Saronikos Gulf: a hotspot area for alien species in the Mediterranean Sea

Zenetos, Argyro; Ovalis, Panayotis; Giakoumi, Sylvaine; Kontadakis, Constantinos; Lefkaditou, Evgenia; Mpazios, George; Simboura, N.; Tsiamis, Konstantinos

doi:10.3391/bir.2020.9.4.21

Cited by 21 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…The latter are often observed in or near ports [39]. Shipping and ports have been globally associated with bioinvasions [69,70], and shipping is regarded as one of the primary introduction pathways in the Mediterranean Sea [71][72][73]. Invertebrates account for a significant portion of the alien diversity within Mediterranean ports [74].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cumulative Negative Impacts of Invasive Alien Species on Marine Ecosystems of the Aegean Sea

Tsirintanis

Sini

Ragkousis

et al. 2023

Biology

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Biological invasions are a human-induced environmental disturbance that can cause major changes in ecosystem structure and functioning. Located in the northeastern Mediterranean basin, the Aegean Sea is a hotspot of biological invasions. Although the presence of alien species in the Aegean has been studied and monitored, no assessment has been conducted on their cumulative impacts on native biodiversity. To address this gap, we applied the CIMPAL index, a framework developed for mapping the cumulative impacts of invasive species, to identify the most affected areas and habitat types and determine the most invasive species in the region. Coastal areas showed stronger impacts than the open sea. The highest CIMPAL scores were four times more frequent in the South than in the North Aegean. Shallow (0–60 m) hard substrates were the most heavily impacted habitat type, followed by shallow soft substrates and seagrass meadows. We identified Caulerpa cylindracea, Lophocladia lallemandii, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, and Womersleyella setacea as the most impactful species across their range of occurrence in the Aegean but rankings varied depending on the habitat type and impact indicator applied. Our assessment can support marine managers in prioritizing decisions and actions to control biological invasions and mitigate their impacts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cumulative Negative Impacts of Invasive Alien Species on Marine Ecosystems of the Aegean Sea

Tsirintanis

Sini

Ragkousis

et al. 2023

Biology

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“…It would be more plausible that the presence of E. anatina in the Mediterranean Sea resulted from an anthropogenic release of leptocephali via ballast waters in the Levant Basin. Species with evident non‐indigenous status but unclear mode of introduction (natural spread vs. human mediated) from the native range such as E. anatina are now referred to as crypto‐expanding species (Zenetos et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological indicators from spatial statistics to describe the Atlantic fangtooth moray distribution in the Mediterranean Sea

Perzia

Spinelli²,

Interdonato³

et al. 2022

Transactions in GIS

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Considering the rapid diffusion and potential impacts of invasive non‐indigenous species on biodiversity, it is crucial to investigate invasion mechanisms to identify their spread, settlement, and expansion areas. Enchelycore anatina, the Atlantic fangtooth moray of uncertain introduction pathway, recently invaded the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In the present study, specimens of E. anatina were observed in the Strait of Messina (Sicily), during 2017–2018 and records were reported. Through ecological indicators elaborated with Geographic Information System spatial–temporal statistics, E. anatina spatial–temporal distribution in the Mediterranean Sea was examined. Evidence of non‐occasional presence of this species in that area has been confirmed by the spatial statistics that suggested an established population in the central Mediterranean Sea and settlement areas along the Turkish, Levantine, and Sicilian Ionian coast. The resulting spatial structure suggested its human‐mediated introduction. The ecological indicators used in this study proved to be useful for the comprehension of the invasion history of E. anatina and might be applied to disentangle the history of other invasive species.

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“…The South Aegean Sea (SAS, thereafter) the diving sites included: (i) The Saronikos Gulf, SW Aegean Sea, one dive. The regions of Attica and Saronikos Gulf are acknowledged as an important area for the expansion of non-indigenous species to Greek west coasts and essentially to their dispersal to Ionian and the rest Mediterranean basins [ 56 ], (ii) The region of Cyclades and Santorini Island, two dives, (iii) the region of Dodecanese and the islands of Kalymnos and Nisyros, with three and two stations respectively. Almost all gulfs of the region of Peloponnese were surveyed at the framework of this this study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the fish fauna diversity and abundance at Aegean and Ionian seas, with emphasis on certain NIS fish species via Scientific diving and Visual Census

Kampouris,

Pappou,

Erga

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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The Mediterranean Sea and its exceptional biodiversity suffer from non-indigenous (NIS) and invasive species. These result from Lessepsian migration and human activities. Species with the highest negative impact include Pterois miles, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Fistularia commersonii. The current study assessed the distribution and abundance of these three species in the Aegean and Ionian Seas in the context of the regional diversity of ichthyofauna. Using Scientific Diving and Visual Census, we focused on NIS fish fauna, and surveyed most of the areas where the occurrence or establishment of NIS had been documented. Emphasis was given to regions with limited available data. This study assessed the homogeneity of diversity and abundance of the fish species at the diving sites; assessed the most dominant species per region; and calculated relevant biodiversity indexes. Our results suggest that the south and east parts of the Aegean Sea are the most affected by the establishment of NIS. Samos Island is concluded to be an important region for the expansion of NIS to the northern parts of the Aegean Sea. Also, both the Saronikos Gulf and the whole area of the Peloponnese seem to have a pivotal role in the expansion of distribution of NIS from the east Mediterranean sub-basin to the west sub-basin. The genus Siganus seems to have very high abundances and population densities in certain areas, and therefore its establishment could have negative impacts in these regions. We conclude that scientific diving is not appropriate for monitoring the population status of L. sceleratus and we propose more appropriate methodologies such as the use of baited cameras and ROV’s to be used in the future.

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Saronikos Gulf: a hotspot area for alien species in the Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 21 publications

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Cumulative Negative Impacts of Invasive Alien Species on Marine Ecosystems of the Aegean Sea

Cumulative Negative Impacts of Invasive Alien Species on Marine Ecosystems of the Aegean Sea

Ecological indicators from spatial statistics to describe the Atlantic fangtooth moray distribution in the Mediterranean Sea

Assessing the fish fauna diversity and abundance at Aegean and Ionian seas, with emphasis on certain NIS fish species via Scientific diving and Visual Census

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