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Biology
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Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea
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Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 13963

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Claudia Cosentino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Interests: ecology and paleoecology; climatic variations; paleoecological and paleoclimatic reconstructions; biodiversity; benthonic and planktonic foraminifera

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Alien organisms are plants and animals that, due to human intervention, have reached and colonized areas far from their sites of origin.

If these species find a favourable habitat and develop to the extent that they partially or completely replace the local biodiversity, they are referred to as "invasive".

The Mediterranean Sea hosts thousands of alien species of exotic origin from a wide range of categories, including algae, annelids, fishes, jellyfishes, crustaceans, zooplankton and phytoplankton, molluscs, bryozoans, etc.

Studies have revealed that some harbours of the Mediterranean Sea are home to many marine species native to Japan, the Galapagos and North America that arrived via international boats, living in the ballast waters of ships or in encrustations in the ship keels.

Furthermore, the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869 created an artificial connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, allowing marine organisms of tropical affinity to enter the Mediterranean. These organisms are finding a favourable habitat in the Mediterranean due to the increase in the surface temperature of the marine waters and proliferate enormously, conquering ever wider distribution areas and moving progressively from east to west.

While this situation risks upsetting local communities and compromising local biodiversity, it could also have positive implications. According to recent studies, some species of very invasive macroforaminiferi (i.e., Amphistegina), which build a thick carbonate shell, may be able to counteract the negative effects of ocean acidification.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide the scientific community with a broad view of the alien marine species currently living in the Mediterranean Sea, including both macro and microorganisms, as well as zooplankton and phytoplankton. Manuscript that deal with new reports of alien marine organisms and the impacts of alien species on local communities are warmly encouraged.

Dr. Claudia Cosentino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • marine organisms
  • ecology and paleoecology
  • biodiversity
  • Mediterranean ecosystem

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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35 pages, 3639 KiB  
Article
Virgulinella fragilis in the North Adriatic Coastal Sediments: A New Non-Indigenous Benthic Foraminiferal Taxon?
by Roberta D’Onofrio, Maria Letizia Vitelletti, Francesco Riminucci, Veronica Rossi and Lucilla Capotondi
Biology 2025, 14(4), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040421 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 251
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is considered a hotspot for bioinvaders. Nonetheless, information on non-indigenous benthic foraminifera is still fragmented. This study documents for the first time the presence along the northwestern Adriatic coast of the non-indigenous benthic foraminifera species Virgulinella fragilis, Grindell and [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean Sea is considered a hotspot for bioinvaders. Nonetheless, information on non-indigenous benthic foraminifera is still fragmented. This study documents for the first time the presence along the northwestern Adriatic coast of the non-indigenous benthic foraminifera species Virgulinella fragilis, Grindell and Collen (1976). Due to the low abundance recorded in the study area, the presence of this species may represent an early colonization phase. We discuss the temporal and spatial patterns of V. fragilis arrival in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, and we hypothesize stowaway transport (via ship fouling or ballast water) as the main introduction pathway. Morphological test analyses suggest that V. fragilis prefers a low oxygen content, consistent with the ecological requirements reported for this taxon in the literature. The application of Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling indicates that the key factor influencing the presence of V. fragilis in the Mediterranean basin is the bacterial concentration expressed as NO3. Projections under future climate scenarios (RCP 4.5) point to a decline of habitat suitability conditions, making widespread invasion unlikely in the Mediterranean. We emphasize the importance of continuous biomonitoring for early detection of alien species, improving our understanding of invasion dynamics and enabling prompt conservation actions, especially in regions impacted by anthropogenic activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea)
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25 pages, 8871 KiB  
Article
Abundance, Size Structure, and Growth of the Invasive Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Lesina Lagoon, Southern Adriatic Sea
by Giorgio Mancinelli, Nicola Lago, Tommaso Scirocco, Oscar Antonio Lillo, Raffaele De Giorgi, Lorenzo Doria, Emanuele Mancini, Francesco Mancini, Luigi Potenza and Lucrezia Cilenti
Biology 2024, 13(12), 1051; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121051 - 15 Dec 2024
Viewed by 2362
Abstract
The fishery biology of the invasive Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus in the Mediterranean Sea outside the eastern sectors of the basin has been only recently investigated. Here we studied the population of C. sapidus in the Lesina Lagoon (Adriatic Sea, SE Italy). [...] Read more.
The fishery biology of the invasive Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus in the Mediterranean Sea outside the eastern sectors of the basin has been only recently investigated. Here we studied the population of C. sapidus in the Lesina Lagoon (Adriatic Sea, SE Italy). In total, 838 crabs were captured monthly between February 2021 and January 2022 using fyke nets. Abundances varied seasonally with catches per unit effort ranging between 0 and 1.76 crabs fyke nets−1 d−1 in winter and summer. Spatial abundances estimated in summer by a Carle–Strub procedure ranged between 0.06 and 0.64 crabs m−2. The sex ratio (♂/♀) was close to 1:1; males prevailed only in August and September; ovigerous females occurred from April to August. The males’ size at morphological maturity was smaller than females (110.6–112.3 mm vs. 122.1–123.1 mm). Seasonal von Bertalanffy growth parameters indicated that, compared with males, females showed a shorter maximum lifespan (5 vs. 8 years), a higher growth coefficient K (0.6 vs. 0.4 y−1) and growth performance index Ф’ (4.6 vs. 4.3), while maximum sizes CW∞ (237.8 vs. 232.6 mm) and seasonality indices C (0.62 vs. 0.57) were similar. Furthermore, females showed higher natural and fishing mortalities and exploitation rate. We discussed the results of the present study in the context of the available literature to provide a valuable basis for the implementation of standardized Mediterranean-scale management plans, matching exploitation of C. sapidus with sustainable conservation of coastal ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea)
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26 pages, 4375 KiB  
Article
When Nature Requires a Resource to Be Used—The Case of Callinectes sapidus: Distribution, Aggregation Patterns, and Spatial Structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and Adjacent Waters
by Luca Castriota, Manuela Falautano and Patrizia Perzia
Biology 2024, 13(4), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13040279 - 19 Apr 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3134
Abstract
The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, which is native to the western Atlantic coast and listed among the 100 most invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea, is attracting a great deal of interest because of its rapid colonisation of new areas, [...] Read more.
The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, which is native to the western Atlantic coast and listed among the 100 most invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea, is attracting a great deal of interest because of its rapid colonisation of new areas, the significant increase in its population, and the impacts it may have on ecosystems and ecosystem services. Outside its natural distribution range, the species was first found on European Atlantic coasts in the early 1900s and was introduced into the Mediterranean Sea a few decades later, probably through ballast water. Currently, it is found in almost the entire Mediterranean Basin and is also expanding into the Black Sea and along the north African and Iberian Atlantic coasts. Based on a systematic review of C. sapidus occurrences, this study describes its distribution, aggregation patterns, and spatial structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and adjacent waters through a series of ecological indicators elaborated using GIS spatial–temporal statistics. The main results highlight that the species is expanding in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, while in northern Europe, the population remains confined in some areas. Furthermore, the main species detection methods are analysed, finding that traps and nets are the most frequently used methods, and management suggestions are provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea)
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13 pages, 2016 KiB  
Article
New Record of Dendronephthya sp. (Family: Nephtheidae) from Mediterranean Israel: Evidence for Tropicalization?
by Hagai Nativ, Ori Galili, Ricardo Almuly, Shai Einbinder, Dan Tchernov and Tali Mass
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091220 - 8 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3242
Abstract
Bio-invasions have the potential to provoke cascade effects that can disrupt natural ecosystems and cause ecological regime shifts. The Mediterranean Sea is particularly prone to bio-invasions as the changing water conditions, evoked by climate change, are creating advantageous conditions for Lessepsian migrants from [...] Read more.
Bio-invasions have the potential to provoke cascade effects that can disrupt natural ecosystems and cause ecological regime shifts. The Mediterranean Sea is particularly prone to bio-invasions as the changing water conditions, evoked by climate change, are creating advantageous conditions for Lessepsian migrants from the Red Sea. Recently, in May 2023, a new alien species was documented in the Mediterranean Sea—a soft coral of the genus Dendronephthya. This discovery was made by divers conducting ‘Long-Term Ecological Research’ surveys, along the coast of Israel, at a depth of 42 m. Genetic and morphological testing suggest that the species identity may be Dendronepthya hemprichi, an Indo-Pacific coral, common in the Red Sea. According to life history traits of this species, such as accelerated attachment to available surfaces and fast growth, we expect it to rapidly expand its distribution and abundance across the Mediterranean Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea)
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21 pages, 3727 KiB  
Article
Using Local Ecological Knowledge to Search for Non-Native Species in Natura 2000 Sites in the Central Mediterranean Sea: An Approach to Identify New Arrivals and Hotspot Areas
by Patrizia Perzia, Tiziana Cillari, Giuseppe Crociata, Alan Deidun, Manuela Falautano, Giulio Franzitta, Johann Galdies, Teresa Maggio, Pietro Vivona and Luca Castriota
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091158 - 23 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2160
Abstract
The management of biological invasions is among the most urgent of global challenges and requires a significant monitoring effort to obtain the information needed to take the appropriate decisions. To complement standard monitoring, citizen science is increasingly being used. Within citizen science, the [...] Read more.
The management of biological invasions is among the most urgent of global challenges and requires a significant monitoring effort to obtain the information needed to take the appropriate decisions. To complement standard monitoring, citizen science is increasingly being used. Within citizen science, the approach of collecting and investigating Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) proved to be useful in the monitoring of non-native species. A LEK survey was carried out in 10 Sicilian and Maltese Natura 2000 sites in order to help in the early detection of non-native species. The survey was addressed to local fishers and SCUBA divers in order to investigate the occurrence of 24 selected marine non-native species and to identify potential hotspot areas of invasion through the use of six indicators: the occurrence of newly introduced nonindigenous species, the cumulative impacts of invasive alien species (CIMPAL) and the relative importance of species on the cumulative impacts (D1, D2, D3, and D4). The respondents confirmed the presence of 22 species since the year 2000 and reported 10 new ones registered in the investigated areas. The highest CIMPAL value was observed in two Sicilian Natura 2000 sites (ITA090028 and ITA040014) and the lowest on the western coast of Malta (MT0000101, MT0000102, MT0000103, and MT0000104) The four top-priority species according to indicators D1–D4 were Caulerpa cylindracea, C. taxifolia, Siganus luridus and S. rivulatus. The study produced a valid and useful scientific output to suggest and address management strategies to monitor the establishment of the non-native species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea)
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8 pages, 5548 KiB  
Brief Report
First Report of the Thermophilic Thalassoma Pavo (Linnaeus, 1758) on the Central Adriatic Coast of Italy, in Abruzzo
by Alessio Arbuatti, Alessandra Di Serafino and Pia Lucidi
Biology 2024, 13(12), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13120987 - 29 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
The Trabocchi Coast in the Chieti district of the mid-Adriatic (Italy) is one of the few rocky areas within the General Fisheries Commission GSA 17, alongside Mount Conero (Ancona 43°00′01″ N 13°52′13″ E) and the small San Nicola Rock (Ascoli Piceno; 43°32′0″ N [...] Read more.
The Trabocchi Coast in the Chieti district of the mid-Adriatic (Italy) is one of the few rocky areas within the General Fisheries Commission GSA 17, alongside Mount Conero (Ancona 43°00′01″ N 13°52′13″ E) and the small San Nicola Rock (Ascoli Piceno; 43°32′0″ N 13°36′0″ E). This coastline is known for its biodiversity-rich bays, inlets, and submerged cliffs. Since 2015, annual biodiversity surveys have been conducted in the area, focusing on marine species richness and the identification of non-native species. In September 2024, a juvenile ornate wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) was documented for the first time in the middle Adriatic during an underwater visual survey at Trabocco Punta Torre, a key site along the Trabocchi Coast near artificial and biogenic reefs. This record extends the known distribution of T. pavo, a thermophilic species previously reported only along the southern Adriatic coast of Puglia. This is the first confirmed sighting on the middle and northern Adriatic coast of Italy. The discovery highlights the importance of ongoing biodiversity monitoring to track changes in marine ecosystems, particularly as the Adriatic Sea faces environmental shifts linked to climate warming. The presence of T. pavo in this area suggests the potential for the species to establish populations in previously uninhabited northern regions. Further research is needed to explore the role of biotic and abiotic factors—such as water temperature, current patterns, and habitat availability—in the survival and potential reproduction of T. pavo in the middle Adriatic. The observation contributes to the broader understanding of the meridionalization process in the Adriatic Sea, where rising water temperatures are facilitating the northward expansion of thermophilic species. Continuous monitoring is recommended to assess the long-term viability of T. pavo populations in the Adriatic Sea and better predict the impacts of ongoing climate change on marine biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean Sea)
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