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Water
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Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment
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Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 20475

Special Issue Editor

Dr. María Pilar Cabezas Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
Interests: changes in species distribution and their relation with human activity; cryptic species; DNA metabarcoding; marine biodiversity; monitoring; morphological and molecular taxonomy of marine invertebrates; next-generation sequencing; non-indigenous species
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The ever-increasing volume of maritime traffic and aquaculture activities, fostered by the rapid globalization, are drastically accelerating the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species (NIS). These species might become invasive, threatening biodiversity and affecting ecosystem services, which may result in significant impacts for the economy and human well-being. Consequently, national and international policies have been adopted to manage this global problem. Despite the fact that some progress has been made, the control of biological invasions in the marine environment is still in its infancy, and is mainly hampered by (i) incomplete and inaccurate data availability on species distributions, vectors and introduction pathways; (ii) dispersed information across different unstandardized datasets; (iii) cumulative time lags in detection and reporting of NIS; (iv) a lack of comprehensive information on the impacts of these species on native communities; and (v) the existence of important gaps in taxonomic knowledge, especially for smaller taxa (‘’hidden invaders’’), early life stages (larvae, immature) and cryptic species.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide new data (molecular, morphological, biological, ecological, etc.) to contribute to the knowledge of biological invasions in the marine environment. In addition to providing new NIS records, it will provide crucial insights into (i) non-indigenous and native species abundance and diversity; (ii) identification of taxonomically complicated taxa; (iii) the population structure, dispersal capability and population connectivity of NIS; (iv) the origin and distribution range of these species; (v) patterns of introduction, colonization and spread, including the characterization of the main responsible vectors; (vi) the biotic and abiotic factors involved in their establishment success and subsequent spread; (vii) the invasive potential of species; (viii) current and long-term impacts on recipient communities; and (ix) monitoring and management strategies to ensure the early detection of NIS and prevent their further spread.

Dr. María Pilar Cabezas Rodríguez
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. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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

  • Early detection
  • First record
  • Introduction pattern
  • Invasiveness
  • Impact assessment
  • Management and monitoring
  • Marine biodiversity
  • Morphological and molecular approaches
  • Taxonomy
  • Vectors and pathways of introduction.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1400 KiB  
Article
The First Record of Non-Indigenous Cladoceran Evadne nordmanni Lovén, 1836 (Cladocera, Podonidae) in the Middle Part of the Caspian Sea
by Moldir Aubakirova, Elena Krupa, Igor Magda, Saule Zh. Assylbekova, Almat Abayev, Berdibek Abilov, Artur Tumenov, Kuanysh B. Isbekov and Zhanara Mazhibayeva
Water 2022, 14(18), 2818; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14182818 - 10 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1545
Abstract
The introduction and spread of non-indigenous species may have ecological, environmental and economic impacts where they invade. This work aims to study the morphological characteristics, the quantitative variables, the possibility of coexistence with other native species and the pathways of introduction of non-indigenous [...] Read more.
The introduction and spread of non-indigenous species may have ecological, environmental and economic impacts where they invade. This work aims to study the morphological characteristics, the quantitative variables, the possibility of coexistence with other native species and the pathways of introduction of non-indigenous cladoceran Evadne nordmanni (Lovén, 1836) in the middle part of the Caspian Sea. Ballast water is a possible vector for the introduction of cladoceran Evadne nordmanni into the Caspian Sea. The abundance of Evadne nordmanni in all surveyed areas reached an average of 799 individuals/m3. Its biomass was 257.58 mg/m3. Evadne nordmanni significantly contributes to the abundance and biomass of zooplankton in the Middle Caspian Sea. The proportion of the dominant calanoida Acartia tonsa decreased from 71–90% to 40% with the appearance of Evadne nordmanni. Further investigations are needed to analyze the responsible route of Evadne nordmanni introduction to the Caspian Sea and its consequences on biodiversity; since this species is a predator and could have consequences on the feeding conditions of planktivorous fish in the Caspian Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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16 pages, 1895 KiB  
Article
Colonization Dynamics of Potential Stowaways Inhabiting Marinas: Lessons from Caprellid Crustaceans
by Triana Revanales, José M. Guerra-García and Macarena Ros
Water 2022, 14(17), 2659; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172659 - 28 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1687
Abstract
Despite the fact that stowaway transport is an increasingly common invasion pathway, its key ecological aspects, such as colonization dynamics of potential invaders on human transport vectors, are poorly understood. Considering that marinas may function as stepping-stone habitats for the spread of marine [...] Read more.
Despite the fact that stowaway transport is an increasingly common invasion pathway, its key ecological aspects, such as colonization dynamics of potential invaders on human transport vectors, are poorly understood. Considering that marinas may function as stepping-stone habitats for the spread of marine invaders, they provide a unique opportunity for understanding the first steps in the stowaway pathway. One of the dominant groups inhabiting marinas are caprellid crustaceans. These small invertebrates have demonstrated a high potential for introduction and establishment far beyond their distribution range. Here, we analyzed the colonization dynamics of caprellid species inhabiting marinas of Cádiz Bay (Spain) on plastic collectors and discussed their implications on invasion success. We found that collectors largely mirrored the resident caprellid community assemblages after just one month of deployment, showing that caprellid species inhabiting marina structures have a high capacity to colonize new artificial substrates. Moreover, the two non-indigenous species found, Caprella scaura and Paracaprella pusilla, successfully established dense and well-structured populations in the collectors (including all sex/age groups considered). We suggest a potential interplay between colonization ability and stowaway organisms’ invasion success. Furthermore, collectors used are supported as a useful tool in the early detection of non-indigenous species and their monitoring in relation to resident species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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11 pages, 1816 KiB  
Article
Importance of Anthropogenic Determinants of Tubastraea coccinea Invasion in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
by Emily E. Brockinton, Miranda R. Peterson, Hsiao-Hsuan Wang and William E. Grant
Water 2022, 14(9), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091365 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2256
Abstract
Tubastraea coccinea is an invasive coral that has had ecological, economic, and social impacts in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Tubastraea coccinea is considered a major threat to marine biodiversity, whose occurrence in its non-native range [...] Read more.
Tubastraea coccinea is an invasive coral that has had ecological, economic, and social impacts in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Tubastraea coccinea is considered a major threat to marine biodiversity, whose occurrence in its non-native range has been associated with artificial structures such as oil/gas platforms and shipwrecks. A recent species distribution model identified important determinants of T. coccinea invasion in the northern GoM and projected its potential range expansion. However, the potential effects of anthropogenic factors were not considered. We used boosted regression trees to develop a species distribution model investigating the importance of oil/gas platforms and shipping fairways as determinants of T. coccinea invasion in the northern GoM. Our results indicate that maximum salinity, distance to platform, minimum nitrate, and mean pH were the first to fourth most influential variables, contributing 31.9%, 23.5%, 22.8%, and 21.8%, respectively, to the model. These findings highlight the importance of considering the effects of anthropogenic factors such as oil/gas platforms as potential determinants of range expansion by invasive corals. Such consideration is imperative when installing new platforms and when decommissioning retired platforms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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11 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
Rapid Spread of the Invasive Brown Alga Rugulopteryx okamurae in a National Park in Provence (France, Mediterranean Sea)
by Sandrine Ruitton, Aurélie Blanfuné, Charles-François Boudouresque, Dorian Guillemain, Valérie Michotey, Sylvain Roblet, Delphine Thibault, Thierry Thibaut and Marc Verlaque
Water 2021, 13(16), 2306; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162306 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4369
Abstract
The temperate Northwest Pacific brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) was first discovered in 2002 in the Mediterranean Sea in the Thau coastal lagoon (Occitania, France) and then again in 2015 along the southern side of the Strait of Gibraltar, where it was [...] Read more.
The temperate Northwest Pacific brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) was first discovered in 2002 in the Mediterranean Sea in the Thau coastal lagoon (Occitania, France) and then again in 2015 along the southern side of the Strait of Gibraltar, where it was assigned with invasive status. We report here on the first occurrence of the species in the Northwest Mediterranean Sea in Calanques National Park (Marseille, France) in 2018. By 2020, a large population had developed, extending over 9.5 km of coastline, including highly protected no-take zones. The seafood trade, with R. okamurae used as packing material for sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus shipments from Thau Lagoon, could be the vector of its introduction into the Marseille area. As observed in the Strait of Gibraltar, R. okamurae is spreading rapidly along the Marseille coasts, suggesting an invasive pathway. The subtidal reefs are densely carpeted with R. okamurae, which overgrows most native algal species. Fragments of the alga are continuously detached by wave actions and currents, sedimenting on the seabed and potentially clogging fishing nets, and thus, impacting artisanal fishing or washing up on the beaches, where they rot and raise concern among local populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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10 pages, 21380 KiB  
Communication
Diatom Epibionts on Amphipod Crustaceans: A Possible Vector for Co-introductions?
by Andrea Desiderato, Jan Beermann, Maria Angelica Haddad and Luciano Felicio Fernandes
Water 2021, 13(16), 2227; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162227 - 16 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2628
Abstract
Epibiotic associations can result in co-introductions of non-indigenous species, which may affect ecosystems in several ways. In fouling communities of three estuaries in southern Brazil, a number of amphipods was found to harbour a dense coverage of epibionts. Three different species, the two [...] Read more.
Epibiotic associations can result in co-introductions of non-indigenous species, which may affect ecosystems in several ways. In fouling communities of three estuaries in southern Brazil, a number of amphipods was found to harbour a dense coverage of epibionts. Three different species, the two globally widespread caprellids Caprella equilibra and Paracaprella pusilla, as well as the ischyrocerid Jassa valida, had been colonised by diatoms. Further scanning electron microscope analyses assigned these diatoms to 14 different species that had previously been reported from benthic habitats. This is one of the scarce records of diatoms attached to amphipods. The occurrence of the diatom Amphora helenensis represents the first report for Brazilian waters as well as the second record for the whole SW Atlantic Ocean. As some diatoms were associated with common fouling amphipods, a possible regional spread aided by these crustaceans seems likely. Possible effects of this amphipod-diatom association on the animals and their implications for the underlying ecosystems of this remain to be elucidated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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10 pages, 2756 KiB  
Article
First Record of Colonial Ascidian, Botrylloides diegensis Ritter and Forsyth, 1917 (Ascidiacea, Stolidobranchia, Styelidae), in South Korea
by Taekjun Lee and Sook Shin
Water 2021, 13(16), 2164; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162164 - 6 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3097
Abstract
Botrylloides species are important members of the fouling community colonizing artificial substrates in harbors and marinas. During monitoring in 2017–2020 of non-indigenous species in Korea, one colonial ascidian species was distinctly different from other native colonial ascidians, such as B. violaceus and Botryllus [...] Read more.
Botrylloides species are important members of the fouling community colonizing artificial substrates in harbors and marinas. During monitoring in 2017–2020 of non-indigenous species in Korea, one colonial ascidian species was distinctly different from other native colonial ascidians, such as B. violaceus and Botryllus schlosseri, in South Korea. This species was identified as B. diegensis. DNA barcodes with mitochondrial COI were used to identify one-toned and two-toned colonies of B. diegensis. Intraspecific variations between Korean and other regions of B. diegensis from the NCBI ranged from 0.0% to 1.3%. The Korean B. diegensis was clearly distinct from other species of Botrylloides at 15.8–24.2%. In phylogenetic analysis results, Korean B. diegensis was established as a single clade with other regions of B. diegensis and was clearly distinct from Korean B. violaceus. After reviewing previous monitoring data, it was found that two-toned B. diegensis was already found in six harbors by July 2017. It has now spread into 14 harbors along the coastal line of South Korea. This means that B. diegensis might have been introduced to South Korea between 1999 and 2016. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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16 pages, 3399 KiB  
Article
How Does Mytilus galloprovincialis Respond When Exposed to the Gametophyte Phase of the Invasive Red Macroalga Asparagopsis armata Exudate?
by Sónia D. Coelho, Hugo C. Vieira, Jacinta M. M. Oliveira, Sílvia F. S. Pires, Rui J. M. Rocha, Andreia C. M. Rodrigues, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares and Maria D. Bordalo
Water 2021, 13(4), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13040460 - 10 Feb 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3518
Abstract
Asparagopsis armata is classified as an invasive species in Europe. Through the exudation of secondary metabolites, this macroalga holds a chemical defence against consumers, with potential toxic effects to native rocky shore communities. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of A. [...] Read more.
Asparagopsis armata is classified as an invasive species in Europe. Through the exudation of secondary metabolites, this macroalga holds a chemical defence against consumers, with potential toxic effects to native rocky shore communities. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of A. armata (gametophyte) exudate in a native species, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, in terms of biochemical and organismal effects. The 96 h-LC50 was 3.667% and based on it, exudate concentrations (0.25; 0.5; 1; 2%) were determined to further sublethal experiments. These sublethal concentrations caused no oxidative damage in the digestive gland since lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation were not affected. Nevertheless, there was a significant rise in the electron transport system activity and total glutathione content in muscle, suggesting an increased non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity and consequent energy consumption to cope with potential pro-oxidant compounds. This might have contributed to the observed decline in cellular energy allocation of the exposed mussels. At the organismal level, clearance capacity declined along the concentration gradient. Moreover, the number of functional byssuses decreased with increasing concentrations and a significant reduction in their attachment strength was observed. These findings suggest that the presence of A. armata may compromise M. galloprovincialis integrity in the invaded coastal areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions in the Marine Environment)
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