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Firth LB, Foggo A, Watts T, Knights AM, deAmicis S. Invasive macroalgae in native seagrass beds: vectors of spread and impacts. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2024; 133:41-50. [PMID: 37787519 PMCID: PMC10921828 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Worldwide, invasive species are spreading through marine systems at an unprecedented rate with both positive and negative consequences for ecosystems and the biological functioning of organisms. Human activities from shipping to habitat damage and modification are known vectors of spread, although biological interactions including epibiosis are increasingly recognized as potentially important to introduction into susceptible habitats. METHODS We assessed a novel mechanism of spread - limpets as transporters of an invasive alga, Sargassum muticum, into beds of the seagrass Zostera marina - and the physiological impact of its invasion. The association of S. muticum with three limpet species and other habitats was assessed using intertidal surveys on rocky shores and snorkelling at two seagrass sites in the UK. A 4-year field study tested the effect of S. muticum on Z. marina shoot density, dry weight and phenolic compounds (caffeic and tannic acid) content, and a laboratory experiment tested the impact of S. muticum on nutrient partitioning (C/H/N/P/Si), photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) and growth of Z. marina. RESULTS On rocky shores 15 % of S. muticum occurrences were attached to the shells of live limpets. In seagrass beds 5 % of S. muticum occurrences were attached to the shells of dead limpets. The remainder were attached to rock, to cobblestones, to the seagrass matrix or embedded within the sand. Z. marina density and phenolics content was lower when S. muticum co-occurred with it. Over 3 years, photosynthetic responses of Z. marina to S. muticum were idiosyncratic, and S. muticum had no effect on nutrient partitioning in Z. marina. CONCLUSIONS Our results show limpets support S. muticum as an epibiont and may act as a previously unreported transport mechanism introducing invaders into sensitive habitats. S. muticum reduced production of phenolics in Z. marina, which may weaken its defensive capabilities and facilitate proliferation of S. muticum. The effect of S. muticum on Z. marina photosynthesis requires further work but having no effect on the capacity of Z. marina to sequester nutrients suggests a degree of resilience to this invader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise B Firth
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Andy Foggo
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Thomas Watts
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Antony M Knights
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Stacey deAmicis
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
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Guerra-García JM, Ruiz-Velasco S, Navarro-Barranco C, Moreira J, Angulo G, García-Domínguez R, Amengual J, Saenz-Arias P, López-Fé CM, Martínez-Pita I, García-García FJ, Ros M. Facilitation of macrofaunal assemblages in marinas by the habitat-forming invader Amathia verticillata (Bryozoa: Gymnolaemata) across a spatiotemporal scale. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 193:106256. [PMID: 38006852 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Widespread habitat-forming invaders inhabiting marinas, such as the spaghetti bryozoan Amathia verticillata, allow exploring facilitation processes across spatiotemporal contexts. Here we investigate the role of this bryozoan as habitat for native and exotic macrofaunal assemblages across different ecoregions of Western Mediterranean and East Atlantic coasts, and a monthly variation over a year. While only 7 (all peracarid crustaceans) of the 54 associated species were NIS, they dominated macrofaunal assemblages in terms of abundance, raising the potential for invasional meltdown. NIS richness and community structure differed among marinas but not among ecoregions, highlighting the importance of marina singularities in modulating facilitation at spatial scale. Despite facilitation did not depend on bryozoan abundance fluctuations, it was affected by its deciduous pattern, peaking in summer and disappearing in late winter. Monitoring A. verticillata in marinas, especially in summer periods, may improve the detection and management of multiple associated NIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Guerra-García
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - S Ruiz-Velasco
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - C Navarro-Barranco
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - J Moreira
- Departamento de Biología (Zoología) & Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Angulo
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - R García-Domínguez
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - J Amengual
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - P Saenz-Arias
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - C M López-Fé
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - I Martínez-Pita
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - F J García-García
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | - M Ros
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
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Downes S, Firth LB, Knights AM. Epibionts provide their basibionts with associational resistance to predation but at a cost. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 186:105941. [PMID: 36921402 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Epibiosis is increasingly considered a survival strategy in space-limited environments. However, epibionts can create a new interface between its host, environment and potential predators which may alter predator-prey relationships and biological functioning. Ex-situ experiments investigated the potential costs and benefits of epibiont barnacles on mortality and feeding rate of the mussel, Mytilus edulis, and its predator, the whelk Nucella lapillus. Mussels with living epibiont barnacles suffered no mortality from whelk predation, but when barnacles were absent, mortality was ∼21% over 48 days. Further comparisons revealed the structural complexity of barnacles provided mussels with protection from whelk predation, while the presence of living barnacles increased predator-prey encounters but led to predators targeting barnacles over mussels. Feeding trials revealed feeding rate increased by ∼24% in mussels with living epibionts over mussels with dead or without epibionts, indicating potential costs of hosting epibionts. Our results show that epibionts provide important associational resistance for mussels against whelk predation but a potential cost to the mussel of hosting epibionts requiring increased energy acquisition. These findings advance our understanding of associational resistance derived from epibionts and serve to highlight the potential trade-offs affecting basibiont functioning while showing the importance of positive ecological interactions in ecosystem structure and functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Downes
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Louise B Firth
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Antony M Knights
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
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Mott AW, Krueger-Hadfield SA, Blakeslee AMH, Fowler AE. Native tube-building polychaete prefers to anchor non-native alga over other macrophytes. Oecologia 2022; 198:967-980. [PMID: 35438318 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05164-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Novel facultative mutualisms that develop between native and non-native ecosystem engineers can lead to the retention of the non-native partner. In some cases, behavior plays an additional, but less understood, role in the development and persistence of mutualisms. In soft-sediment marine habitats along the western Atlantic, the native decorator worm Diopatra cuprea anchors the non-native red alga Gracilaria vermiculophylla to its tube cap in a mutualism. To understand whether the worm's usage of G. vermiculophylla could represent a preference, we first surveyed the species composition of macrophytes affixed to worm tube caps at three sites in coastal Virginia, USA using transect and quadrat sampling. These unmanipulated field surveys supported previous work revealing variable, but often high frequencies (31-98%) of D. cuprea decoration with G. vermiculophylla. We next used field manipulations and controlled laboratory experiments to test the consistency of individual D. cuprea decoration with G. vermiculophylla versus three common macrophytes (Ulva sp., Agardhiella sp., and Spartina alterniflora) found in our field surveys. Twenty-four hours after removing the worm's tube cap in the field, D. cuprea decoration was dominated by both G. vermiculophylla (39.6%) and S. alterniflora (25.9%). When provided a choice of macrophytes in the laboratory, individual D. cuprea consistently decorated with G. vermiculophylla (58.7%) over the other macrophytes, showing a preference for the non-native macrophyte. Our study suggests that preference can drive strong and steadfast interactions between native and non-native organisms, facilitating the latter's persistence and spread, change available habitat, and alter community interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander W Mott
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| | | | | | - Amy E Fowler
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Chee SY, Yee JC, Cheah CB, Evans AJ, Firth LB, Hawkins SJ, Strain EMA. Habitat Complexity Affects the Structure but Not the Diversity of Sessile Communities on Tropical Coastal Infrastructure. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.673227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing human population, urbanisation, and climate change have resulted in the proliferation of hard coastal infrastructure such as seawalls and breakwaters. There is increasing impetus to create multifunctional coastal defence structures with the primary function of protecting people and property in addition to providing habitat for marine organisms through eco-engineering - a nature-based solutions approach. In this study, the independent and synergistic effects of physical complexity and seeding with native oysters in promoting diversity and abundances of sessile organisms were assessed at two locations on Penang Island, Malaysia. Concrete tiles with varying physical and biological complexity (flat, 2.5 cm ridges and crevices, and 5 cm ridges and crevices that were seeded or unseeded with oysters) were deployed and monitored over 12 months. The survival of the seeded oysters was not correlated with physical complexity. The addition of physical and biological complexity interacted to promote distinct community assemblages, but did not consistently increase the richness, diversity, or abundances of sessile organisms through time. These results indicate that complexity, whether physical or biological, is only one of many influences on biodiversity on coastal infrastructure. Eco-engineering interventions that have been reported to be effective in other regions may not work as effectively in others due to the highly dynamic conditions in coastal environment. Thus, it is important that other factors such as the local species pools, environmental setting (e.g., wave action), biological factors (e.g., predators), and anthropogenic stressors (e.g., pollution) should also be considered when designing habitat enhancements. Such factors acting individually or synergistically could potentially affect the outcomes of any planned eco-engineering interventions.
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O’Shaughnessy KA, Perkol-Finkel S, Strain EMA, Bishop MJ, Hawkins SJ, Hanley ME, Lunt P, Thompson RC, Hadary T, Shirazi R, Yunnie ALE, Amstutz A, Milliet L, Yong CLX, Firth LB. Spatially Variable Effects of Artificially-Created Physical Complexity on Subtidal Benthos. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.690413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to the environmental damage caused by urbanization, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are being implemented to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem processes with mutual benefits for society and nature. Although the field of NbS is flourishing, experiments in different geographic locations and environmental contexts have produced variable results, with knowledge particularly lacking for the subtidal zone. This study tested the effects of physical complexity on colonizing communities in subtidal habitats in two urban locations: (1) Plymouth, United Kingdom (northeast Atlantic) and (2) Tel Aviv, Israel (eastern Mediterranean) for 15- and 12-months, respectively. At each location, physical complexity was manipulated using experimental tiles that were either flat or had 2.5 or 5.0 cm ridges. In Plymouth, biological complexity was also manipulated through seeding tiles with habitat-forming mussels. The effects of the manipulations on taxon and functional richness, and community composition were assessed at both locations, and in Plymouth the survival and size of seeded mussels and abundance and size of recruited mussels were also assessed. Effects of physical complexity differed between locations. Physical complexity did not influence richness or community composition in Plymouth, while in Tel Aviv, there were effects of complexity on community composition. In Plymouth, effects of biological complexity were found with mussel seeding reducing taxon richness, supporting larger recruited mussels, and influencing community composition. Our results suggest that outcomes of NbS experiments are context-dependent and highlight the risk of extrapolating the findings outside of the context in which they were tested.
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Unravelling facilitation among introduced species, a mechanistic approach. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02592-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Firth LB, Curd A, Hawkins SJ, Knights AM, Blaze JA, Burrows MT, Dubois SF, Edwards H, Foggo A, Gribben PE, Grant L, Harris D, Mieszkowska N, Nunes FLD, Nunn JD, Power AM, O'Riordan RM, McGrath D, Simkanin C, O'Connor NE. On the diversity and distribution of a data deficient habitat in a poorly mapped region: The case of Sabellaria alveolata L. in Ireland. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 169:105344. [PMID: 34015675 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Data that can be used to monitor biodiversity through time are essential for conservation and management. The reef-forming worm, Sabellaria alveolata (L. 1767) is currently classed as 'Data Deficient' due to an imbalance in the spread of data on its distribution. Little is known about the distribution of this species around Ireland. Using data archaeology, we collated past and present distribution records and discovered that S. alveolata has a discontinuous distribution with large gaps between populations. Many regions lack data and should be targeted for sampling. Biodiversity surveys revealed that S. alveolata supported diverse epibiotic algal communities. Retrograding (declining) reefs supported greater infaunal diversity than prograding (growing) reefs or sand, suggesting that S. alveolata is a dynamic ecosystem engineer that has a lasting legacy effect. Similar research should be carried out for other Data Deficient species, habitats and regions. Such data are invaluable resources for management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise B Firth
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK; Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Stephen J Hawkins
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK; Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth, UK; School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Antony M Knights
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Julie A Blaze
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | | | | | - Hugh Edwards
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Belfast, UK
| | - Andy Foggo
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Paul E Gribben
- Centre for Marine Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa Grant
- Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Daniel Harris
- Estuary & Ocean Science Center, San Francisco State University, California, USA
| | - Nova Mieszkowska
- Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth, UK; Department of Ocean, Earth and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Julia D Nunn
- Centre for Environmental Data & Recording, National Museums Northern Ireland, Holywood, UK; 2 Windmill Lane, Portaferry, UK
| | - Anne Marie Power
- Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ruth M O'Riordan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Aquaculture and Fisheries Development Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - David McGrath
- Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland
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