Numerous non-indigenous bryozoan species orNIBs (= non-indigenous bryozoans) have been recorded inthe Mediterranean Sea, some in marine cave habitats. Recentsurveys, mostly of submarine caves, led to the discovery ofnew NIBs and documented the spreading of NIBs alreadyknown from the basin. Cradoscrupocellaria hirsuta,Catenicella paradoxa, and Smittina nitidissima were recordedat several localities of central sectors of the Mediterranean.Only Ca. paradoxa was previously known from the area,while S. nitidissima had previously been recorded only fromthe Eastern Mediterranean, and Cr. hirsuta is new to the area.Within the examined area, Cr. hirsuta has a wide distribution,occurring on artificial panels and natural substrates.S. nitidissima and Ca. paradoxa were detected only on artificialpanels, except for a few Ca. paradoxa colonies from asingle locality, which had settled on algae. Artificial substratesoffer additional surfaces available for colonisation, often moresuitable than natural substrates. As such, they can be rapidlyexploited by new settlers and particularly by opportunistictaxa as most alien species are. Although artificial substratescan be advantageous tools for the early detection of nonindigenousspecies (NISs), submerged anthropogenic substrates,such as artificial reefs and coastal protection structures,may selectively attract non-indigenous species favouring theirspreading alongshore. Shipping appears to be one of the mainpathways for species introduction and the main vector fordispersion.

Non-indigenous bryozoan species from natural and artificial substrata of Mediterranean submarine caves

ROSSO, Maria Antonietta;Di Martino E.;
2018-01-01

Abstract

Numerous non-indigenous bryozoan species orNIBs (= non-indigenous bryozoans) have been recorded inthe Mediterranean Sea, some in marine cave habitats. Recentsurveys, mostly of submarine caves, led to the discovery ofnew NIBs and documented the spreading of NIBs alreadyknown from the basin. Cradoscrupocellaria hirsuta,Catenicella paradoxa, and Smittina nitidissima were recordedat several localities of central sectors of the Mediterranean.Only Ca. paradoxa was previously known from the area,while S. nitidissima had previously been recorded only fromthe Eastern Mediterranean, and Cr. hirsuta is new to the area.Within the examined area, Cr. hirsuta has a wide distribution,occurring on artificial panels and natural substrates.S. nitidissima and Ca. paradoxa were detected only on artificialpanels, except for a few Ca. paradoxa colonies from asingle locality, which had settled on algae. Artificial substratesoffer additional surfaces available for colonisation, often moresuitable than natural substrates. As such, they can be rapidlyexploited by new settlers and particularly by opportunistictaxa as most alien species are. Although artificial substratescan be advantageous tools for the early detection of nonindigenousspecies (NISs), submerged anthropogenic substrates,such as artificial reefs and coastal protection structures,may selectively attract non-indigenous species favouring theirspreading alongshore. Shipping appears to be one of the mainpathways for species introduction and the main vector fordispersion.
2018
Introduced species . Geographical distribution; Taxonomy . Cheilostomata; Mediterranean, Dispersion
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/51764
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