Four new alien species on the coasts of Greece (Eastern Mediterranean)

Abstract

This study reports four alien polychaete species new to the marine fauna of Greece, four of which are aliens. These species are -Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata (family Spionidae), Paraprionospio coora (family Spionidae), Marphysa disjuncta (family Eunicidae), and Chaetozone corona (family Cirratulidae). Another species of Chaetozone, though not an alien one, Chaetozone gibber is reported here from Greek waters. All of them have been currently reported from the coasts of Turkey (Aegean or Levantine Seas). Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata and Marphysa disjuncta, probably introduced to the region through ballast waters, seem to be well established in the Mediterranean Sea. Chaetozone corona and Paraprionospio coora were considered to be cryptogenic. Pseudolydora paucibranchiata was found in great densities in a very disturbed site, confirming the opportunistic character of this species. Chaetozone corona and Chaetozone gibber showed a wider distribution pattern, though their abundance increased in disturbed sites. Marphysa disjuncta was found in disturbed as well as in undisturbed sites along the coasts of Greece and Paraprionospio coora is characteristic of moderate to higher depth zones. These new findings increase the number of polychaete species from the Hellenic Seas to 777 species and the number of alien species to 33.

Marine alien species in Greek Seas: Additions and amendments by 2010

“…B are currently identified as C. corona. Thus, C. corona shows a wide distribution in North Evvoikos Gulf, Thermaikos Gulf, Kyklades and Kriti in disturbed and undisturbed sites (SIMBOURA et al, 2010).…”

“…In Greece P. paucibranchiata was found in Larymna Bay (Evvoikos Gulf, Aegean Sea). It was also found casually among the endofauna of a Zostera meadow in Geras Gulf (Lesvos Island) and in Elefsis Bay (Saronikos Gulf) (SIMBOURA et al, 2010).…”

“…According to SIMBOURA et al (2010), earlier records designated as Chaetozone sp. B are currently identified as C. corona.…”

“…In Greece Marphysa disjuncta was found in North Evvoikos Gulf (Aegean Sea) at 80 m depth on mud mixed with metalliferous waste (slag), in the caldera of Santorini island (Kyklades, Aegean Sea) at 316 m depth on muddy gravel of volcanic material, and in Saronikos Gulf at 60-70 m depth in muddy sandy sediments (SIMBOURA et al, 2010). Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata was originally described from Japan and the Pacific Ocean and its establishment in the Mediterranean was attributed to ballast waters (DAGLI & INAR, 2008).…”

“…Systematic study of Foraminifera in the Greek Aegean Sea has provided additional data on the distributional range of alien Foraminifera in the Eastern Mediterranean (KOUKOUSIOURA et al, 2010). SIMBOURA et al (2010) reported cases of alien Polychaeta species that were previously collected but had not been identified until recently, or species not classified as aliens (ZENETOS et al, 2009a) although they were present in Greek check lists.…”