Citizen-science detects the arrival and establishment of Branchiomma luctuosum (Grube, 1870) (Annelida: Polychaeta: Sabellidae) in Albania

Abstract

The invasive fan worm Branchiomma luctuosum (Grube, 1870), originally described from the Red Sea, is first reported here from the Albanian coasts, based on records held in Vlora Bay, a locality near to Valona harbour and Narta Lagoon. Possible pathways of arrival in the area are uncertain. However, species’ larval ecology and life-history traits suggest a secondary spreading through shipping. Social media data mining allowed the confirmation of its establishment in the area, with specimens showing high densities in shallow waters on artificial hard substrates and to backdate its arrival in the area since at least November 2016. Citizen science continues supporting marine biology in the Mediterranean area, especially in countries where proper field studies and research projects are still limited.

Citizen Science Helps in Tracking the Range Expansions of Non-Indigenous and Neo-Native Species in Greece and Cyprus (Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

“…A similar invasion success, although significantly delayed, was reported on the Mediterranean Spanish coastline, where the species was first recorded in Valencia harbor [21] and is currently widespread in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, including some Atlantic harbors around Gibraltar [22]. In other Mediterranean areas, the species is still scantily reported, with only one record for the eastern Adriatic Sea [23], two records for the Aegean Sea [24,25], two for the Levantine Sea [26,27], and two for the southern Mediterranean Sea [28,29]. In Greece, only two reports are known, both for the Aegean Sea; thus, the record for Messolonghi harbor represents the first occurrence of this species in the Eastern Ionian Sea.…”

“…In Greece, only two reports are known, both for the Aegean Sea; thus, the record for Messolonghi harbor represents the first occurrence of this species in the Eastern Ionian Sea. However, the abundant population reported by Tanduo et al [23] for Vlora Bay (Albania, southeastern Adriatic Sea) suggests that the species might be widespread in this geographical sector as well. The population of B. luctuosum from Messolonghi shows a relatively low density when compared with historical data from other Mediterranean areas [22].…”

“…The population of B. luctuosum from Messolonghi shows a relatively low density when compared with historical data from other Mediterranean areas [22]. In general, although B. luctuosum can occur locally in pristine environments [20,22], it manages to structure abundant populations only in enclosed environments, such as brackish-water coastal ponds [20,23] and ports [22,30,31]. The scarcity of detailed study from port assemblages in Greece [32] might possibly account for the alleged rarity of this species, and it is likely that further studies in Greek port environments will highlight a wider distribution of B. luctuosum.…”

The bastard grunt Pomadasys incisus (Bowdich, 1825) (Teleostei: Haemulidae) in Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean Sea) - a late arrival or just a neglected species?

“…Kleitou et al 2019 , Paz-Sedano et al 2019 ), tools that already proved to be particularly effective in reporting and monitoring rare native species or non-indigenous ones all over the Mediterranean Sea (e.g. Crocetta et al 2017 , Crocetta et al 2020 , Langeneck et al 2019 , Osca et al 2019 , Tanduo et al 2020 , Tiralongo et al 2020 ).…”

The Myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Hungary: Survey of Ant Species with an Annotated Synonymic Inventory

“…This is proven by the existence of numerous specific interest groups on social media bringing together specialists and amateurs alike. Citizen science, the implication of volunteering non-academics in scientific research, could be essential for inventorying biota [ 6 ], saving habitats, protecting species [ 7 , 8 ], describing new taxa [ 9 ], and detecting new fauna elements [ 10 , 11 ]. It could also help overcome to a certain degree the ongoing crisis of taxonomic impediment, namely the lack of specialists [ 12 ].…”