Non-Indigenous Species on Artificial Coastal Environments: Experimental Comparison between Aquaculture Farms and Recreational Marinas

Globally, there is growing concern regarding the effects of the increasing anthropogenic pressures in marine communities. Artificial structures such as marinas and aquaculture facilities serve as invasion hotspots; hence, monitoring fouling communities on these structures can be valuable for detecting new invasions. In the current study, 24 settlement PVC plates were deployed for three months to compare the recruitment ability of these two artificial environments along the south coast of the offshore island of Madeira (NE Atlantic). The results showed higher variations in the species richness between regions (SW vs. SE) than between artificial habitats (sea-cages vs. marinas), although the community composition differed. Cnidaria and Bryozoa were the most representative groups in the aquaculture systems, while Bryozoa and Chordata were in the marinas. A sum of 18 NIS was recorded for the study, accounting for between 21.88% and 54.84% of the total number of species in the aquaculture facilities and marinas, respectively. The higher NIS percentage from the marinas was even more explicit in the SE coast, where Cradoscrupocellaria bertholletii, Parasmittina alba, and Botrylloides niger distinctly dominated fouling populations. The results suggest that at least some particular NIS previously reported in the studied marinas successfully colonized sea-cages. Future assessments need to address the potential role of aquaculture facilities as drivers for the secondary spread of NIS. Additionally, two new records are considered for Madeira: Eudendrium capillare and Ericthonius punctatus.Versión del edito

Pinctada imbricata radiata in the Balearic Archipelago

The presence of Pinctada imbricata radiata (rayed pearl oyster) was explored in the Bay of Palma (Balearic Archipelago, NW Mediterranean Sea) by means of Rapid Assessment Surveys (RAS). Forty-three specimens were found in rocky substrates from recreational marinas and neighbouring natural habitats, including Cabrera National Park. Average hinge length was 26.8 ± 13.3 mm and average shell height was 28.6 ± 16.2 mm; a maximum size of 55.6 × 55.9 mm was measured. The main occurrence of the exotic oyster in marinas, and also far away in Cabrera, points to maritime transport as the primary introduction vector; whereas records in the adjacent natural habitats suggest secondary spread by natural dispersal has occurred. Considering the populations of P. imbricata radiata documented in the Balearic Archipelago, the bivalve seems to be well established in the area. The study explores the potential of RAS as early detection tools for invasive species along the coastline, and recommends further assessment on the ecological impact of P. imbricata radiata in marine protected areas.En prens

Larvae of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Balearic Archipelago (NW Mediterranean Sea)

The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus has been frequently recorded during the last years along the NW Mediterranean Sea, leading to established populations. Two megalopae of C. sapidus were found during two different oceanographic surveys in open waters of the Balearic Archipelago, in July 2005 and October 2011, previous to the first reference of adult specimens documented in the Balearic sub-basin. The analyzed environmental conditions of the sampling periods allowed us to hypothesize the likely introduction pathways, namely by maritime transport and surface currents. Furthermore, the recorded megalopae seem to enlarge the life history of C. sapidus in regard to its native area, where spawning peaks occur in late July and early August.Versión del editor

Establecimiento de la ostra perlífera Pinctada imbricata radiata (Leach, 1814) en el Archipiélago Balear

The presence of Pinctada imbricata radiata has been explored in the Bay of Palma (Balearic Archipelago, NW Mediterranean Sea) by means of Rapid Assessment Surveys (RAS). Forty three specimens were found in rocky substrates from recreational marinas and neighbouring natural habitats, including Cabrera National Park. The main occurrence of the exotic oyster in marinas, and also faraway in Cabrera, points to maritime transport as the primary introduction vector; whereas records in the adjacent natural habitats suggest secondary spread by natural dispersal. Considering the populations of P. imbricata radiata documented in the Balearic Archipelago, the bivalve seems to be well established in the area. The study also explores the potential of RAS as early detection tool for invasive species along the coastline

Especies exóticas e invasoras en el mar Balear

En prens

Database of spatial distribution of non indigenous species in Spanish marine waters

Research in marine Spanish waters are focused on several actions to achieve an effectively management on protected areas, with the active participation of the stakeholders and research as basic tools for decision-making. Among these actions, there is one about the knowledge and control on NIS. One of its objectives is the creation of NIS factsheets, which are going to be added to the National Marine Biodiversity Geographical System (GIS) providing complementary information about taxonomic classification, common names, taxonomic synonyms, species illustrations, identification morphological characters, habitat in the native and introduced regions, biological and ecological traits, GenBank DNA sequences, world distribution, first record and evolution in the introduced areas, likely pathways of introduction, effects in the habitats and interaction with native species, and potential management measures to apply. The database will also provide data for (1) the European online platforms, (2) the environmental assessment for the Descriptor 2 (D2-NIS) of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), as well as (3) supporting decisions made by stakeholders. It is the result of extensive collaboration among scientist, manager’s and citizen science in the Spanish North-Atlantic, South-Atlantic, Gibraltar Strait-Alboran, Levantine-Balearic and Canary Islands marine divisions, providing an updated overview of the spatial distribution of relevant extended and invasive NIS of recent and established NIS introduced by maritime transport and aquaculture pathways, as well as on cryptogenic or native species in expansion due to the climatic water warming trend