Marine Bioinvasions Research Articles

Microporella hastingsae Harmelin, Ostrovsky, Cáceres-Chamizo and Sanner, 2011 (Bryozoa, Cheilostomatida): a possible new Lessepsian species in the Mediterranean Sea?

The introduction of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the main threats to biodiversity and its increasing frequency could bring a significant ecological impact on native species. However, knowledge of marine bioinvasions, the spreading patterns of NIS and their possible pathways of dispersion is still limited, especially for particular taxonomic groups. In this paper, we report the first Mediterranean record of a colony of a non-indigenous bryozoan, Microporella hastingsae Harmelin, Ostrovsky, Cáceres-Chamizo and Sanner, 2011, found on plastic litter stranded south of Catania (Sicily, western Ionian Sea) during spring 2023. Based on this colony, a formal taxonomic description of M. hastingsae is provided for this species, which was recently erected for old, misidentified material collected in the early twentieth century in the Suez Canal and the north Red Sea. We suggest that the species could be considered a Lessepsian migrant assuming it entered the Mediterranean Sea at any time, through larval dispersal and/or the possible facilitation by human activities, presumably shipping. Further surveys in coastal localities of Sicily and the eastern Mediterranean are needed to confirm the establishment of M. hastingsae or if the present colony only represents an occasional record of the species in the basin.

Quantifying the probability of a successful marine bioinvasion due to source-destination risk factors.

The increasing spread of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) due to the growth in global shipping traffic is causing widespread concern for the ecological and economic impacts of marine bioinvasions. Risk management authorities need tools to identify pathways and source regions of priority concern to better target efforts for preventing NIS introduction. The probability of a successful NIS introduction is affected by the likelihood that a marine species entrained in a transport vector will survive the voyage between origin and destination locations and establish an independently reproducing population at the destination. Three important risk factors are voyage duration, range of environmental conditions encountered during transit and environmental similarity between origin and destination. In this study, we aimed for a globally comprehensive approach to assembling quantifications of source-destination risk factors from every potential origin to every potential destination. To derive estimates of voyage-related marine biosecurity risk, we used computer-simulated vessel paths between pairs of ecoprovinces in the Marine Ecoregions Of the World biogeographic classification system. We used the physical length of each path to calculate voyage duration risk and the cross-latitudinal extent of the path to calculate voyage path risk. Environmental similarity risk was based on comparing annual average sea surface temperature and salinity within each ecoprovince to those of other ecoprovinces. We derived three separate sets of risk quantifications, one each for voyage duration, voyage path and environmental similarity. Our quantifications can be applied to studies that require source-destination risk estimates. They can be used separately or combined, depending on the importance of the types of source-destination risks that might be relevant to particular scientific or risk management questions or applications.

Prioritizing management of high-risk routes and ports by vessel type to improve marine biosecurity efforts

The shipping industry constitutes the main vector of marine bioinvasions. Over 90,000 vessels world-wide create a highly complex shipping network that requires appropriate management tools. Here we characterized a novel vessel category, Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV), in terms of potential contribution to the dispersal of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in comparison to smaller vessels traveling similar routes. Such approach is essential for providing precise information-based risk analysis necessary to enforce biosecurity regulations and reduce the adverse global effects of marine NIS. We used Automatic Identification System (AIS) based websites to extract shipping data that will enable us to test for differences in two vessel behaviors linked to NIS dispersal: port visit durations and voyage sailing times. We then examined the geographic spread of ULCVs and small vessels, quantifying the accumulation of new port visits, countries, and ecoregions for each vessel category. Finally, Higher Order Network (HON) analysis revealed emergent patterns within shipping traffic, species flow, and invasion risk networks of these two categories. Compared to the smaller vessels, ULCVs spent significantly longer time in 20% of the ports and were more geographically constrained, with fewer port visits, countries, and regions. HON analysis revealed that the ULCV shipping species flow and invasion risk networks were more similar to each other than to those of the smaller vessels. However, HON port importance shifts were discernible for both vessel categories, with major shipping hubs not necessarily being major invasion hubs. Overall, compared to smaller vessels, ULCVs behave differently in ways that potentially increase biofouling risk, albeit in a smaller set of ports. Future studies using HON analysis of other dispersal vectors appears critical for prioritizing management of high-risk routes and ports.

Occurrence of marine nonindigenous (NIS) species: Current status, management approaches and challenges in Sri Lanka

Marine nonindigenous species (NIS) are one of the most significant threats to oceans. This article discusses the marine bioinvasions in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is highly vulnerable from marine bioinvasions considering its strategic location well connecting the east-west shipping route with a high marine traffic and high marine/coastal pollution. Many of the commercial ports/harbours are also located close to marine sensitive areas. However, the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008 implemented by the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) has unclear provisions for ballast water management and does not address other vectors of NIS. There is an urgent need for the management of marine NIS followed by NIS monitoring and observations (which is currently inadequate).

Marine bioinvasions in Chile: A national research and conservation management agenda

Marine bioinvasions in Chile: A national research and conservation management agenda

Parasitism enhances gastropod feeding on invasive and native algae while altering essential energy reserves for organismal homeostasis upon warming

Marine bioinvasions are of increasing attention due to their potential of causing ecological and economic loss. The seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla has recently invaded the Baltic Sea, where, under certain conditions, it was found to outcompete the native alga Fucus vesiculosus. Parasites of grazers and temperature are among the potential factors which might indirectly modulate the interactions between these co-occurring algae through their single and combined effects on grazing rates. We tested the temperature and parasitism effects on the feeding of the gastropod Littorina littorea on F. vesiculosus vs. G. vermiculophylla. Uninfected and trematode-infected gastropods were exposed to 10, 16, 22, and 28 °C for 4 days while fed with either algae. Faeces production was determined as a proxy for grazing rate, and HSP70 expression, glycogen and lipid concentrations were used to assess the gastropod's biochemical condition. Gracilaria vermiculophylla was grazed more than F. vesiculosus. Trematode infection significantly enhanced faeces production, decreased glycogen concentrations, and increased lipid concentrations in the gastropod. Warming significantly affected glycogen and lipid concentrations, with glycogen peaking at 16 °C and lipids at 22 °C. Although not significant, warming and trematode infection increased HSP70 levels. Increased faeces production in infected snails and higher faeces production by L. littorea fed with G. vermiculophylla compared to those which fed on F. vesiculosus, suggest parasitism as an important indirect modulator of the interaction between these algae. The changes in the gastropod's biochemical condition indicate that thermal stress induced the mobilization of energy reserves, suggesting a possible onset of compensatory metabolism. Finally, glycogen decrease in infected snails compared to uninfected ones might make them more susceptible to thermal stress.

Exploring biocontamination in associated macrofaunal assemblages in marinas: Soft bottoms vs artificial hard substrate. Where and what to look for?

Marinas are hot spots of non-indigenous marine species (NIS). Introductions of NIS, regardless of their actual or potential impacts, can be considered as a biocontamination of the ecosystem. To characterize the biocontamination status of a marina it is important to know which habitats and major taxa can provide the most useful information. To address this issue, we analyze the associated macrofaunal community associated to soft substrate (sediment; SS) and artificial hard substrate (lateral surface of pontoons; AHS) of six marinas from Southern Spain. 9 NIS were found, including 8 crustaceans (7 peracarids) and 1 polychaete; 8 NIS were found on AHS and 4 in sediments. Indeed, site-specific BioContamination Index (SBCI) showed higher values in AHS than SS. Our results indicate peracarids in AHS should be the primary target for assessing the level of biocontamination in marinas. This may help scientists and environmental managers to stablish strategies for monitoring marine bioinvasions.

Shipping voyage simulation reveals abiotic barriers to marine bioinvasions.

The shipping industry is considered the main vector of introduction of marine non-indigenous species (NIS). NIS distributions are often a consequence of frequent trade activities that are affected by economic trends. A dominant trend in the shipping industry is the operation of Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV), which are over 395 m long and sail mostly on the East-Asia - northern-Europe route. Understanding the risk of NIS introduction by this emerging shipping category is needed for devising strategies for sustainable shipping. Here, we conducted a controlled simulation of key abiotic factors that determine marine bioinvasion success: temperature, salinity, and food availability along selected routes, under two treatments: ULCV and intermediate-size vessels. We tested the effect of each treatment and the varying environmental conditions on the survival of two invasive ascidians (Chordata, Ascidiacea). We used survival analysis methods to locate predictors of ascidian mortality; Environmental conditions at ports with high mortality were used to identify similar major ports on a global scale as potential abiotic barriers. The key factors in ascidian mortality varied between the two species, but for both species, the treatment and salinity were dominant predictors for survival. We identified Port Klang, Rotterdam, and Dammam as ports with high mortality and located several globally distributed major ports that present similar environmental conditions. Our results highlight the potential role of selected major ports as abiotic barriers to fouling organisms during ocean voyages. The tolerance of the tropical-origin Microcosmus exasperatus to the northern-Europe conditions, and of the temperate/sub-tropical origin Styela plicata, to high temperature conditions, point out the urgent need to modify international fouling regulations in view of global change. Further studies on the survival of fouling organisms during a cascade of changing environmental conditions will contribute to the advancement of science-based regulations to reduce the adverse effects of NIS.

20 years of marine bioinvasions research: Achievements and challenges for the Southwestern Atlantic

The study of marine bioinvasions was not homogenously developed worldwide and it is unclear the amount of research effort currently applied across the Southwestern Atlantic (SWA) countries. Through a comprehensive literature review, in this work, we analyze trends, gaps and achievements in the marine bioinvasion research efforts made along the coastal-marine ecosystems of the SWA and over the last 20 years of development, and we identify current challenges to further strengthening regional and international policies and management decisions concerning coastal-marine invasive species. Our analysis showed an exponential growth in the research effort, mostly focused on ecological patterns of non-native species, while other categories of studies (e.g., processes, management, methodological and socio-ecological) received significantly less attention. We found a high prevalence of national studies, while regional and international collaborations were virtually nil. Although the three countries in the region have made important achievements regarding the study and management of marine bioinvasions, changing this unbalance in the research effort between national and international collaborations, and specifically the limited scientific collaborations across the SWA countries, should be a top priority to better deal with marine bioinvasions in a regional and global context.

Detection and prevention of biological invasions in marinas and ports: Epibionts and associated fauna of Mytilus galloprovincialis revisited

Ports and marinas are gateways for introduction of non-indigenous species through ‘shipping’ worldwide. These anthropogenic environments concentrate a variety of artificial structures and substrates that are colonized by different types of organisms, being prone to biological invasions. One the most outstanding taxa in European marinas and ports are the mussels of the genus Mytilus. Mussels live in patches forming a three-dimensional, multi-layered and permanent biosubstrate that favours the settlement of sessile and mobile fauna, creating a perfect environment for the establishment and development of different species. In this study we characterized the biodiversity associated to the mussel patches of M. galloprovincialis in the Marina of Gijón (northern Spain, Cantabrian Sea), according to their status (i.e., native, introduced or alien, invasive and cryptogenic). The samples were collected from different areas of the marina: the outer dock (with national and international traffic), the middle dock and the inner one (both with local and national transit). We identified a total of 102 species associated to M. galloprovincialis, from which 13 and 4 species were invasive and alien respectively. The exotic fanworm Branchiomma luctusoum is reported for the first time in the Bay of Biscay and the Cantabrian Sea. The inner dock was the area with the highest number of non-indigenous taxa. Most of the alien and invasive species belonged to the groups Ascidiacea and Bryozoa, all of them filter feeders with great plasticity and ecological tolerance. Furthermore, the elemental composition microanalysis of the invasive bryozoan Watersipora subatra showed high levels of aluminium (a common element in marinas, being present in the fuel and in ship paintings), which may imply a risk of aluminium bioaccumulation in the environment. From these results we can conclude that mussel patches may facilitate the settlement and development of non-indigenous species in marinas, highlighting the importance of monitoring these mussel aggregations as a management tool for the early control and prevention of marine bioinvasions.

Recreational boats routinely transfer organisms and promote marine bioinvasions

Recreational boats routinely transfer organisms and promote marine bioinvasions

Marine bioinvasions: bivalve molluscs introduced in northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT: Invasive alien species are those that, once introduced from other environments, adapt, starting to reproduce and proliferate in places they did not previously inhabit. The introduction of exotic marine species as a result of anthropic activity, whether intentionally or not, is a process that has been remote for centuries, which makes it difficult to assess the impact of these activities, making studies that address the status of knowledge about such organisms always important. Thus, this research aims to gather information about bivalve molluscs introduced into marine ecosystems in northeastern Brazil, in addition to discussing the knowledge of this invasive fauna for the Northeast, Southeast and South regions of Brazil. For that there was a search for bibliography in 5 databases - SciELO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceResearch.com and I3N Brazil Database of the Horus Institute for Environmental Conservation and Development. Three invasive bivalves for the northeastern region of Brazil were counted. When compared to the South and Southeast regions, the Northeast presents a significant amount of research on the ecology of the species Isognomon bicolor (C. B. Adams, 1845) and Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831), which is very important, because with these results it is possible to track and understand the pathways that make bioinvasions possible. Regarding Perna Perna (Linnaeus, 1758), although there is a discussion about its supposed introduction in Brazilian waters, the species can be considered invasive in Northeastern Brazil.
 KEYWORDS: Invasive species, marine ecosystem, ecology.

2019 Rapid Assessment Survey of marine bioinvasions of southern New England and New York, USA, with an overview of new records and range expansions

2019 Rapid Assessment Survey of marine bioinvasions of southern New England and New York, USA, with an overview of new records and range expansions

Heteropia glomerosa (Bowerbank, 1873) (Porifera, Calcarea, Calcaronea), a new alien species in the Atlantic

Marine bioinvasions are potential threats to biodiversity and ecosystems services, being one of the major environmental, human health and socio-economic problems throughout the world. In 2005, a sponge species never reported before to the Atlantic Ocean was detected in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). This species was initially considered new to science and in less than a decade its populations became very abundant and widespread in the Brazilian coast. In the present work, we performed detailed morphological and molecular analyses of this supposedly new species and found out that it is in fact the Indo-Pacific calcareous sponge Heteropia glomerosa (Bowerbank, 1873). Heteropia glomerosa is the third alien species of calcareous sponge reported in the Atlantic and the second one that allegedly came from the Indo-Pacific. To confirm the taxonomic identification of the Atlantic specimens, we used morphological and molecular tools and re-described the holotypes of H. glomerosa and Uteopsis argentea (Poléjaeff, 1883). We discuss the possibility that biofouling is the introduction source for sponges and present the known distribution of H. glomerosa. Moreover, we verified that H. glomerosa fits seven out of 10 criteria proposed for recognizing alien species. Although this species can be recognized as introduced in the Atlantic Ocean, studies on population genetics, phylogeography, reproduction strategies, larval behaviour, and ecology will be necessary to allow a better evaluation of its invasive potential.

Using online questionnaires to assess marine bio-invasions: A demonstration with recreational fishers and the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1986) along three Mediterranean countries

Marine bioinvasions require integrating monitoring tools with other complementary strategies. In this study, we collected information about the invasive alien crab Callinectes sapidus in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, by means of online questionnaires administered to recreational fishers (n = 797). Our records matched the current distribution of the species: C. sapidus resulted far more common in the Adriatic/Ionian than in the Tyrrhenian/Ligurian sector. Most respondents rated the species as ‘occasional’ or ‘rare’. Moreover, the more C. sapidus was considered to be abundant, the more fishers tended to perceive it as a negative disturbance over fisheries and the environment. Our findings suggest that C. sapidus is more common than previously thought in most of the study area, and it could have reached the levels of a true invasions in the south-eastern Adriatic Sea. This experience demonstrates that online questionnaires can be appropriate tools to effectively engage stakeholders in alien species monitoring.

Current research, pressing issues, and lingering questions in marine invasion science: lessons from the Tenth International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions (ICMB-X)

Current research, pressing issues, and lingering questions in marine invasion science: lessons from the Tenth International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions (ICMB-X)

Past and future of the marine bioinvasions along the Southwestern Atlantic

Past and future of the marine bioinvasions along the Southwestern Atlantic

How experimental physiology and ecological niche modelling can inform the management of marine bioinvasions?

Marine bioinvasions are increasing worldwide by a number of factors related to the anthroposphere, such as higher ship traffic, climate change and biotic communities’ alterations. Generating information about species with high invasive potential is necessary to inform management decisions aiming to prevent their arrival and spread. Grateloupia turuturu, one of the most harmful invasive macroalgae, is capable of damaging ecosystem functions and services, and causing biodiversity loss. Here we developed an ecological niche model using occurrence and environmental data to infer the potential global distribution of G. turuturu. In addition, ecophysiological experiments were performed with G. turuturu populations from different climatic regions to test predictions regarding invasion risk. Our model results show high suitability in temperate and warm temperate regions around the world, with special highlight to some areas where this species still doesn’t occur. Thalli representing a potential temperate region origin, were held at 10, 13, 16, 20 and 24 °C, and measurements of optimal quantum field (Fv/Fm) demonstrated a decrease of photosynthetic yield in the higher temperature. Thalli from the population already established in warm temperate South Atlantic were held at 18, 24 and 30 °C with high and low nutrient conditions. This material exposed to the higher temperature demonstrated a drop in photosynthetic yield and significant reduction of growth rate. The congregation of modelling and physiological approach corroborate the invasive potential of G. turuturu and indicate higher invasion risk in temperate zones. Further discussions regarding management initiatives must be fostered to mitigate anthropogenic transport and eventually promote eradication initiatives in source areas, with special focus in the South America. We propose that this combined approach can be used to assess the potential distribution and establishment of other marine invasive species.

All for one and one for all: research from the 6th International Invasive Sea Squirt Conference and the 10th International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions

All for one and one for all: research from the 6th International Invasive Sea Squirt Conference and the 10th International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions

Assessing marine bioinvasions in the Galápagos Islands: Implications for conservation biology and marine protected areas

Assessing marine bioinvasions in the Galápagos Islands: Implications for conservation biology and marine protected areas