scholarly journals Updated review of marine alien species and other ‘newcomers’ recorded from the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. EVANS ◽  
J. BARBARA ◽  
P. J. SCHEMBRI
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Warming Trend ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Maltese Islands ◽  
Introduction Pathway ◽  
Range Extender ◽  
Marine Alien Species ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

An updated review of marine alien species and other ‘newcomers’ recorded from the Maltese Islands is presented on account of new records and amendments to a previous review in 2007. Species were classified according to their establishment status (‘Questionable’, ‘Casual’, ‘Established’, ‘Invasive’) and origin (‘Alien’, ‘Range expansion’, ‘Cryptogenic’). A total of 31 species were added to the inventory, while 6 species have been removed, bringing the total number of species to 73. Of these, 66 are considered to be aliens (or putative aliens but with uncertain origin) with the remaining 7 resulting from range expansion. Six records are considered to be questionable and hence unverified. For verified records, the dominant taxonomic groups are Mollusca (represented by 21 species) and Actinopterygii (15 species), followed by Crustacea (8 species) and Rhodophyta (7 species). Eight of these species (aliens: Caulerpa cylindracea, Lophocladia lallemandi, Womersleyella setacea, Brachidontes pharaonis, Percnon gibbesi, Fistularia commersonii, Siganus luridus; range extender: Sphoeroides pachygaster) are considered to be invasive. The introduction pathway for 30 species is unknown. Amongst the alien species, ‘Shipping’ is the most common introduction pathway, followed by ‘Secondary dispersal’ from elsewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. An increasing trend in the number of alien marine species reported from the Maltese Islands is evident, with a peak of 22 species recorded during the last decade (2001–2010). A discussion on the rationale for including range-expanding species in national inventories of recent arrivals, and in the analysis of trends in records from the Maltese Islands, is included. In particular, the general warming trend of Mediterranean surface waters appears to be facilitating the westward spread of thermophilic alien species from the Eastern to the Central Mediterranean, and the eastward range expansion of tropical and subtropical Eastern Atlantic species.

scholarly journals Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean - the 100 ‘Worst Invasives’ and their Impact

2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. STREFTARIS ◽  
A. ZENETOS
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Diffi Cult ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Marine Alien Species ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
The Impact

A number of marine alien species have been described as invasive or locally invasive in the Mediterranean because of their proliferation, and/or their geographical spread and/or impact on native populations. Based on that information and on the documented impact they have on the biodiversity and socioeconomics of the basin, a preliminary list of the 100 ‘worst’ Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Mediterranean has been produced and presented in this work along with details on their impact. Emphasis is given to their impact on socioeconomics (fi sheries/aquaculture, health & sanitation, infrastructure & building), documented for 43 species. Such selection of the ‘worst’ IAS was diffi cult and controversial and is expected to attract much attention and scientifi c criticism since not only can the documentation of the impact of IAS be controversial, but also their inventory can be biased towards the effort and resources devoted to the study of the impact of certain species/taxonomic groups. Thus, while marine plants (phytobenthos and phytoplankton) are fairly well studied, less attention has been paid to the impact of vertebrates and even less to invertebrates. Nevertheless, the list highlights the need for continued research on the issue (monitoring aliens and their impact for an integrated ecosystem based management approach over the entire area). The preliminary list can provide the basis for selecting indicator species within the Mediterranean and thus be the common ground to build cooperation about IAS within countries in the region.

scholarly journals Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the worst invasive species

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. ZENETOS ◽  
M.E. CINAR ◽  
M.A. PANCUCCI-PAPADOPOULOU ◽  
J.G. HARMELIN ◽  
G. FURNARI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Marine Systems ◽  
Annotated List ◽  
Marine Invasions ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Marine Alien Species ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Available Information

This collaborative effort by many specialists across the Mediterranean presents an updated annotated list of alien marine species in the Mediterranean Sea. Alien species have been grouped into six broad categories namely established, casual, questionable, cryptogenic, excluded and invasive, and presented in lists of major ecofunctional/taxonomic groups. The establishment success within each group is provided while the questionable and excluded records are commented in brief. A total of 963 alien species have been reported from the Mediterranean until December 2005, 218 of which have been classified as excluded (23%) leaving 745 of the recorded species as valid aliens. Of these 385 (52%) are already well established, 262 (35%) are casual records, while 98 species (13%) remain “questionable” records. The species cited in this work belong mostly to zoobenthos and in particular to Mollusca and Crustacea, while Fish and Phytobenthos are the next two groups which prevail among alien biota in the Mediterranean. The available information depends greatly on the taxonomic group examined. Thus, besides the three groups explicitly addressed in the CIESM atlas series (Fish, Decapoda/Crustacea and Mollusca), which are however updated in the present work, Polychaeta, Phytobenthos, Phytoplankton and Zooplankton are also addressed in this study. Among other zoobenthic taxa sufficiently covered in this study are Echinodermata, Sipuncula, Bryozoa and Ascidiacea. On the contrary, taxa such as Foraminifera, Amphipoda and Isopoda, that are not well studied in the Mediterranean, are insufficiently covered. A gap of knowledge is also noticed in Parasites, which, although ubiquitous and pervasive in marine systems, have been relatively unexplored as to their role in marine invasions. Conclusively the lack of funding purely systematic studies in the region has led to underestimation of the number of aliens in the Mediterranean. Emphasis is put on those species that are current or potential threats to the marine ecosystems, namely the Worst Invasive Alien Species providing their record across major groups.

scholarly journals A critical review of records of alien marine species from the Maltese Islands and surrounding waters (Central Mediterranean)

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. SCIBERRAS ◽  
P.J. SCHEMBRI
Keyword(s):  
Grey Literature ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Warming Trend ◽  
Caulerpa Racemosa ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Maltese Islands ◽  
Marine Traffic ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Percnon Gibbesi ◽  
Pacific Species

An updated list of alien marine species recorded from the Maltese Islands and surrounding waters, compiled from scientific and ‘grey’ literature and from authenticated unpublished reports to the authors, is presented. The listed species are classified in one of four categories as regards establishment status: established, casual, invasive and questionable. Doubtful records are listed as ‘?’. A total of 48 species, including nine dubious ones, are included in the list. Of the accepted records, 64% are established, of which 15.4% are invasive, 18% are casual and 18% are questionable. The most represented groups are molluscs (14 species), fish (13 species) and macrophytes (10 species). Six species are classified as invasive in Maltese waters: Lophocladia lallemandii, Womersleyella setacea, Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea, Percnon gibbesi, Fistularia commersonii and Sphoeroides pachygaster; impacts of some of these species on local ecosystems are discussed. Since the early 1900s, there has been an increasing trend in the number of alien marine species reported from the Maltese Islands. Transportation via shipping and in connection with aquaculture, as well as the range expansion of Lessepsian immigrants, appear to be the most common vectors for entry, accounting for 20%, 11% and 32% respectively of the alien species included in this review. The general warming trend of Mediterranean waters and increasing marine traffic may be facilitating the spread of warm-water Atlantic and Indo-Pacific species to the central Mediterranean, including the Maltese Islands.

scholarly journals Records of alien marine species in the shallow coastal waters of Chios Island (2009)

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. KATSANEVAKIS ◽  
K. TSIAMIS
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Benthic Species ◽  
Caulerpa Racemosa ◽  
Asparagopsis Taxiformis ◽  
Halophila Stipulacea ◽  
Percnon Gibbesi ◽  
Marine Alien Species

The shallow coastline of Chios Island was surveyed for the presence of any alien marine benthic species, during August 2009. Fourteen randomly selected sites were surveyed by snorkeling during standardized one-hour transects at depths between 0 and 10 m, and the presence of all identified alien benthic species was recorded. Six alien species were identified: Asparagopsis taxiformis, Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea, Stypopodium schimperi, Halophila stipulacea, Percnon gibbesi, and Siganus luridus. The green alga C. racemosa var. cylindracea was found in high densities in all the surveyed sites and was characterized as invasive in the island. The brown alga S. schimperi, the crab P. gibbesi, and the fish S. luridussustain established populations in the area. For three of the recorded marine alien species (S. schimperi, P. gibbesi, and S. luridus),Chios Island seems to be the northernmost margin of their geographical range in the Aegean Sea.

scholarly journals An assessment of the information content of South African alien species databases

Bothalia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn T. Faulkner ◽  
Dian Spear ◽  
Mark P. Robertson ◽  
Mathieu Rouget ◽  
John R.U. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Content ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Region Of Origin ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Introduction Pathway ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

National alien species databases indicate the state of a country’s biodiversity and provide useful data for research on invasion biology and the management of invasions. In South Africa there are several different published alien species databases, but these databases were created for different purposes and vary in completeness and information content. We assessed the information content of published South African alien species databases in the context of other such databases globally, and evaluated how the information content of South African databases varies across taxonomic groups. Although introduction pathway, date of introduction, region of origin and current broad-scale distribution data are available for most taxonomic groups assessed (60% – 90%), data on invasion status, introduction effort and introduction source are available for few taxonomic groups (5% – 18%). South African alien species databases have lower information content than the detailed databases available in other parts of the world and thus cannot be utilised to the same extent. We conclude with 11 recommendations for improving South African alien species databases. In particular, we highlight the data types that should be incorporated in future databases and argue that existing data should be collated in a single, standardised meta-database to facilitate cross-taxon comparisons, highlight gaps in effort, and inform managers and policy makers concerned with alien species.

scholarly journals Predicting the spread of marine species introduced by global shipping

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (20) ◽  
pp. 5646-5651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanno Seebens ◽  
Nicole Schwartz ◽  
Peter J. Schupp ◽  
Bernd Blasius
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Invasion History ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
The North ◽  
Spreading Dynamics ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Marine Alien Species

The human-mediated translocation of species poses a distinct threat to nature, human health, and economy. Although existing models calculate the invasion probability of any species, frameworks for species-specific forecasts are still missing. Here, we developed a model approach using global ship movements and environmental conditions to simulate the successive global spread of marine alien species that allows predicting the identity of those species likely to arrive next in a given habitat. In a first step, we simulated the historical stepping-stone spreading dynamics of 40 marine alien species and compared predicted and observed alien species ranges. With an accuracy of 77%, the model correctly predicted the presence/absence of an alien species in an ecoregion. Spreading dynamics followed a common pattern with an initial invasion of most suitable habitats worldwide and a subsequent spread into neighboring habitats. In a second step, we used the reported distribution of 97 marine algal species with a known invasion history, and six species causing harmful algal blooms, to determine the ecoregions most likely to be invaded next under climate warming. Cluster analysis revealed that species can be classified according to three characteristic spreading profiles: emerging species, high-risk species, and widespread species. For the North Sea, the model predictions could be confirmed because two of the predicted high-risk species have recently invaded the North Sea. This study highlights that even simple models considering only shipping intensities and habitat matches are able to correctly predict the identity of the next invading marine species.

scholarly journals Marine alien species in Greek Seas: Additions and amendments by 2010

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. ZENETOS ◽  
S. KATSANEVAKIS ◽  
D. POURSANIDIS ◽  
F. CROCETTA ◽  
D. DAMALAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Warm Water Species ◽  
Marine Alien Species ◽  
First Time ◽  
Water Species ◽  
Of Greece

An update of the inventory of alien marine species from the coastal and offshore waters of Greece is presented. Records were compiled based on the existing scientific and grey literature, including the HCMR database of Greek alien species (ELNAIS), technical reports, scientific congresses, academic dissertations, websites, and unpublished/personal observations. 47 species were added to the inventory, including 34 invertebrates, one vertebrate (fish), three plants, eight protozoa, and one cyanobacterium. With the new records, the inventory of alien marine species of Greece now includes a total of 237 species (33 macrophytes, 131 invertebrates, 42 vertebrates, two bacteria and 29 protozoans). Among these, the presence of the gastropodHypselodoris infucata, the bivalvesDendrostrea frons and Septifer forskaliand the chondrichthyan Rhizoprionodon acutus is reported here for the first time. Based on molecular analysis, the occurrence of Bulla arabica in Greek waters is confirmed, and the suggestion that previous records of Bulla ampulla in the Mediterranean should be considered as misidentification of B. arabica is further supported. The acclimitization status of earlier records was revised in the light of new data, and thus the fishEnchelycore anatina, Seriola fasciata andTylerius spinosissimus, the red algaeHypnea cornuta and Sarconema scinaioides, the scyphomedusaCassiopea andromeda, the cephalopodSepioteuthis lessoniana, the nudibranchChromodoris annulata and the bivalvesGastrochaena cymbium andPseudochama corbieri were upgraded from casual records to established populations. The increased rate of introductions of warm water species confirms previous findings, which link the rate of introduction in the eastern Mediterranean to climate change.

scholarly journals Marine alien species in Italy: A contribution to the implementation of descriptor D2 of the marine strategy framework directive

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
GIANNA SERVELLO ◽  
FRANCO ANDALORO ◽  
ERNESTO AZZURRO ◽  
LUCA CASTRIOTA ◽  
MARCELLO CATRA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Common Pathway ◽  
Marine Alien Species

The re-examination of marine alien species or Non-indigenous species (NIS) reported in Italian Seas by December 2018, is here provided, particularly focusing on establishment success, year of first record, origin, potential invasiveness, and likely pathways. Furthermore, their distribution is assessed according to marine subregions outlined by the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive: Adriatic Sea (ADRIA), Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea (CMED), and Western Mediterranean Sea (WMED). In Italy, 265 NIS have been detected with the highest number of species being recorded in the CMED (154 species) and the WMED (151 species), followed by the ADRIA (143). Most of these species were recorded in more than one subregion. The NIS that have established stable populations in Italian Seas are 180 (68%), among which 26 have exhibited invasive traits.Among taxa involved, Macrophyta rank first with 65 taxa. Fifty-five of them are established in at least one subregion, mostly in the ADRIA and the CMED. Crustacea rank second with 48 taxa, followed by Polychaeta with 43 taxa, Mollusca with 29 taxa, and Pisces with 28 taxa, which were mainly reported from the CMED. In the period 2012-2017, 44 new alien species were recorded, resulting in approximately one new entry every two months. Approximately half of the NIS (~52%) recorded in Italy have most likely arrived through the transport-stowaway pathway related to shipping traffic (~28% as biofoulers, ~22% in ballast waters, and ~2% as hitchhikers). The second most common pathway is the unaided movement with currents (~19%), followed by the transport-contaminant on farmed shellfishes pathway  (~18%). Unaided is the most common pathway for alien Fisshes, especially in CMED. Escapes from confinement account for ~3% and release in nature for ~2% of the NIS. The present NIS distribution hotspots for new introductions were defined on the first recipient area/location in Italy. In ADRIA the hotspot is Venice which accounts for the highest number of alien taxa introduced in Italy, with 50 newly recorded taxa. In the CMED, hotspots of introduction are the Taranto and Catania Gulfs, hosting 21 first records each. The Strait of Sicily represents a crossroad between the alien taxa from the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific area. In the WMED, hotspots of bioinvasions include the Gulfs of Naples, Genoa and Livorno.This review can serve as an updated baseline for future coordination and harmonization of monitoring initiatives under international, EU and regional policies, for the compilation of new data from established monitoring programs, and for rapid assessment surveys. 

scholarly journals ALIEN MARINE SPECIES OF LIBYA: FIRST INVENTORY AND NEW RECORDS IN EL-KOUF NATIONAL PARK (CYRENAICA) AND THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. BAZAIRI ◽  
Y.R. SGHAIER ◽  
I. BENAMER ◽  
H. LANGAR ◽  
G. PERGENT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Siganus Rivulatus ◽  
Marine Alien Species ◽  
Lagocephalus Sceleratus ◽  
Non Indigenous Species ◽  
Available Information

The presence of marine alien species in El-Kouf National Park and the neighbouring areas was assessed using a compilation of available information and observations, a field survey conducted on October 2010 in the framework of the MedMPAnet project and results of further monitoring during June and September 2012. A total of 9 alien species were reported: the Rhodophyta Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan de Saint-Léon, the Chlorophyta Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman & Boudouresque, the crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne-Edwards, 1853) and the fishes Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838, Siganus luridus (Rüppell, 1829), Siganus rivulatus Forsskål, 1775, Pempheris vanicolensis Cuvier, 1831, Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) and Sphyraena flavicauda Rüppell, 1838. Several of them were until now unknown for the National Park. The list of alien marine species of Libya is updated and discussed. Until now 63 marine aliens species were recorded along the Libyan coasts. These include 3 Foraminifera, 3 Ochrophyta, 5 Rhodophyta, 5 Chlorophyta, 1 Magnoliophyta, 11 Arthropoda, 13 Mollusca, 1 Echinodermata and 21 Chordata. Among these Non Indigenous Species, 43 are known as established along the Libyan coast including 8 invasive, 11 casual, 6 questionable, 3 cryptogenic and 1 unknown. An in-depth study of the marine organisms would substantially increase the number of alien species occurring in Libya. Monitoring of marine assemblages of MPAs is a valuable opportunity to go further into the knowledge of native and introduced species.

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