‘Impossible’ re-introduction of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791? Progress in resolving translocation mortality

Fa, Darren A.; Finlayson, Geraldine; Sempere-Valverde, Juan; Gómez, José Carlos García

doi:10.3354/esr00921

Cited by 8 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Such extracted AIMS were replaced with new ones after the first and second translocations, so the total number of AIMS in the donor population remained constant at 660. The AIMS were then introduced into a plastic container with a rubber base to avoid vibration, since it has been indicated that vibration could detach limpets (Fa et al, 2018). Finally, they were covered with towels soaked with marine water, introduced in a refrigerated truck at 16°C…”

Section: Translocation Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increasing interest in the conservation of this species has prompted previous translocations for conservation purposes or derived from engineering works in which repair of existing breakwaters or deployment of new ones have threatened local populations (Laborel-Deguen and Laborel, 1991b;Espinosa et al, 2008;APM (Autoridad Portuaria de Melilla), 2014;Fa et al, 2018;Zarrouk et al, 2018). Unfortunately, high mortality rates have often been observed, although the translocations made with the specimens attached to their own substrate have been proven most successful (Fa et al, 2018). Nevertheless, this approach based on moving entire boulders in a breakwater where the limpets are settled seems difficult to use for many individuals or over long distances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Joining technology and biology to solve conservation problems through translocation in the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea

et al. 2023

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The Anthropocene era is characterized by a biodiversity crisis, where many species are pushing to extinction, causing alteration of the stability in the ecosystems and loss of their services. In this context, the translocation of endangered species is a powerful resource in conservation as long as its goals and appropriateness are clearly stated and it matches unambiguous criteria. Patella ferruginea is one of the most endangered marine species in the Mediterranean, and several translocations have been made with limited results in terms of survival. A methodology that mimics the natural topography of the substrate in the donor population based on Artificial Inert Mobile Substrates (AIMS, 40x20x10 cm) is proposed for restocking purposes. Three different treatments were tested: on substrate, slope, and cantilever depending on the position in which the AIMS were deployed. A total of 660 AIMS were installed within the donor area. The installation of such AIMS did not negatively affect either donor or receiving populations. A total of 188 specimens were translocated in three different attempts in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and no mortality was observed during the translocation process that lasted 24 h. Survival through the medium and long-term for the translocated specimens ranged from 80.6 to 91.5% after one month, 55.5 to 80.9% after eight months, and 48.4 to 76.6% after one year, with survival in the control population being 91.6% after four months and 87.5% after one year. Overall, recruits showed higher survival values than adults, whereas substrate treatment hosted more specimens (both recruits and adults) than slope and cantilever ones, while recruits were more abundant on cantilever treatment. The methodology has been proven to be useful for restocking and reintroduction purposes between donor and receiving areas.

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Section: Translocation Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Joining technology and biology to solve conservation problems through translocation in the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea

et al. 2023

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“…Other actions related to harbour maintenance have generally resulted in high mortalities of P . ferruginea specimens (e.g., Espinosa et al, 2008) except for the recent paper by Fa et al (2018) in the Gibraltar harbour. For this reason, the Strategy of the Spanish Administration for P .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, several studies have shown high mortality in the translocation of P. ferruginea specimens from areas with still healthy populations ("donors") to others ("recipients") in which it was intended to reintroduce or reinforce P. ferruginea populations (see a summary in Luque et al, 2018). Other actions related to harbour maintenance have generally resulted in high mortalities of P. ferruginea specimens (e.g., Espinosa et al, 2008) except for the recent paper by Fa et al (2018) in the Gibraltar harbour. For this reason, the Strategy of the Spanish Administration for P. ferruginea advised against the translocation of specimens from natural populations, promoting less invasive methods, among which is the production of juveniles through aquaculture techniques (MMAMRM, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancements towards restoration of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 through controlled reproduction

Ferranti

Guallart

Fanciulli

et al. 2021

Aquaculture Research

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The ferruginous limpet is one of the most threatened invertebrate species in the Mediterranean Sea. Its controlled reproduction has been considered one of the potentially most effective strategies for the production of juveniles for population restocking or for recolonization of areas where the species was brought to extinction by human pressure but is now under protection (e.g., MPAs). This approach has been pursued for at least two decades but with partial results: at most, some juveniles have been obtained and have reached adult stage, yet not starting from spawning induction but through sacrifice of female specimens (lethal approach), additionally resulting in low genetic diversity of the juveniles produced. Herein, we describe, for the first time, positive results of the spawning induction in P. ferruginea. The fertilizations made after these experiences allow describing the larval development of the species from its early stages to its metamorphosis. The fertilization rate in these spawning events was much higher (>97%) than in previous studies that were based on the extraction of oocytes by dissection. The rate of non-anomalous larvae after 15 hours was not negligible but variable, depending perhaps on the quality of the sperm available at each fertilization. The timing of larval development of the species and its variability, particularly regarding metamorphosis, are described. Settlement ability is reached at 3-4 days after fertilization, depending on water temperature, while a large variability is observed in metamorphosis, occurring between 7 and 32 days (probably up to 40 days), although inducing factors are still unknown.

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“…Therefore, habitat fragmentation and the conservation status of many populations raise concerns for the species’ persistence and survival in the short as well as the long term. Quite a few studies have investigated the ecology and life-history of P. ferruginea [ 30 , 33 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ], some of which were aimed at favoring the reintroduction and/or restocking of natural populations [ 29 , 44 , 45 ]. By and large, the above studies, pointed out that the interplay between life-history traits, scarce density and habitat fragmentation might hinder recruitment, population connectivity and gene flow among populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Genetic Patterns in Endangered Marine Species Is Affected by Small Sample Sizes

Cossu

Mura

Dedola

et al. 2022

Animals

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Knowledge of Genetic diversity and its spatial distribution is crucial to improve conservation plans for endangered species. Genetic tools help ensure species’ long-term persistence by unraveling connectivity patterns and evolutionary trajectories of populations. Here, microsatellite genotypes of individuals from populations of Patella ferruginea are used to assess the effect of sample size on metrics of within-and between-population genetic diversity by combining empirical and simulated data. Within-population metrics are slightly to moderately affected by small sample size, albeit the magnitude of the bias is proportional to the effective population size and gene flow. The power of detecting genetic differentiation among populations increases with sample size, albeit the gain of increasing the number of sampled individuals tends to be negligible between 30 and 50. Our results line up with those of previous studies and highlight that small sample sizes are not always a hindrance to investigating genetic patterns in endangered marine species. Caution is needed in interpreting genetic patterns based on small sample sizes when the observed genetic differentiation is weak. This study also highlights the importance of carrying out genetic monitoring in seemingly well-preserved but potentially isolated populations.

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‘Impossible’ re-introduction of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791? Progress in resolving translocation mortality

Cited by 8 publications

References 42 publications

Joining technology and biology to solve conservation problems through translocation in the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea

Joining technology and biology to solve conservation problems through translocation in the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea

Advancements towards restoration of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 through controlled reproduction

Detection of Genetic Patterns in Endangered Marine Species Is Affected by Small Sample Sizes

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