Occurrence of Paraleucilla magna (Porifera: Calcarea) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna has been detected at different Mediterranean sites (Taranto, Porto Cesareo, Brindisi and Naples). Its record in well studied areas where several benthic surveys have previously been carried out suggests a recent introduction of the species into the Mediterranean Sea. Until now this sponge has only been recorded from the Brazilian coast. It shows different morphologies, varying from tubular to an irregular massive shape with several folds occurring on its surface. The colour is white-cream. The surface is smooth. The consistency is friable. The oscula are 10–20 mm in diameter and located at the top of tubular protrusions. The skeleton consists of cortical and subatrial triactines and tetractines, together with atrial triactines, differently distributed in the sponge body. Paraleucilla magna is abundant in eutrophic environments, where seasonally it may reach very high frequency values and large dimensions. It is resistant to pollution, but it is also able to live in clean waters. The inclusion of this species among Mediterranean alien invasive species is suggested.

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“…Ecology and Distribution: This species was commonly found on rocks between 10 and 30 m depths, but occasionally found in the intertidal region under stones along the coasts of the east Atlantic and Mediterranean (Burton, 1963). Habitat and distribution: This species was previously found on natural and artificial hard substrata (Longo et al, 2007). We found it on a stone at K18.…”

“…It was previously reported from the Atlantic (Brazilian coast) and Mediterranean (Tyrrhenian Sea, Ionian Sea, Adriatic Sea) (Klautau et al, 2004;Longo et al, 2007). It is an invasive alien species introduced to the area from the western Mediterranean via shipping (Longo et al 2007).…”

“…It is an invasive alien species introduced to the area from the western Mediterranean via shipping (Longo et al 2007). Description: This species has fragile tissues and encrusting.…”

Long-term turnover of the sponge fauna in Faro Lake (North-East Sicily, Mediterranean Sea)

“…The orders Axinellida (two genera, two families), Bubarida (two genera, one family), and Dictyoceratida (two genera, two families) are represented by two species each, while the orders Chondrosida, Tethyida and Tetractinellida are each represented by one species only. The class Calcarea is represented only by Paraleucilla magna Klautau, Monteiro & Borojevic, 2004, an alien species recently introduced in the Mediterranean Sea (Longo et al 2007;Longo & Pronzato 2011;Bertolino et al 2014b).…”

“…A relationship between the mussel culture in Faro Lake and the introduction of P. magna, with the species being invasive in the mussel farms of Taranto (Longo et al 2007) and in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Bertolino et al 2014b), is highly probable. In any case, a possible explanation of its appearance almost simultaneously in Brazilian waters and in various Mediterranean locations (Bertolino et al 2014b) is problematic.…”