Marine free living copepods can survive harsh periods and cope with seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions using resting eggs (embryonic dormancy). Laboratory experiments show that temperature is the common driver for resting egg production. Hence, we hypothesize (i) that seasonal temperature variation, rather than variation in food abundance is the main driver for the occurrence of the resting eggs strategy in marine and estuarine copepod species; and (ii) that the thermal boundaries of the distribution determine where resting eggs are produced and whether they are produced to cope with warm or cold periods. We compile literature information on the occurrence of resting egg production and relate this to spatio-temporal patterns in sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a concentration obtained from satellite observations. We find that the production of resting eggs has been reported for 42 species of marine free living copepods. Resting eggs are reported in areas with high seasonal variation in sea surface temperature (median range 11°C). Temporal variation in chlorophyll a concentrations, however, seems of less importance. Resting eggs are commonly produced to cope with both warm and cold periods and, depending on the species, they are produced at the upper or lower thermal boundaries of a species' distribution.
Most species of bryozoans have short-lived larvae with limited dispersal potential, yet many of these species possess global distributions. In this study, we report the first occurrence from the western Atlantic Ocean of the widely distributed arborescent bryozoan Tricellaria inopinata d 'Hondt and Occhipinti-Ambrogi, 1985. This species was collected in Eel Pond, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in September 2010. At that time, T. inopinata colonies had already formed dense conspecific aggregations at some collection sites, despite the presence of several other arborescent bryozoans. Sites were monitored throughout 2011 to track the success of this introduction, and to assess the reproductive timing of T. inopinata in Eel Pond. To determine the likelihood of T. inopinata persisting in Eel Pond and competing with previously established bryozoans, rates of metamorphic initiation, metamorphic completion, and overall offspring survivability were compared to one of the other dominant arborescent species. Finally, we provide taxonomic details to aid in identifying these animals, consider the potential mode of transport, and discuss the potential ecological implications resulting from this introduction.
Here we report the occurrence of the two non-native brown macroalgal species Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh and Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar in San Diego County and describe expansions in their ranges and new invasions on the California and Baja California coasts. Both species have exhibited characteristics of successful invaders: establishing in new areas, spreading locally, and persisting through multiple generations in areas that have been invaded. These species now occur primarily in harbors, but have also invaded open coast sites, suggesting that they can invade areas with relatively high wave action and with well-established native benthic communities. The rapid and uncontrolled spread of these species to date has serious implications for their expansion along the west coast of North America. The ecological and economic consequences of these invasions require further research.
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