A Comparison Among Assemblages in Areas Invaded by Caulerpa taxifolia and C. racemosa on a Subtidal Mediterranean Rocky Bottom

Abstract.  This study compares the structure of Mediterranean macroalgal assemblages invaded by Caulerpa taxifolia and C. racemosa . Assemblages in areas colonized by the two algae and in reference areas were sampled and analyzed for 2 years. Significant differences were recorded both between reference and invaded areas and between areas invaded by different Caulerpa species. Macroalgal assemblages colonized by C. racemosa were more separated from references than those colonized by C. taxifolia . Differences between assemblages colonized by C. racemosa and the others decreased during the alga's period of vegetative rest and increased at the last sampling date. While erect and turf species showed similar patterns in invaded areas, covers of encrusting algae were lower in C. racemosa areas than in C. taxifolia areas.     

Heavy Metal Contents in Soft-Bottom Marine Macrophytes and Sediments Along the Mediterranean Coast of Spain

Abstract. Hg, Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations were determined in sediment and in tissues of five species of soft-bottom marine macrophytes ( Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera noltii, Ruppia cirrhosa and Caulerpa prolifera ) along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Levels of metals were low in most of the sampling stations and similar to those found by other authors in uncontaminated zones. Certain locations, however, showed some degree of contamination (Cambrils, Almassora, Alacant, Mar Menor and El Portús). In Santa Pola we found high contents of metals in one sample of sediment due to the high proportion of the fine fraction (particules < 63µm) and organic matter, but not in the seagrass species. Mercury and zinc concentrations in the sediment are correlated to those in at least some anatomic fractions of Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa and Caulerpa prolifera , suggesting that these species reflect the levels of these metals in the environment. Lead contents in the alga Caulerpa prolifera are also correlated to those in the sediment, while no significant correlations were obtained for cadmium. Among the species studied, Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seem to be better biomonitors than Caulerpa prolifera .     

Comparison between amphipod assemblages associated with Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea and those of other Mediterranean habitats on soft substrate

The spread of the invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in shallow-water habitats can present different faunal assemblage composition. We compared the amphipod assemblages associated with C. racemosa and natural habitats found on shallow-water Mediterranean soft substrata. Four vegetated habitats were compared: C. racemosa, Caulerpa prolifera, Cymodocea nodosa and Posidonia oceanica with unvegetated substrata. Samples were collected during two sampling periods (September 2004 and March 2005). A total of 63 amphipod species were recorded. The results showed that the vegetated habitats sampled, including C. racemosa stands, supported a higher abundance and species richness of amphipods. Furthermore, the assemblage structure differed between the different habitats, while the abundance of some species was significantly different, depending on habitat. For example, Microdeutopus obtusatus was favoured by C. racemosa habitat; Ampelisca diadema was associated with C. prolifera beds; and Hyale schmidti was more abundant in P. oceanica meadows. Habitat invasion by C. racemosa can exert an important influence on biotic assemblages, modifying habitat structure and associated fauna.     

Changes in amphipod (Crustacea) assemblages associated with shallow-water algal habitats invaded by Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in the western Mediterranean Sea

The effects of the invasive species Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (hereafter C. racemosa) on amphipod assemblages associated with shallow-water rocky habitats were studied. Two habitats located along the SE Iberian Peninsula were compared; invaded and non-invaded. The results showed that growth of C. racemosa affects habitat structure, influencing the species composition and biomass of macroalgae, and detritus accumulation. In turn, such changes in habitat features affected the associated amphipod assemblages with different ecological requirements. However, the species richness of amphipods was relatively high in both habitats, while the species composition of amphipods changed completely. For example, some species such as Ampithoe ramondi and Hyale schmidti did not colonize invaded habitats, while others such as Apocorophium acutum were favoured by the spread of C. racemosa. Habitat invasion by C. racemosa can have an important influence on biotic assemblages, modifying both habitat structure and the associated fauna, with unknown effects on the overall ecosystem.     

Macroalgal assemblages of disturbed coastal detritic bottoms subject to invasive species

Characteristic flora and fauna that are highly sensitive to disturbances colonize coastal detritic bottoms in the Mediterranean Sea. In the present study, a comparison of the assemblage composition and colonization by invasive macroalgae was made between two coastal detritic macrophyte assemblages, one dominated by rhodoliths (free-living non-geniculate Corallinales) and the other dominated by fleshy algae, in an area that has been exposed to important levels of anthropogenic disturbance, mainly pollution (including changed sedimentation regimes) in the recent past (bay of Marseilles, France). In comparison with less strongly impacted Mediterranean regions, the macrophyte assemblages in the bay of Marseilles were characteristic in terms of species identity and richness of coastal detritic macrophyte assemblages. However, extremely low species abundance (cover) was observed. As far as invasive species were concerned, Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea was only abundant in the rhodolith assemblage whereas the two invasive Rhodophyta Asparagopsis armata and Womersleyella setacea were mainly found in the fleshy algae assemblage. The seasonality observed in the Rhodolith assemblage seemed to be related to the development of C. racemosa var. cylindracea and did not follow the typical pattern of other Mediterranean assemblages. This study represents the first study of coastal detritic assemblages invaded by C. racemosa var. cylindracea.     

Temporal and spatial variability in shallow- and deep-water populations of the invasive Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in the Western Mediterranean

The invasive green alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea represents an important threat to the diversity of Mediterranean benthic coastal ecosystems by interfering with native species and modifying benthic assemblages. The present study deals, for the first time, with the temporal and spatial variability of the biomass and phenology of C. racemosa considering both deep- and shallow-water populations. Two sampling depths (30 and 10 m) were sampled at three different rocky bottom sites every 3 months in the Archipelago of Cabrera National Park (Western Mediterranean). All morphometric variables analysed showed a spatial variation and temporal patterns depending on depth. Between depths, C. racemosa biomass, stolon length, number of fronds and frond length were usually significantly higher at deep-water populations, suggesting that C. racemosa grows better in deep-waters. Deep- and shallow-water populations displayed a high temporal variation although no evidence of seasonal patterns was found, in contrast with what has been reported by other authors. The sources of this variability are still unknown but probably both physical factors and differential herbivory pressures display a key role.     

Persistence of biological invasion effects: Recovery of macroalgal assemblages after removal of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea

The present study evaluated the capability of recovery of Mediterranean macroalgal assemblages on rocky bottom invaded by Caulerpa racemosa. A manipulative experiment was performed to compare the structure of native assemblages that: (a) were invaded by the alga, (b) were invaded, but where the invasive alga was removed, and (c) had never been invaded. Macroalgal assemblages differed significantly between areas invaded by C. racemosa and control areas. Moreover, one year after removal of the invader, the recovery of community was minimal. Overall, recovery consisted of a significant increase in species richness and cover of macroalgae, but cover of each vegetation layer (encrusting, turf and erect) did not vary significantly between cleared and Invaded plots through time. Results showed that the effects of the colonization persist after the removal of the alga and the process of recovery of the assemblages appears to be quite slow. This finding might be an important contribution to evaluate invasion costs and thus potentially useful for an effective addressing of control strategies.     

Effects of the spread of the alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea on the sponge assemblage from coralligenous concretions of the Apulian coast (Ionian Sea, Italy)

The present work investigated the modifications induced by the spread of the green macroalga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) on the sponge assemblage of Apulian coralligenous concretions (Ionian Sea – Torre Ovo, Italy). The study of qualitative and quantitative sponge composition was carried out before (2004) and after (2006) the spread of this invasive alga by means of traditional (quadrat scraping) and photographic sampling methods. Results indicate that the spread of the green alga is concomitant with a significant decrease in percentage sponge cover both on horizontal- and on vertical-oriented substrates. In addition, strong modifications to the structure of the community in terms of repartition of the available substrate have been observed since the algal spread. Conversely, no major changes have affected the specific composition of the sponge assemblage, suggesting that at this stage of colonization the algal spread has not produced a loss of sponge biodiversity. However, there is a clear need to monitor closely the C. racemosa invasion to verify its long-term impact on the sponge assemblage.     

三疣梭子蟹线粒体DNA 16S rRNA和COI基因片段序列的比较研究

本文采用 PCR扩增和序列测定等技术 ,对三疣梭子蟹 (Portunustrituberculatus)线粒体DNA1 6Sr RNA和 COI基因片段进行了初步研究。经 PCR扩增和序列测定 ,分别得到 1 6Sr RNA和 COI2个基因片段的碱基序列 ,其中 1 6Sr RNA基因片段的大小为 566bp,碱基 A,T,G,C的含量分别为 35.1 6% ,34.45% ,1 2 .37%和 1 8.0 2 % ;COI基因片段的大小为 658bp,碱基 A,T,G,C的含量分别为 36.63% ,2 6.44% ,2 0 .52 %和 1 6.41 %。在 2种基因片段中 ,AT含量均明显高于 GC含量 ,这与果蝇、虾类、蟹类等无脊椎动物的 1 6Sr RNA和 COI基因片段研究结果相似。通过对三疣梭子蟹 1 6S r RNA和 COI2个基因片段遗传特征的研究 ,发现其种内变异较低 ,在 3个样本中 1 6Sr RNA基因片段序列完全一样 ,COI基因片段中也只有 2个 T/ C位点转换。另外 ,比较本研究所得序列与 Gen Bank中梭子蟹科 5个属的 1 6Sr RNA基因片段序列后 ,发现其聚类结果与传统分类相一致。     

Differential herbivory of invasive algae by native fish in the Mediterranean Sea

The potential role of generalist herbivores to serve as a source of biotic resistance against algal invasion in marine ecosystems has been poorly examined. The present study investigates the capacity of Mediterranean herbivorous fishes to consume three of the most invasive seaweeds of the Western Mediterranean (Caulerpa racemosa, Lophocladia lallemandii and Womersleyella setacea) and examines vertical and temporal variations of such consumption. Our results show that although fish feed throughout the depth gradient examined (5–35 m), they concentrate in shallow waters, and can consume high amounts of C. racemosa. Such high ingestion of C. racemosa does not appear to be random, since this alga is consistently chosen when offered in pairs with several native species. Conversely, L. lallemandii and W. setacea are barely eaten by fish even though they can be very abundant in the field throughout the year. Our results suggest that fish could be an important controlling agent that has been overlooked in temperate marine invasions, and they may be able to provide certain resistance to C. racemosa invasion. In contrast, they are unlikely to exert any important control effects on L. lallemandii or W. setacea.     

Assessment of substratum effect on the distribution of two invasive Caulerpa (Chlorophyta) species

Two-year monitoring of the invasive marine Chlorophyta Caulerpa taxifolia and Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea shows the great influence of substratum on their spatial distribution. The cover of C. taxifolia and C. racemosa was measured in shallow (<8 m) areas indicating that these species are more abundant in rocks with photophilic algae and in the dead matte of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica than in sand or inside the P. oceanica meadow. A short-term experiment comparing the persistence of C. taxifolia and C. racemosa planted either in a model of dead matte of P. oceanica or in sand shows that the persistence of these species was higher in the dead matte model than in sand. Correlative evidence suggests that C. taxifolia and C. racemosa tolerate near-bottom orbital velocities below 15 cm s^?1 and that C. taxifolia cover declines at velocities above that value. These results contribute to understand the process of invasion of these Caulerpa species predicting which substrata would be more susceptible to be invaded and to the adoption of appropriate management strategies.     

Functional changes due to invasive species: Food web shifts at shallow Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds colonized by the alien macroalga Caulerpa racemosa

Multiple stable isotope analyses were used to examine the trophic shifts at faunal assemblages within the invading macroalga Caulerpa racemosa in comparison to established communities of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows. Sampling of macrobenthic invertebrates and their potential food sources of algal mats and seagrass meadows in Mallorca (NW Mediterranean) showed differences in species composition of faunal and primary producers among seagrass and C. racemosa. Accordingly, changes in food web structure and trophic guilds were observed, not only at species level but also at community level. The carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures of herbivores, detritivores and deposit feeders confirmed that the seagrass provided a small contribution to the macrofaunal organisms. δ¹³C at the P. oceanica seagrass and at the C. racemosa assemblages differed, ranging from −6.19 to −21.20‰ and −2.67 to −31.41‰, respectively. δ¹⁵N at the Caulerpa mats was lower (ranging from 2.64 to 10.45‰) than that at the seagrass meadows (3.51–12. 94‰). Significant differences in isotopic signatures and trophic level among trophic guilds at P. oceanica and C. racemosa were found. N fractionation at trophic guild level considerable differed between seagrass and macroalgae mats, especially for detritivores, deposit feeders, and herbivores. Filter feeders slightly differed with a relatively lower N signal at the seagrass and CR values at community level and at trophic guild level were higher in the C. racemosa invaded habitats indicating an increase in diversity of basal resource pools. C. racemosa did seem to broaden the niche diversity of the P. oceanica meadows it colonised at the base of the food web, may be due to the establishment of a new basal resource. The extent of the effects of invasive species on ecosystem functioning is a fundamental issue in conservation ecology. The observed changes in invertebrate and macrophytic composition, stable isotope signatures of concomitant species and consequent trophic guild and niche breadth shifts at invaded Caulerpa beds increase our understanding of the seagrass systems.     

西沙群岛海产绿藻的研究Ⅲ

本文继续报道产于我国广东省西沙群岛的海产绿藻9种,除2种已有记载外,其余7种都是西沙群岛的新记录,其中1种为新种一簇囊缢丝藻Boodleopsis aggregata sp.nov.,2种为我国的新记录—太坦松藻Codium taitense Setchell,钱币状蕨藻Caulerpa nummularia (Harv. ) Reinke。     

“微观繁殖体”溯源

通过查阅"微观繁殖体"相关文献,对其概念进行溯源追踪并据以总结归纳。笔者认为"微观繁殖体"这个概念不应该作为放散的孢子、配子、合子、不同生长阶段的显微个体及有生长能力的大型海藻碎片的统称,而应只是泛指那些肉眼不可见的只进行营养繁殖的二倍体细胞团、脱落下来的组织块和"色素体"(有色藻段)等碎片,即是一个或者多个二倍体的藻类细胞。并以石莼属绿藻浒苔(Ulva prolifera)为例,简述浒苔微观繁殖体在其生活史中的主要作用,为浒苔"微观繁殖体"的理论研究和实际利用奠定基础。     

鱼类环境DNA metabarcoding片段的近缘物种识别差异

已知的鱼类环境DNA（eDNA）metabarcoding片段均未被针对性考察其对近缘物种的适用性,实际使用过程中存在“物种丢失”风险。为筛选出物种识别率最高的片段,本研究比较了15个主流片段对106属（共935种）鱼类的识别差异。研究结果如下:（1）蛋白质编码基因（COI,片段15）的物种识别率最高,但其引物通用性最差;片段09、片段11、片段07、片段03、片段12的引物序列总平均遗传距离也较大,均存在eDNA低效扩增的风险;（2）片段长度影响物种识别率,核糖体基因中片段05、片段06、片段01、片段02及片段13的物种识别率较高;（3）非度量多维尺度分析（NMDS）显示,不同基因、同一基因不同片段的识别结果存在较大差异,应考虑多片段、多基因组合应用;片段01与片段02、片段05与片段06等在NMDS图上距离较近,存在相互替代性;（4）物种类群影响识别结果,eDNA研究仍需要进一步开发高识别率片段。综合物种识别率、引物通用性、NMDS分析等多方面因素,本研究推荐2×150 bp测序平台使用片段01（MiFish-U）、2×250 bp测序平台使用片段05（Ac12S）,辅以片段13（Vert-16S-eDNA）等进行近缘鱼类多样性调查。本研究旨在为提高鱼类eDNA调查结果准确性提供一定技术支撑。     

Laurencia nanhaiense sp.nov.,a new species of the genus Laurencia(Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) from China

Laurencia nanhaiense sp.nov.(Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) is described from Hainan and Guangdong Provinces,China.The new species clearly displays one of the defining features of the genus,viz.four periaxial cells per vegetative axial segment.It differs from other closely related species in having a combination of features such as terete axes from a basal system composed of a primary discoid holdfast and a secondary attachment to give rise to many short rhizoids,branching oppositely and alternately,irregularly tristichous or subverticillately polystichous,having more curve branches with very sparse,adventitious ultimate branchlets,non-projecting superficial cortical cells at the apices of ultimate branchlets,presence of longitudinally oriented secondary pit-connections between contiguous superficial cortical cells,absence of lenticular thickenings in the walls of medullary cells,parallel arrangement of tetrasporangia along the axis of stichidia,and presence of intercellular spaces between medullary cells.     

海产绿藻束生刚毛藻(Cladophora fascicularis)的分类地位探讨

针对国际上海洋绿藻束生刚毛藻Cladophorafascicularis与C.vagabunda的同物异名争议,本文对采集于海南岛莺歌海的束生刚毛藻进行了形态学观察。从55个样品的形态特征观测及分析中获得了用于其物种鉴定的主要特征为:藻体丛生,黄绿色,往往纠缠在一起,高3—23cm;基部为不规则分枝的假根状,往往多个植株的假根粘连在一起;直立部分叉状或多不规则叉状分枝,主枝可产生多个分枝或产生分级的分枝;上部枝多个密集成束,偏生于一侧,末位小枝侧生,多向内侧弯曲,略呈栉状排列,枝端钝尖;主轴细胞长宽比为3—6.5,侧枝细胞长宽比为3—5,小枝细胞长宽比为1.5—5,末位细胞长宽比为1.2—5。结合形态特征比较以及分子数据分析,本文探讨了束生刚毛藻与C. vagabunda的同物异名问题,认为束生刚毛藻可作为独立种存在。     

江苏－山东沿岸大型绿藻微观繁殖体时空分布特征研究

为研究暴发浒苔绿潮的黄海近岸水体中大型绿藻微观繁殖体时空分布和种群演替，以及绿潮对海域繁殖体群落结构的影响，本研究在江苏－山东沿岸设置4个站位，开展周年取样调查研究。通过室内培养和分子检测结合的方法，共鉴定出6种大型绿藻:缘管浒苔(Ulva linza)、浒苔(U. prolifera)、扁浒苔(U. compressa)、孔石莼(U. pertusa)、未命名种(Ulva sp.) 和盘苔(Blidingia sp.)。定量研究结果表明，各站位微观繁殖体丰度和种类组成具有明显时空变化特征，苏北浅滩与青岛近岸周年绿藻微观繁殖体丰度明显高于连云港燕尾港和日照岚山港站位；各站位丰度呈双峰型波动，春季到初夏达最高，秋季为次高峰，其他季节丰度较低。群落结构组成研究表明，苏北浅滩周年存在较高丰度的浒苔微观繁殖体(平均为77株/L)，其中造成黄海大规模绿潮的“漂浮生态型”浒苔占绝对优势，年均占浒苔微观繁殖体总数的75.7%；青岛近岸微观繁殖体种类组成波动显著，在夏季大规模浒苔绿潮到达时，优势种从缘管浒苔转变成浒苔，其中，“漂浮生态型”浒苔微观繁殖体数量急剧上升，并在绿潮消退时快速消失。对比研究显示，苏北浅滩海域是浒苔微观繁殖体“栖息地”，对维持浒苔种群、造成绿潮连年暴发具有重要作用；青岛近岸微观繁殖体群落受到大规模漂浮浒苔的季节性扰动，其组成结构在绿潮暴发期发生显著变化。     

DNA and morphological identification of an invasive swimming crab,Charybdis japonica,in New Zealand waters

Mitochondrial DNA sequences were used to identify an invasive swimming crab found in Waitemata Harbour, New Zealand. A 457 base sequence of the cytochrome oxidase 1 gene was compared in New Zealand specimens and nine species of Charybdis from Australia and Asia. The New Zealand specimens aligned with C. japonica. The diagnostic morphological characters of C. japonica were also checked in 54 specimens of the species collected in Waitemata Harbour, and concur with the mtDNA result. This is the first record of C. japonica establishing populations outside its native range. C. japonica, along with C. hellerii and the Lessepsian migrant C. longicollis, are the only known invasive species of Charybdis. C. japonica and C. hellerii are two of the few Charybdis species that inhabit the intertidal zone, and it is likely that the intertidal characteristics of these species contribute to their success as invasive species.