A Preliminary inventory of alien and cryptogenic species in Monastir Bay, Tunisia: spatial distribution, introduction trends and pathways

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hotspot under threat. One of the major impacts on its biological resources and services comes from the invasiveness of non-indigenous species (NIS). Nevertheless, NIS monitoring programs in the south basin of the Mediterranean Sea are in an early implementation stage. This study aims to describe NIS and cryptogenic species distribution in Monastir Bay (Tunisia) and to identify risk areas for the introduction and spread of invasive species, providing a baseline for future monitoring programs. To this end, a series of Rapid Assessment Surveys were carried out to identify NIS and cryptogenic species in one marina, five fishing ports, two aquaculture farms and the Special Conservation Area of the Kuriat islands. 24 species were found, of which 11 constitute new records for Monastir Bay, which represent a 33.3% of the total NIS reported in this Bay. Assemblages differed between substrata types, being NIS more abundant in artificial than in natural substrata. Regarding locations, Cap Monastir Marina was the most invaded site, the most transited by vessels and the only one visited by international sailing. Hence, this marina constitutes the main risk area to be monitored, although the fishing ports and fishing farms in the semi-enclosed coastal lagoon of Monastir Bay can also be considered as risk areas. Nevertheless, more research effort is needed in Monastir Bay in order to update the records of NIS and cryptogenic species and increase insight on the ecological evolution of these species and their related impacts on natural communities and marine resources.

Monitoring Non-indigenous Species in Port Habitats: First Application of a Standardized North American Protocol in the Mediterranean Sea

“…In the Aegean Sea, Bariche et al (2020) reported for the first time a non-indigenous nudibranch, using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) protocol, proposed by Obst et al (2020). In the Southern Mediterranean Sea, Chebaane et al (2019) sampled through RAS fishing ports and marinas in Monastir Bay, Tunisia. Lastly, the broadest investigation of non-indigenous invertebrates in Mediterranean marinas was conducted by Ulman et al (2017) with both modified RAS and scrapes by hand-held rigid net.…”

Extraction, Characterization, and Anticoagulant Activity of a Sulfated Polysaccharide from Bursatella leachii Viscera

“…However, the extraction of sulfated polysaccharides from sea hares has thus far received little attention from scientists and researchers working in the area of marine natural products . The sea hare Bursatella leachii is a marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusk belonging to the Aplysiidae family. , It emerged as an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea in the mid-1900s. ,, …”

“…24,25 It emerged as an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea in the mid-1900s. 24,26,27 Compounds with an anti-HIV activity and antimalarial properties have been isolated from the purple fluid 28 and the internal organs of B. leachii, respectively. 29 economic fields.…”

From Plates to Baits: Using a Remote Video Foraging System to Study the Impact of Foraging on Fouling Non-Indigenous Species

“…Marinas and harbours are considered as hubs for enhanced NIS recruitment, as they are under greater pressure from maritime traffic and human activities than other natural and artificial coastlines [41][42][43]. These can serve as stepping stones for NIS introduction into local natural habitats since they serve as a refuge for arriving NIS [14,44,45].…”