Ascidians (Chordata: Tunicata) from circalittoral and upper-bathyal soft bottoms sampled by experimental trawling in the Iberian Mediterranean Sea

Arroyo, Elisa; Moya-Urbano, Elena; García‐Ruíz, Cristina; Esteban, Antonio; Ramos‐Esplá, Alfonso A.

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101669

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…On the contrary, thanks to the block of environmental conditions and the comparison of areas with different bottom trawling pressure, the results obtained in the present study have shown clear effects of bottom trawling on the composition and diversity of epibenthic communities of Non-impacted compared to Low effort history areas and some recovery signals by comparing Medium effort history and High effort areas. The decrease in abundances of sponges and ascidians, a structured habitat species on sedimentary bottoms, in higher impacted areas could be related to the sensitivity of those species [69,70] and its higher capturability by bottom trawling activity. The wide presence of megabenthic species in the Menorca channel makes them a good proxy to determine the effects of fishing activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery Signals of Rhodoliths Beds since Bottom Trawling Ban in the SCI Menorca Channel (Western Mediterranean)

et al. 2021

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One of the objectives of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project is to assess the impact of bottom trawling on the vulnerable benthic habitats of the circalittoral bottoms of the Menorca Channel (western Mediterranean), designated a Site of Community Importance (SCI) within the Natura 2000 network. The present study compares the epibenthic communities of four areas, subjected to different bottom trawl fishing intensity levels. The assignment of fishing effort levels was based on the fishing effort distribution in the area calculated from Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data and the existence of two Fishing Protected Zones in the Menorca Channel. Biological samples were collected from 39 beam trawl stations, sampled during a scientific survey on April 2019. We compare the diversity, composition, and density of the epibenthic flora and fauna, together with the rhodoliths coverage and the morphology of the main species of rhodoliths of four areas subjected to different levels of bottom trawl fishing effort, including one that has never been impacted by trawling. Our results have shown negative impacts of bottom trawling on rhodoliths beds and the first signals of their recovery in areas recently closed to this fishery, which indicate that this is an effective measure for the conservation of this habitat of special interest and must be included in the management plan required to declare the Menorca Channel as a Special Area of Conservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovery Signals of Rhodoliths Beds since Bottom Trawling Ban in the SCI Menorca Channel (Western Mediterranean)

et al. 2021

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“…A partir de testimonios de pescadores se dispone del conocimiento de que hasta no hace muchos años los barcos de arrastre capturaban frecuentemente ejemplares de Microcosmus, pero en este estudio no hemos obtenido ningún ejemplar. Esto es consistente con los resultados obtenidos en Arroyo et al, (2021) en el Golfo de Valencia, quienes haciendo referencia a las formaciones de Microcosmus que cita Monniot, C. (1968) en el Golfo de León, indican que dichas formaciones se encuentran amenazadas por la pesca de arrastre. Destacan que el impacto mecánico del arrastre y la remoción de sedimentos supone la destrucción de los agregados de Microcosmus y su sustitución por especies más oportunistas como M. appendiculata y A. aspersa que disminuyen la fauna asociada.…”

Section: Capturas Descartadasunclassified

“…Destacan que el impacto mecánico del arrastre y la remoción de sedimentos supone la destrucción de los agregados de Microcosmus y su sustitución por especies más oportunistas como M. appendiculata y A. aspersa que disminuyen la fauna asociada. (Arroyo et al, 2021).…”

Section: Capturas Descartadasunclassified

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Estudio y caracterización de los descartes de pesca de arrastre de fondo en el Golfo de Valencia

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The Miseno Lake (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea): An Overlooked Reservoir of Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Ascidians in a Marine Reserve

et al. 2022

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Ascidians are the largest and most diverse class of the subphylum Tunicata, and are important components of marine benthic communities. They are also renowned worldwide invaders, of growing concern due to ease of spread and impacts on native biota. We hereby combined bathymetric and habitat mapping, extensive transect and photo-quadrat sampling, and a morphological and molecular study on selected specimens to evaluate taxonomic composition, cover, and distribution pattern of ascidians in a marine reserve of the central-western Mediterranean Sea, the Miseno Lake (Bacoli, Naples, Italy). Twenty-four taxa were found, of which 9 were non-indigenous species (NIS), 5 cryptogenic, and 10 native, delineating the Miseno Lake as a major hotspot of NIS and cryptogenic ascidians. DNA barcoding yielded 114 sequences, confirming identification for 22 taxa but also revealing single to few mismatches per species. Taxonomic insights were offered in the text and the Supplementary Material for several taxa, including the understudied Ascidia colleta and Ascidia malaca. The presence of a new clade was discovered in the Distaplia bermudensis species complex. Didemnum pseudovexillum and Polyclinum constellatum were respectively first recorded in Italy and western Mediterranean, and the same holds true for other taxa whose accurate identification was only possible through molecular evidence. The analysis of photographic archives allowed backdating and georeferencing to the Miseno Lake of the first records of Aplidium accarense and Botrylloides niger in Italy and of P. constellatum in the Mediterranean. Generalized Additive Models revealed that the abundance of NIS increased with availability of hard substrates (rocks or litter), decreased with depth, and was the highest in the channels connecting to other water bodies, followed by the peripheral areas of the lake. No certain evidence of competitive restriction of native ascidians was found. Finally, introduction pathways, potential impacts, and additional insights were discussed for NIS. The present study provides a baseline to evaluate shifts in the ascidian communities in the future, suggests that constant monitoring programs constitute crucial steps to achieve solid NIS management, and confirms marine reserves as widely vulnerable to biological invasions, especially when they coincide with potential hotspots of arrival or spreading such as semi-enclosed basins.

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Ascidians (Chordata: Tunicata) from circalittoral and upper-bathyal soft bottoms sampled by experimental trawling in the Iberian Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

Recovery Signals of Rhodoliths Beds since Bottom Trawling Ban in the SCI Menorca Channel (Western Mediterranean)

Recovery Signals of Rhodoliths Beds since Bottom Trawling Ban in the SCI Menorca Channel (Western Mediterranean)

Estudio y caracterización de los descartes de pesca de arrastre de fondo en el Golfo de Valencia

The Miseno Lake (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea): An Overlooked Reservoir of Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Ascidians in a Marine Reserve

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