The Northward Habitat Expansion of the Korean Top Shell Turbo sazae (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda: Turbinidae) in the Korean Peninsula: Effects of Increasing Water Temperature

Abstract

Recent global climate change often leads to poleward expansions of habitat range of marine organisms in response to increasing water temperature at high latitude. This study investigated latitudinal distribution patterns of Turbo sazae from 2009 to 2018 along the southern and eastern coasts of Korea to verify whether gradual increases in seawater temperature in the East Sea/Sea of Japan (hereafter East/Japan Sea) accelerate changes in the geographic distribution of T. sazae. Between 2009 and 2018, underwater SCUBA surveys were conducted at 19 subtidal rocky shore habitats from the southern and eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, including Jeju Island. Additionally, long-term seawater temperature records over the last 40 years (between 1980s and 2010s) from the East/Japan Sea were analyzed to verify how changes of water temperature corresponded to geographical distributions of T. sazae. The habitat range of T. sazae was found to have extended from latitude 34°02′ N to latitude 37°06′ N from 2009 to 2018. Although seawater temperature has gradually increased since the 1990s in the East/Japan Sea, habitat expansion was particularly evident during the rapid rise of coastal seawater temperature in the 2010s. Because the strong northward expansion of the Tsushima Current can accelerate the rise of seawater temperature in the East/Japan Sea, studies of the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems of the Korean Peninsula should include data from monitoring the dynamics of the Tsushima Current.

The distribution of the red-throated ascidian Herdmania momus shifts northwards in association with ocean warming in the Korean Peninsula

“…This finding indicates that by the end of the study period, the entire Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongju region had become part of the habitat range of H. momus . The rising seawater temperatures caused by global climate change have had a direct effect on the recruitment and habitat expansion of invasive species along the Korean Peninsula (Raitsos et al ., 2010; Son et al ., 2020; Hong et al ., 2022). These invasive species are expanding into other habitats through various routes, and their recruitment is progressing faster than predicted (Lee et al ., 2008; Capinha et al ., 2012).…”

“…Numerous warm-water organisms have extended their geographical habitats from lower to higher latitudes (Rubenstein et al ., 2023). For example, the Korean Peninsula has witnessed the northward movement of species such as perforated barnacles ( Perforatus perforatus ) and Korean top shells ( Turbo sazae ) due to the recent increase in seawater temperature along the East Sea (Kim et al ., 2020; Son et al ., 2020).…”

Temperature-Dependent Food Consumption Rates of the Sea Urchin Mesocentrotus nudus and Top Shell Turbo sazae: Potential Impacts on Seaweed Beds

“…It is believed to significantly contribute to the formation of barren ground due to overlap between its distribution and areas where seaweed has been depleted [19,20]. Recently, the habitat of T. sazae has expanded northward as seawater temperature has increased due to climate change; its population density has also increased [41]. However, information about the impacts of feeding by this species on seaweed beds remains limited.…”

“…Historically, T. sazae was primarily found along the coast of Jeju in Korean waters, with secondary populations along the coast of Busan [40]. Recent shifts in oceanographic conditions driven by climate change have led to northward expansion of the habitat range of T. sazae, from 35 • N in 2010 to beyond the 37 • N line in 2016, covering a distance of 124 km in just 6 years [41]. However, information about the effects of this habitat expansion and feeding by T. sazae on seaweed beds remains limited.…”

First report of Ernogrammus zhirmunskii Markevich & Kharin, 2011 (Perciformes: Stichaeidae) in Dokdo, Korea

“…Efforts of discovering unrecorded species, e.g., Neoclinus chiriroe (Dokdo) and Neoclinus lacunicola (Ulleung island), in the East Sea only have been made recently (Myoung et al, 2021a, Myoung et al, 2021b. With the exception of the above newly recorded species (truly temperate fishes), there likely remain several unrevealed warm water species in the East Sea, because recent northward trend of the Tsushima Warm Current facilitates range expansions of subtropical marine organisms to the East Sea (Son et al, 2020).…”