Evaluation of the sea anemoneAnthothoe albocinctaas an augmentative biocontrol agent for biofouling on artificial structures

Abstract

Augmentative biocontrol, defined as the use of indigenous natural enemies to control pest populations, has not been explored extensively in marine systems. This study tested the potential of the anemone Anthothoe albocincta as a biocontrol agent for biofouling on submerged artificial structures. Biofouling biomass was negatively related to anemone cover. Treatments with high anemone cover (>35%) led to significant changes in biofouling assemblages compared to controls. Taxa that contributed to these changes differed among sites, but included reductions in cover of problematic fouling organisms, such as solitary ascidians and bryozoans. In laboratory trials, A. albocincta substantially prevented the settlement of larvae of the bryozoan Bugula neritina when exposed to three levels of larval dose, suggesting predation as an important biocontrol mechanism, in addition to space pre-emption. This study demonstrated that augmentative biocontrol using anemones has the potential to reduce biofouling on marine artificial structures, although considerable further work is required to refine this tool before its application.

Charged hydrophilic polymer brushes and their relevance for understanding marine biofouling

“…The fact that propagules of marine fouling organisms settle and attach easily on immersed untreated solid surfaces, while many slimy or gel-like surfaces, such as marine algae (Bhadury & Wright 2004) and sea anemones (Atalah et al 2013) are more resistant to epibiosis, has inspired to explore the potential of hydrogels and other highly hydrophilic materials for the control of marine biofouling (Ekblad et al 2008, Larsson et al 2007, Yandi et al 2014, and for informing the development of useful coatings. The prevention of epibiosis of marine organisms is sometimes the combined result of a strongly hydrated surface and, for example, secretion of substances with antifouling activity by the basibiont (Dobretsov et al 2013, Fusetani 2004, Rickert et al 2015, continuous production of mucus (Wahl et al 1998), or other specifically developed antifouling mechanisms.…”

Eco-engineered rock pools: a concrete solution to biodiversity loss and urban sprawl in the marine environment

“…The colonisation of artificial structures by nonnative species is one of the drivers of global biotic homogenisation (Mineur et al 2012, Simkanin et al 2013 and is one of the biggest concerns of coastal managers (Evans et al 2016b). Traditional methods of mechanical and chemical removal can be expensive and have negative effects on the surrounding environment (Caffrey et al 2010, Atalah et al 2013. Recently there has been a move towards biological control through the introduction of natural predators (e.g.…”

Preliminary Assessment of Biofouling on Offshore Mussel Farms

“…). This species is not of operational significance, and in fact, anemones may have potential for “biocontrol” in terms of limiting the establishment of other problematic species (Atalah et al ). Importantly, the Opotiki farm lacked some of the short‐dispersing problematic species typically encountered inshore.…”