The invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis hosts a low diverse and less trophic structured molluscan assemblage compared with the native Ericaria brachycarpa

Mancuso, Francesca; D'agostaro, Riccardo; Milazzo, Marco; Chemello, Renato

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105279

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 84 publications

(136 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, current scientific knowledge supports that introduced macroalgae species in the Mediterranean cannot be an equivalent surrogate for Cystoseira s.l. forests [ 104 , 105 ]. Mitigation strategies, such as reducing grazing pressure by fishing alien rabbitfish and protecting top predators that control herbivores [ 106 ], may effectively restrict the loss of macroalgal forests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Fish and Sea Urchins Drive the Status of Canopy Forming Macroalgae in the Eastern Mediterranean

Nikolaou

Tsirintanis

Rilov

et al. 2023

Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Canopy-forming macroalgae, such as Cystoseira sensu lato, increase the three-dimensional complexity and spatial heterogeneity of rocky reefs, enhancing biodiversity and productivity in coastal areas. Extensive loss of canopy algae has been recorded in recent decades throughout the Mediterranean Sea due to various anthropogenic pressures. In this study, we assessed the biomass of fish assemblages, sea urchin density, and the vertical distribution of macroalgal communities in the Aegean and Levantine Seas. The herbivore fish biomass was significantly higher in the South Aegean and Levantine compared to the North Aegean. Very low sea urchin densities suggest local collapses in the South Aegean and the Levantine. In most sites in the South Aegean and the Levantine, the ecological status of macroalgal communities was low or very low at depths deeper than 2 m, with limited or no canopy algae. In many sites, canopy algae were restricted to a very narrow, shallow zone, where grazing pressure may be limited due to harsh hydrodynamic conditions. Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, we demonstrated that the presence of canopy algae is negatively correlated with the biomass of the invasive Siganus spp. and sea urchins. The loss of Cystoseira s.l. forests is alarming, and urgent conservation actions are needed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Fish and Sea Urchins Drive the Status of Canopy Forming Macroalgae in the Eastern Mediterranean

Nikolaou

Tsirintanis

Rilov

et al. 2023

Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Among coastal habitats, macroalgae beds are considerably vulnerable to human‐induced disturbances, because besides being directly affected by anthropogenic disturbances (Craveiro et al, 2021; Mancuso et al, 2021), many seaweed species can accumulate and then be negatively affected by multiple types of contaminants in their tissues, with consequences for the many invertebrate species that live associated with these habitats (Jeong & Ra, 2022; Martins et al, 2012; Roberts et al, 2008b). These animals depend on the seaweeds to obtain food resources, protection against predators, provision of more stable environmental conditions, and as reproductive sites (Christie et al, 2009; Thomaz & Cunha, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Species diversity, trophic structure, and taxonomic distinctness of molluscan assemblages associated with Sargassum beds in a historically impacted bay

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Anthropogenic impacts on coastal habitats can result in alterations of diversity parameters in marine invertebrate assemblages. Macroalgae beds are highly susceptible to human‐induced disturbances, supporting a great diversity of molluscan species and being ecologically important for coastal ecosystems. This study investigates the diversity alterations on Sargassum‐associated molluscan assemblages from areas with different distances from a main source of pollution within a historically impacted bay in Brazil. In general, sites closer to the pollution source presented lower species diversity, trophic diversity, and taxonomic relatedness among species. Beta diversity among assemblages was highly correlated with environmental differentiations among localities due to heavy metal concentrations in algal tissue. Bittiolum varium was the dominant species and was mainly responsible for differences in community parameters. Several trophic groups were well‐represented in Sargassum‐associated molluscan fauna, but assemblages were mostly dominated by micrograzers. A seasonal trend was observed in diversity alterations, with lower diversity during warm season at most sites except Santa Rita, possibly because it is the site less affected by human impacts. The importance of other environmental variables, such as hydrodynamism, for molluscan composition is also discussed. Our results highlight the potential of Sargassum‐associated molluscan assemblages for the study of impacted areas and reinforce the importance of using multiple community metrics to understand the biodiversity patterns of marine invertebrates under anthropogenic impacts.

show abstract

Concise review of the genus Asparagopsis Montagne, 1840

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis hosts a low diverse and less trophic structured molluscan assemblage compared with the native Ericaria brachycarpa

Cited by 7 publications

References 84 publications

Invasive Fish and Sea Urchins Drive the Status of Canopy Forming Macroalgae in the Eastern Mediterranean

Invasive Fish and Sea Urchins Drive the Status of Canopy Forming Macroalgae in the Eastern Mediterranean

Species diversity, trophic structure, and taxonomic distinctness of molluscan assemblages associated with Sargassum beds in a historically impacted bay

Concise review of the genus Asparagopsis Montagne, 1840

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About