Laboratory observations on predator–prey interactions between the bearded fireworm (<i>Hermodice carunculata</i>) and Mediterranean benthic invertebrates

Simonini, Roberto; Maletti, I.; Righi, Sara; Fai, Sergio; Prevedelli, Daniela

doi:10.1080/10236244.2018.1502031

Cited by 18 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…In addition, H. carunculata is on the brink of being considered an invasive pest species with population sizes rapidly increasing in some areas (Williams, 2007;Simonini, Righi, Maletti, Fai, & Prevedelli, 2017). The interactive effects of increased anthropogenic pressures, including deoxygenation, and weakened corals attracting more corallivory have negative ecological implications, and the potential to be realized throughout this fireworm species' circumtropical Atlantic-Mediterranean range (Rice, Ezzat, & Burkepile, 2019;Simonini, Maletti, Righi, Fai, & Prevedelli, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxygen‐mediated plasticity confers hypoxia tolerance in a corallivorous polychaete

Lucey

Collins

Collin

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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There is mounting evidence that the deoxygenation of coastal marine ecosystems has been underestimated, particularly in the tropics. These physical conditions appear to have far‐reaching consequences for marine communities and have been associated with mass mortalities. Yet little is known about hypoxia in tropical habitats or about the effects it has on reef‐associated benthic organisms. We explored patterns of dissolved oxygen (DO) throughout Almirante Bay, Panama and found a hypoxic gradient, with areas closest to the mainland having the largest diel variation in DO, as well as more frequent persistent hypoxia. We then designed a laboratory experiment replicating the most extreme in situ DO regime found on shallow patch reefs (3 m) to assess the response of the corallivorous fireworm, Hermodice carnaculata to hypoxia. Worms were exposed to hypoxic conditions (8 hr ~ 1 mg/L or 3.2 kPa) 16 times over an 8‐week period, and at 4 and 8 weeks, their oxygen consumption (respiration rates) was measured upon reoxygenation, along with regrowth of severed gills. Exposure to low DO resulted in worms regenerating significantly larger gills compared to worms under normoxia. This response to low DO was coupled with an ability to maintain elevated oxygen consumption/respiration rates after low DO exposure. In contrast, worms from the normoxic treatment had significantly depressed respiration rates after being exposed to low DO (week 8). This indicates that oxygen‐mediated plasticity in both gill morphology and physiology may confer tolerance to increasingly frequent and severe hypoxia in one important coral predator associated with reef decline.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxygen‐mediated plasticity confers hypoxia tolerance in a corallivorous polychaete

Lucey

Collins

Collin

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Adriana Giangrande, personal communication). Although H. carunculata has generally been reported as a corallivorous and scavenger species, recent laboratory experiments on the feeding behaviour of Mediterranean specimens highlighted their ability to consume a wide range of marine invertebrates, exploiting dorsal stinging chaetae and their eversible pharynx to harm even large, defended prey (Simonini et al, 2017(Simonini et al, , 2018. In the present study, evidence of predation activity on live organisms was mainly provided by online sources and social networks, supporting the flexibility of H. carunculata in feeding (Table 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The native range of this amphiatlantic species includes the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Atlantic specimens are well known for their corallivorous feeding behaviour, upon zoanthids, anemones, gorgonians, hydrocorals and scleractinians (Schulze et al, 2017; see references Simonini et al, 2018). On the other hand, there are relatively few studies on the biology and distribution of H. carunculata colonizing the Italian coasts and the study of Mediterranean populations and their potential impacts on benthic communities has just started.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A first expanding population able to prey on a sea urchin keystone species has been detected in Apulia (Simonini et al, 2017;Righi et al, 2019). In the lab, Mediterranean H. carunculata specimens turned out to be generalist predators of several benthic invertebrates, displaying powerful defensive capacities to ensure predator escape and opportunistic feeding habits (for an extensive list of prey organisms see Simonini et al, 2018). Besides the ecological threats to benthic fauna, increases in abundance of this species may pose economic and health risks: H. carunculata consumes fish stuck in nets (Celona & Comparetto, 2010;EastMed, 2010), and its calcareous dorsal chaetae cause intense pain, inflammation and edema when they touch human skin (Schulze et al, 2017;Encarnação et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecology, distribution and expansion of a Mediterranean native invader, the fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida)

2020

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Global change and the overall raise of seawater temperature are causing a poleward shift in species distribution, increasing the occurrence of warm-water biota in many ecosystems worldwide. In the Mediterranean, the ongoing sea warming is promoting native subtropical species to invader status. The bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Amphinomida) is a thermophilic generalist predator spreading in the Central Mediterranean Sea. Although it is a typical inhabitant of Ionian coasts, several sightings have occurred at more northerly localities along the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas, suggesting that density increases and range expansion are underway. These distributional records are in contrast with historical literature and museum collections, which provide poor sporadic information.The present study aimed at investigating the spatiotemporal changes that have occurred in H. carunculata abundances and distribution in the Mediterranean basins surrounding the Italian peninsula so far. We examined an exhaustive collection of existing information. A total of 857 reports of H. carunculata were collected from 368 localities. These data significantly expand knowledge on the life and feeding habit of H. carunculata. The integration of different data sources allowed the reconstruction of the shifts that have happened over the last 50 years, which are coherent with the consistent warming trend of Mediterranean Sea surface temperatures. Recent colonization events have occurred both along the Adriatic and Western Mediterranean coasts. The present findings provide unique insights into the expansion of H. carunculata, supporting future spreading throughout the Northern and Western Mediterranean. Tracking these changes is critical to assess potential impacts on coastal rocky-benthic communities, public health and commercial fisheries.

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“…Recently, increasing numbers of fireworms have been reported along South Italian coasts, that may potentially impact the structure and functioning of benthic communities. Hermodice carunculata may display an opportunistic feeding habit, as well as extremely efficient predatory strategies on several marine invertebrates, including keystone species (Simonini et al ., 2017, 2018). This means that Mediterranean fireworms may persist following radical changes in prey community composition (Simonini et al ., 2018), and retain their invasive potential as reported for other amphinomids (Cosentino & Giacobbe, 2011; Arias et al ., 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphometric and molecular characterization of an expanding Ionian population of the firewormHermodice carunculata(Annelida)

et al. 2019

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The amphinomid fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a potentially invasive species reported throughout the subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, which is known as a generalist predator and opportunistic feeder. The ongoing climate changes and seawater warming may favour fireworm poleward range expansions and density increases. Our results provide the first investigation into a population which has purportedly been spreading widely in the Salento Peninsula (Apulia, Italy). The specimens were analysed using allometric variables and molecular markers. The best morphometric parameters to estimate individual size were determined as key information for future studies on fireworm population dynamics. To phylogeographically characterize the Apulian population, sequences of the mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA regions were obtained from a pool of individuals and treated together with those of Atlantic specimens retrieved from GenBank. The estimates of genetic variability for Apulian population were consistent with those recently reported in the literature. Inferences on demographic history analysis confirmed a recent expansion event in Apulia, as has been recounted by fishermen and scuba divers during recent years. Overall, these results constitute a crucial step in the characterization of present-day H. carunculata populations, and provide greater insight into fireworm population ecology.

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Laboratory observations on predator–prey interactions between the bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) and Mediterranean benthic invertebrates

Cited by 18 publications

References 42 publications

Oxygen‐mediated plasticity confers hypoxia tolerance in a corallivorous polychaete

Oxygen‐mediated plasticity confers hypoxia tolerance in a corallivorous polychaete

Ecology, distribution and expansion of a Mediterranean native invader, the fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida)

Morphometric and molecular characterization of an expanding Ionian population of the firewormHermodice carunculata(Annelida)

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