Effects of the alien coral Tubastraea tagusensis on native coral assemblages in a southwestern Atlantic coral reef

Miranda, Ricardo J.; Cruz, Igor Cristino Silva; Barros, Francisco

doi:10.1007/s00227-016-2819-9

Cited by 82 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…Once established, invasive species can alter the structure of local communities, displacing and outcompeting native species (Vitousek, 1990; Mooney & Cleland, 2001; Lages, Fleury & Menegola, 2011; Cure et al, 2012; Santos, Ribeiro & Creed, 2013; Miranda, Cruz & Barros, 2016). In contrast to the native range, where Tubastraea is largely restricted to shaded or marginal habitats, studies on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have shown that both T. coccinea and T. micranthus are excellent competitors and can overgrow other species (Hennessey & Sammarco, 2014; Sammarco et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the native range, where Tubastraea is largely restricted to shaded or marginal habitats, studies on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have shown that both T. coccinea and T. micranthus are excellent competitors and can overgrow other species (Hennessey & Sammarco, 2014; Sammarco et al, 2015). Similarly, in Brazil, T. coccinea and T. tagusensis can cover up to 100% of the available surface in some areas (Mantellato et al, 2011), killing native and endemic coral species upon direct contact (Creed, 2006; Santos, Ribeiro & Creed, 2013; Mantellato & Creed, 2014; Miranda, Cruz & Barros, 2016). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clone wars: asexual reproduction dominates in the invasive range ofTubastraeaspp. (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the South-Atlantic Ocean

Capel

Toonen

Rachid

et al. 2017

PeerJ

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Although the invasive azooxanthellate corals Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis are spreading quickly and outcompeting native species in the Atlantic Ocean, there is little information regarding the genetic structure and path of introduction for these species. Here we present the first data on genetic diversity and clonal structure from these two species using a new set of microsatellite markers. High proportions of clones were observed, indicating that asexual reproduction has a major role in the local population dynamics and, therefore, represents one of the main reasons for the invasion success. Although no significant population structure was found, results suggest the occurrence of multiple invasions for T. coccinea and also that both species are being transported along the coast by vectors such as oil platforms and monobouys, spreading these invasive species. In addition to the description of novel microsatellite markers, this study sheds new light into the invasive process of Tubastraea.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clone wars: asexual reproduction dominates in the invasive range ofTubastraeaspp. (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the South-Atlantic Ocean

Capel

Toonen

Rachid

et al. 2017

PeerJ

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“…TSB coral reefs concentrate relatively high species richness and endemism for Brazil (Leão et al, 2003). Previous studies showed that the presence of the alien coral on Cascos Reef altered the native benthic assemblage structure likely by increasing the mortality of some native coral species through efficient competition (Miranda et al, 2016). Consequently, the expansion of the alien coral on TSB' coral reefs may reduce native coral cover and cause changes in the functional benthic group dominance (Cruz et al 2014) from hermatypic to ahermatypic coral, altering coral reef functioning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two species of Tubastraea were introduced in the Southwest Atlantic (Tubastraea tagusensis Wells, 1982 and Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829) where they are considered to be alien and invasive species, mainly because of their high fecundity , rapid linear skeletal growth (Wellington & Trench 1985), allelochemical defenses (Lages et al, 2010a, b) and competitive aggressiveness (dos Santos et al, 2013;Miranda et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This bay is considered a priority for conservation due to its high levels of coral endemism and to the great diversity of natural systems (Leão et al, 2003;Barros et al 2012a, b;Vila-Nova et al, 2014;Cruz et al, 2015). Previous studies in TSB have shown that this alien coral can modify the benthic assemblage structure on a coral reef site (Miranda et al, 2016). Therefore, an expansion of Tubastraea species on others reefs or even to other habitats (e.g., estuaries) can potentially modify biodiversity and eventually alters dynamics and functioning of the natural systems in TSB.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New records of the alien cup-corals (Tubastraea spp.) within estuarine and reef systems in Todos os Santos Bay, Southwestern Atlantic

et al. 2016

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Background: The alien cup-coral Tubastraea spp. has been increasingly reported in the Southwestern Atlantic since the 1980s. More recently it was observed on the East coast of Brazil, the area with the highest biodiversity in the Southwest Atlantic. In the present study, we report the actual distribution of Tubastraea tagusensis and Tubastraea coccinea around Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), an important system in the Southwest Atlantic coast. Results: We mapped the geographic expansion of Tubastraea tagusensis and Tubastraea coccinea at 11 sites in estuarine and 2 in reef systems at TSB. Conclusions: The findings from our study will contribute to monitor alien expansion and implement management actions to control these invasions on the Brazilian coast.

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Alien species in aquatic environments: a selective comparison of coastal and inland waters in tropical and temperate latitudes

Tricarico

Junqueira

Dudgeon

2016

Aquatic Conservation

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ABSTRACT1. Biological invasions have had severe impacts on ecosystems globally, particularly affecting freshwater habitats. In the aquatic realm, marine environments have received less attention from researchers than their freshwater counterparts, and comparisons of the relative susceptibility of coastal and inland waters to alien species and their consequential impacts are lacking.2. The main aim of this review is to assess the 'knowns and unknowns' for alien species in aquatic habitats, evaluating the possible differences and similarities in biological invasions between freshwater and marine (coastal) environments. Three study areas with different climates and histories of bioinvasion were selected for comparison: temperate Europe, tropical Asian Hong Kong, and Neotropical Brazil.3. Although there were differences in spatial scale and availability of data for the three areas, fresh waters seemed to be more susceptible to invasion -and experienced more impacts -than coastal habitats, at least in Hong Kong and partly in Europe. Despite information about alien species in aquatic environments having increased in recent years, regional inventories remain incomplete, especially in the tropics where rigorous studies of the impacts of invasive species are generally lacking.4. More systematic effort is needed to develop up-to-date national and regional inventories of invaders, especially in the seas and particularly in the more biodiverse tropics, where the conservation gains from preventing alien invasions could be substantially greater than in other regions. Greater efforts are also required to increase public awareness of the need to prevent the establishment of potentially invasive species.

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Effects of the alien coral Tubastraea tagusensis on native coral assemblages in a southwestern Atlantic coral reef

Cited by 82 publications

References 72 publications

Clone wars: asexual reproduction dominates in the invasive range ofTubastraeaspp. (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the South-Atlantic Ocean

Clone wars: asexual reproduction dominates in the invasive range ofTubastraeaspp. (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the South-Atlantic Ocean

New records of the alien cup-corals (Tubastraea spp.) within estuarine and reef systems in Todos os Santos Bay, Southwestern Atlantic

Alien species in aquatic environments: a selective comparison of coastal and inland waters in tropical and temperate latitudes

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