Invertebrates: The Realm of Diversity

Spatial Distribution and Potential Impact of Drifted Thalli of the Invasive Alga Rugulopteryx okamurae in Circalittoral and Bathyal Habitats of the Northern Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea

“…Some circalittoral and bathyal bottoms of the northern SoG and the Alboran Sea have high densities of sessile invertebrates that are large, emerge from the seafloor, and have a complex body form (highly branched) [1,2]. In the present study, some of these invertebrates have been found to retain a large amount of drifted thalli of R. okamurae around their bodies.…”

“…In the present study, some of these invertebrates have been found to retain a large amount of drifted thalli of R. okamurae around their bodies. These invertebrates are mainly gorgonians and colonial scleractinians that have polyps that capture small food particles [2,36,37]. Moreover, some of these invertebrates generally have moderate to slow growth rates and can build vulnerable and threatened habitats that are included in regional and international conservation lists under different conventions and directives (e.g., OSPAR, Habitats Directive) [2].…”

“…These invertebrates are mainly gorgonians and colonial scleractinians that have polyps that capture small food particles [2,36,37]. Moreover, some of these invertebrates generally have moderate to slow growth rates and can build vulnerable and threatened habitats that are included in regional and international conservation lists under different conventions and directives (e.g., OSPAR, Habitats Directive) [2]. Previous studies found that the complex morphologies and densities of some seagrass species may increase the retention capacity of drifted algae [38,39].…”

“…The Strait of Gibraltar (SoG) and the Alboran Sea represent areas of oceanographic and biological confluence, which are located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean [1][2][3]. This sector of the Western Mediterranean Sea presents complex submarine geomorphology, with a high diversity of habitats, species (including a wide variety of threatened ones), and commercially exploited marine resources [1,2,[4][5][6].…”

“…The Strait of Gibraltar (SoG) and the Alboran Sea represent areas of oceanographic and biological confluence, which are located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean [1][2][3]. This sector of the Western Mediterranean Sea presents complex submarine geomorphology, with a high diversity of habitats, species (including a wide variety of threatened ones), and commercially exploited marine resources [1,2,[4][5][6]. Unfortunately, it is also an area exposed to high anthropogenic pressures, harbouring widely urbanized coastal areas, intense maritime traffic, and high activity of industrial and artisanal fishing fleets, which require complex spatial and temporal management.…”