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Marchessaux G, Gjoni V, Sarà G. Environmental drivers of size-based population structure, sexual maturity and fecundity: A study of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in the Mediterranean Sea. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289611. [PMID: 37549137 PMCID: PMC10406326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) is one of the most invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea. Understand how the populations are maintained and how the environment is driving the populations in the areas invaded is the key to an effective future management. This current study is presenting a monthly long-term monitoring of the blue crabs' population structure, body size, sexual maturity, reproduction periods and fecundity, and their relationships with environmental factors in a saltmarshes system in Italy. During winter, high densities (15 ± 8 ind m-2) of early juveniles (< 2 cm) were observed, and their numbers decreased due the population growth until summer. The size-spectra showed that across different temperature (18-26°C) and salinity (24-40 psu) gradients, the growth period for males is faster than for females. Based on abdominal analysis, sexual maturity was defined at ∼12 cm for males and females but the population was in favor of males that were more than 66% of the time mature throughout the year. Copulations periods were identified between spring and autumn when more than 50% of females were matures, and ovigerous females' migrations were observed in late summer. Our study expand our understanding of how the environment interacts to effect physiological and biological processes of alien species and improve our ability to make predictions of how environmental change the distribution of the alien species in the future. Based on our results, we also discuss which population control strategy would be most effective based on the data available in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Marchessaux
- Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Earth and Marine Science (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vojsava Gjoni
- Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Earth and Marine Science (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States of America
| | - Gianluca Sarà
- Laboratory of Ecology, Department of Earth and Marine Science (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Rodrigues-Filho JL, Macêdo RL, Sarmento H, Pimenta VRA, Alonso C, Teixeira CR, Pagliosa PR, Netto SA, Santos NCL, Daura-Jorge FG, Rocha O, Horta P, Branco JO, Sartor R, Muller J, Cionek VM. From ecological functions to ecosystem services: linking coastal lagoons biodiversity with human well-being. HYDROBIOLOGIA 2023; 850:2611-2653. [PMID: 37323646 PMCID: PMC10000397 DOI: 10.1007/s10750-023-05171-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this review we highlight the relevance of biodiversity that inhabit coastal lagoons, emphasizing how species functions foster processes and services associated with this ecosystem. We identified 26 ecosystem services underpinned by ecological functions performed by bacteria and other microbial organisms, zooplankton, polychaetae worms, mollusks, macro-crustaceans, fishes, birds, and aquatic mammals. These groups present high functional redundancy but perform complementary functions that result in distinct ecosystem processes. Because coastal lagoons are located in the interface between freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the ecosystem services provided by the biodiversity surpass the lagoon itself and benefit society in a wider spatial and historical context. The species loss in coastal lagoons due to multiple human-driven impacts affects the ecosystem functioning, influencing negatively the provision of all categories of services (i.e., supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural). Because animals' assemblages have unequal spatial and temporal distribution in coastal lagoons, it is necessary to adopt ecosystem-level management plans to protect habitat heterogeneity and its biodiversity, ensuring the provision of services for human well-being to multi-actors in the coastal zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L. Rodrigues-Filho
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Conservação, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca e Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, Laguna, SC Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Planejamento Territorial e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental (PPGPLAN)/UDESC/FAED, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC Brazil
| | - Rafael L. Macêdo
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Ecology of Inland Water Ecosystems (PEA), State University of Maringá (UEM), Centre of Research in Limnology, Ichthyology and Aquaculture (Nupélia), Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Victor R. A. Pimenta
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada e Conservação, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca e Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina, Laguna, SC Brazil
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Cecilia Alonso
- Microbial Ecology of Aquatic Systems Research Group, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
| | - Clarissa R. Teixeira
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos (LAMAQ), Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Whale Habitat, Ecology & Telemetry Laboratory (WHET), Oregon State University (OSU), Newport, OR USA
| | - Paulo R. Pagliosa
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade Costeira, Coordenadoria Especial de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC Brazil
| | - Sérgio A. Netto
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, UNISUL, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Natália C. L. Santos
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Fábio G. Daura-Jorge
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos (LAMAQ), Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (POSECO), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Trindade, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Odete Rocha
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Paulo Horta
- Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC Brazil
| | - Joaquim O. Branco
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Sartor
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, UNISUL, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Jean Muller
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, UNISUL, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Vivian M. Cionek
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC Brazil
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Li Y, Ma S, Fu C, Li J, Tian Y, Sun P, Ju P, Liu S. Seasonal differences in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in an overexploited shelf sea ecosystem. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Shuyang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Caihong Fu
- Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Nanaimo British Columbia Canada
| | - Jianchao Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Yongjun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Peng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Peilong Ju
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Shude Liu
- Shandong Hydrobios Resources Conservation and Management Center Yantai China
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Testing the Influence of Incomplete DNA Barcode Libraries on Ecological Status Assessment of Mediterranean Transitional Waters. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10111092. [PMID: 34827084 PMCID: PMC8614736 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The biodiversity and ecological status assessment of transitional water ecosystems by benthic macroinvertebrates investigation could use DNA barcode tools for more rapid and efficient outputs. The principal limits of this application are the incompleteness of DNA barcode databases, the identification of optimal primers set, and the gap in the species sequences. The influence of the incompleteness of DNA barcode libraries on species diversity indices, ecological indicators, and ecological status assessment in transitional waters of the southeast Mediterranean were analysed, underlying the importance to implement DNA barcode libraries and to put an effort toward specific species at a local level. Abstract The ecological assessment of European aquatic ecosystems is regulated under the framework directives on strategy for water and marine environments. Benthic macroinvertebrates are the most used biological quality element for ecological assessment of rivers, coastal-marines, and transitional waters. The morphological identification of benthic macroinvertebrates is the current tool for their assessment. Recently, DNA-based tools have been proposed as effective alternatives. The main current limits of DNA-based applications include the incompleteness of species recorded in the DNA barcode reference libraries and the primers bias. Here, we analysed the influence of the incompleteness of DNA barcode databases on species diversity indices, ecological indicators, and ecological assessment in transitional waters of the southeast Mediterranean, taking into account the availability of commonly sequenced and deposited genomic regions for listed species. The ecological quality status assigned through the potential application of both approaches to the analysed transitional water ecosystems was different in 27% of sites. We also analysed the inter-specific genetic distances to evaluate the potential application of the DNA metabarcoding method. Overall, this work highlights the importance to expand the barcode databases and to analyse, at the regional level, the gaps in the DNA barcodes.
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Sarà G, Giommi C, Giacoletti A, Conti E, Mulder C, Mangano MC. Multiple climate-driven cascading ecosystem effects after the loss of a foundation species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:144749. [PMID: 33736396 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is evolving so fast that the related adverse effects on the environment are becoming noticeable. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore and understand the effects generated by multiple extreme climatic events (MECEs) on marine ecosystem functioning and the services provided. Accordingly, we combined long-term in-situ empirical observations in the Mediterranean Sea with a mesocosm manipulation to investigate the concurrence of increasing temperature and hypoxia events. By focussing on a foundation mussel species, we were able to detect several cascade events triggered by a mass mortality event caused by stressful temperature and oxygen conditions, and resulting in a loss of ecosystem services. The measured rates of chlorophyll-a, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids - in both particulate and sedimentary organic matter - were used as proxies of ecosystem functioning during pre- and post- disturbance events (MECEs). In the past, MECEs were crucial for individual performance, mussel population dynamics and biomass. Their effect propagated along the ecological hierarchy negatively affecting the associated community and ecosystem. Our results suggest that the protection and/or restoration of coastal areas requires careful consideration of ecosystem functioning. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Our decadal time-series recorded by a near-term ecological forecasting network of thermal sensor allowed us to record and monitor multiple extreme climatic events (MECEs; heat wave and hypoxia events), warning on the environmental change recorded on a pond system. By integrating observational and manipulative approaches, we showed how a MECE triggered cascade events, from individual-based impaired functioning up to biodiversity loss (community composition and structure changes). Our results emphasize the key role played by a foundation species in driving ecosystem functioning, and the synergistic effects of climatic drivers acting simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Sarà
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Chiara Giommi
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Giacoletti
- Laboratory of Ecology, Earth and Marine Sciences Department, University of Palermo Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Erminia Conti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, via Androne 71, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Christian Mulder
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, via Androne 71, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - M Cristina Mangano
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Dipartimento Ecologia Marina Integrata, Sicily Marine Centre, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90142 Palermo, Italy
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Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the diversity patterns of phytoplankton assemblages in coastal lagoons is clearly important for water management. In this study, we explored alpha and beta diversity patterns in phytoplankton communities across five Mediterranean lagoons hydrologically connected to Vistonikos Gulf. We examined the phytoplankton community composition and biomass on a monthly basis from November 2018 to October 2019. For this, water samples were collected from seven inshore, brackish and coastal waters, sampling sites covering a wide range of conductivity. We found significant spatial and temporal differences in phytoplankton alpha diversity and in phytoplankton biomass metrics explained by the high variation of conductivity. Evenness remained low throughout the study period, reflecting significant dominance of several phytoplankton blooms. Harmful algal blooms of Prorocentrum minimum, Alexandrium sp., Rhizosolenia setigera and Cylindrotheca closterium occurred. The system’s species pool was characterized by relatively high phytoplankton beta diversity (average ~0.7) resulting from high temporal species turnover (90%). Overall, alpha and beta diversity components were indicative of rather heterogeneous phytoplankton communities which were associated with the high differences in conductivity among the sampling sites.
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