the area. The community parameters estimated for alien species significantly differed among stations but not among sampling periods. The main factors negatively affecting the number of alien species and individuals were depth, the clay percentage and total organic carbon concentration in sediment. The number of native species and individuals in the area show moderate positive correlations with those of aliens.

State of the Art of the Marine Non-Indigenous Flora and Fauna in Slovenia

Authors provide the state of knowledge on marine non-indigenous species in waters off Slovenia. According to published records and authors unpublished data at least 15 non-indigenous species were up to date recorded in the Slovenian part of the Adriatic sea. Eleven species were considered as established and four species as casual. The vectors of introduction are various, comprising Lessepsian migration, mariculture and shipping. The majority of non-indigenous taxa were recorded in the mediolittoral belt and coastal lagoons. The low number of non-indigenous species so far recorded in the Slovenian part of the Adriatic sea could be explained by various factors. Among them, the most reasonable are the lack of scientific attention, the small proportion of Slovenian Sea and low winter temperatures, which represents a physiological barrier for the survival of newcomers. The number of recorded species is far from being satisfactory. Therefore, we expect that the list of non-indigenous species will be enlarged in the nearby future.

Keeping pace with climate change: what can we learn from the spread of Lessepsian migrants?

AbstractSpecies need to move to keep pace with changing climates, but we do not know if species can move at the required speed. Spread rates of native species may underestimate how fast species can move, we therefore assessed how fast Lessepsian species (marine non‐native species that invaded the Mediterranean from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal) can spread to give a ‘best‐case’ assessment of the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity. We show that about 20% of Lessepsian species could not spread fast enough to keep pace with climate change in about 20% of the global seas and this suggests that climate change may lead to biodiversity loss. The velocity of climate change on the seabed is much lower than at the sea surface, and as a result of this the proportion of species that keep pace with climate change at the seabed was much larger than at the sea surface. This suggests that locations at depth could act as refuges for slow dispersing species. Our analysis compared different estimates of the spreading abilities of marine species and showed that the estimate of spread rates strongly affects the predicted effect of climate change on biodiversity. Providing more accurate estimates of the spreading ability of marine species should therefore have priority if we want to predict the effect of climate change on marine biodiversity. This study is a first approximation of the potential scale and distribution of global marine biodiversity loss and can provide benchmark estimates of the spread rates that species could achieve in colonizing suitable habitat. Assisted colonization may be required to maintain biodiversity in the most strongly affected areas.

Severe Tetrodotoxin Poisoning after Consumption of Lagocephalus sceleratus (Pufferfish, Fugu) Fished in Mediterranean Sea, Treated with Cholinesterase Inhibitor.

Lagocephalus sceleratus, or better known as the pufferfish, or fugu, is widespread in Asia and Indo-Pacific regions. It is a poisonous fish containing tetrodotoxin (TTX) which is a potent neurotoxin. In the Far East, fugu is considered a delicate dish, especially in Japan where it is prepared by experts. Nevertheless, poisoning from Lagocephalus sceleratus is not a rare event. Recent data from Japan indicate an incidence of 45 patients per year and a mortality rate of 11%. Mediterranean sea is not the natural habitat of Lagocephalus sceleratus. However, by now multiple reports have established a firm presence of Lagocephalus sceleratus in Mediterranean region as well. This phenomenon is explained by migration of pufferfish across the Suez Channel (lessepsian migration) (Eisenman et al., 2008, Bentur et al., 2008). With lessepsian migration came the first reports of TTX poisoning in the Mediterranean region. We report a patient with a particularly severe and life-threatening TTX poisoning caused by consumption of Lagocephalus sceleratus and treated by cholinesterase inhibitor to a complete and uneventful recovery.

Settlement behaviour and description of the lessepsian immigrant of the serpulid polychaete Pomatoleios kraussii in the Suez Bay

Pomatoleios kraussii is a lessepsian migrant in the Suez Canal and form the most abundant serpulid (sessile polychaetes) in Suez Bay. It firstly appeared in western side of the Suez Gulf. But it is now present in all regions of Suez Gulf. P. kraussii live at the intertidal zone in the Suez Bay. It forms dense aggregations in shallow water on natural hard submerged substrates. A quadrate made of wood with 20×20cm was used to collect the dense populations of P. kraussii, at monthly intervals from January to December 2008. The population density of P. kraussii reached 193797worms/m2 and its annual settlement reached 16150worms/m2 in the Bay. The species appears preferentially in Winter while its least presence was detected in summer. The lengths of both the worm body and tube are mentioned for a year. The tube is extending from 19mm to 42mm in length. The worm body length ranged from 7mm to 35mm. There is a direct correlation between the lengths of both the tube and the worm. This means that the greater the length of the worm the greater the length of the tube. Tube is pale blue in colour and carries a projecting flattened dorsal ridge. Operculum is flat with winged stalk and desk shaped. No collar setae. The body symmetrical, with 6 thoracic setigers and long abdomen. Thoracic dorsal setae limpate capillaries; ventral uncini with numerous teeth and gouge. All body regions are described in details.

Distribution of the Demersal Fishes on the Continental Shelves of the Levantine and North Aegean Seas (Eastern Mediterranean)

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution patterns of demersal fishes on the continental shelves of the north-eastern Levantine and north-eastern Aegean seas. Fish samples were collected by bottom trawl. A total of 29 hauls were carried out, 15 hauls between 43 to 121 m depth in the north-eastern Levantine Sea and 14 hauls between 65 to 100 m depth in the north-eastern Aegean Sea. The total trawled area for both region was 1.87 km 2 . Cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling were applied to identify hauls grouping. Among 114 fish species found, 84 were recorded in the north-eastern Levantine Sea and 64 in the north-eastern Aegean Sea. Fifty species were found exclusively from the northeastern Levantine Sea, 30 species exclusively from the north-eastern Aegean Sea and 34 species were shared by the two areas. The Lessepsian migrants, Upeneus moluccensis, Equulites klunzingeri, Saurida undosquamis, and the indigenous species Pagellus erythrinus were the most common species of fish assemblage in the north-eastern Levantine Sea. The most common species in the north-eastern Aegean Sea were Serranus hepatus, Mullus barbatus, Citharus linguatula, Merluccius merluccius and Lepidotrigla cavillone. Faunal composition in the north-eastern Levantine Sea was influenced by the oligotrophic, temperate and high saline water, while in the north-eastern Aegean Sea it was mainly affected by the outflow of cold, less saline and highly productive waters from the Black Sea.

Serpulidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Suez Canal—From a Lessepsian Migration Perspective (a Monograph)

Data on Serpulidae collected in the Suez Canal were assembled and analyzed. Five serpulid taxa are reported from the canal for the first time bringing the number of serpulids to at least 16. The Systematic Section compiles revised literature records, confirmed synonymies of the taxa, redescriptions where necessary, photographic studies of taxa and remarks on the populations studied. The possible Indo-West-Pacific or Mediterranean origins of the taxa in the Suez Canal are considered and their chronological records and distributions tracked within the Red Sea, the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez, the Suez Canal and the Levant Basin based on the compiled literature and our extensive databases. Two Lessepsian migrants, Hydroides heterocerus and H. homoceros, show evidence of morphological variability along their migration route; the last also provides an example of a founder effect. Problems of identifying Protula and Salmacina taxa are addressed, along with remarks on the “cosmopolitan” designations of some taxa. Various hypotheses concerning Lessepsian migration are discussed, and attributes making Lessepsian migrant serpulid tubeworms successful invasive species are evaluated.

Evidence for the occurrence of the Indo-Pacific stonefish, <I>Synanceia verrucosa</I> (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Synanceiidae), in the Mediterranean Sea

The stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa Bloch et Schneider, 1801, was recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean. The fish was caught by trammel net, at a depth of 3 m, recorded on video and then released. Its occurrence is presumed to be due to either Lessepsian migration or as an escapee from aquaria.