The occurrence of the colonial ascidian Didemnum sp. on Georges Bank gravel habitat — Ecological observations and potential effects on groundfish and scallop fisheries

Valentine, Page C.; Collie, Jeremy S.; Reid, Robert; Asch, Rebecca G.; Guida, Vincent G.; Blackwood, Dann S.

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2006.10.038

Cited by 83 publications

(42 citation statements)

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“…A rise in monopolization of the substrate by ahermatyphic organisms, such as ascidians, may reduce coral cover by preventing planulae from settling and decreasing the availability of the substrate for coral growth (Aronson et al 2002). The increasing evidence of the negative effects of rapid overgrowth by ascidians (Bullard et al 2007, Dijkstra et al 2007, Valentine et al 2007) and their ability to alter marine communities and economically affect commercially important activities, such as fishing and aquaculture (Bourque et al 2007), highlights the need to include this group in coral reef monitoring programs worldwide. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Population dynamics of a coral reef ascidian in a deteriorating environment

Shenkar¹,

Bronstein

Loya³

2008

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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In the coral reefs of Eilat, a newly described colonial ascidian, Botryllus eilatensis, has been observed overgrowing dead coral skeletons and rapidly colonizing artificial substrates. To study overgrowth dynamics and the relationship between coral morphology, size, and orientation and ascidian overgrowth we monitored (monthly) the interaction of 50 to 70 tagged coral colonies with B. eilatensis. The rate of B. eilatensis overgrowth on corals was influenced by the coral's morphology and orientation combined with a seasonal appearance of the ascidian. During spring, the average ascidian cover was 27 ± 4.6 % (mean ± SE), decreasing rapidly during the summer months when sexual reproduction took place. This seasonality is linked to the vertical mixing phenomenon that occurs in Eilat every winter. Moreover, fragments of B. eilatensis translocated to a nutrient-rich site increased 3-fold in size and exhibited higher survivorship rates in comparison to the fragments at the original site. Increased anthropogenic activity, particularly the eutrophication occurring along the Israeli coasts, creates favorable conditions for filter-feeding organisms such as ascidians, providing them with an advantage in competition for space over reef-building corals and other organisms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These characteristics, combined with a lack of significant predators, make ascidians very successful competitors (Lambert 2002). The rapid spread of several ascidian species in both tropical and temperate regions of the world is of growing concern (Lambert 2002, Paulay et al 2002, Blum et al 2007, Valentine et al 2007). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population dynamics of a coral reef ascidian in a deteriorating environment

Shenkar¹,

Bronstein

Loya³

2008

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…These results have led to the hypothesis that natural fragmentation of tendrils greatly increases the dispersal and invasibility of D. vexillum through tendril detachment, transport, and reattachment (Minchin & Sides 2006, Bullard et al 2007a, Lambert 2009, Martin et al 2011. Reattachment rates and times have been tested several times in the laboratory and in the field for mechanically produced fragments of encrusting colonies (Bullard et al 2007b, Valentine et al 2007b, Hopkins et al 2011, Carman et al 2014). However, rates of natural detachment and reattachment of tendrils have never been quantified.…”

Section: Life History Attributes Of a Global Invader: Factors Contribmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…D. vexillum readily grows on natural and artificial substrates, including rock (Gittenberger 2007, Osman & Whitlatch 2007, cobble−gravel (Valentine et al 2007b), eelgrass (Carman & Grunden 2010), pilings (Carman & Grunden 2010), and aquaculture gear (Lambert 2009). The presence of D. vexillum can cause serious problems for aquaculture operations (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Life history attributes of a global invader: factors contributing to the invasion potential of Didemnum vexillum

Stefaniak

Whitlatch²

2014

Aquat. Biol.

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Investigating the widespread introduction of a tropical marine fouling species

Sheets

Cohen

Ruiz

et al. 2016

Ecology and Evolution

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Little is known about the number and rate of introductions into terrestrial and marine tropical regions, and if introduction patterns and processes differ from temperate latitudes. Botryllid ascidians (marine invertebrate chordates) are an interesting group to study such introduction differences because several congeners have established populations across latitudes. While temperate botryllid invasions have been repeatedly highlighted, the global spread of tropical Botrylloides nigrum (Herdman, 1886) has been largely ignored. We sampled B. nigrum from 16 worldwide warm water locations, including around the Panama Canal, one of the largest shipping hubs in the world and a possible introduction corridor. Using mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (ANT) markers, we discovered a single species with low genetic divergence and diversity that has established in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indo‐Pacific, and Mediterranean Oceans. The Atlantic Ocean contained the highest diversity and multilocus theta estimates and may be a source for introductions to other regions. A high frequency of one mitochondrial haplotype was detected in Pacific populations that may represent a recent introduction in this region. In comparison to temperate relatives, B. nigrum displayed lower (but similar to temperate Botrylloides violaceus) genetic divergence and diversity at both loci that may represent a more recent global spread or differences in introduction pressures in tropical regions. Additionally, chimeras (genetically distinct individuals sharing a single body) were detected in three populations by the mitochondrial locus and validated using cloning, and these individuals contained new haplotype diversity not detected in any other colonies.

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The occurrence of the colonial ascidian Didemnum sp. on Georges Bank gravel habitat — Ecological observations and potential effects on groundfish and scallop fisheries

Cited by 83 publications

References 1 publication

Population dynamics of a coral reef ascidian in a deteriorating environment

Population dynamics of a coral reef ascidian in a deteriorating environment

Life history attributes of a global invader: factors contributing to the invasion potential of Didemnum vexillum

Investigating the widespread introduction of a tropical marine fouling species

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