Interactions between a natural food web,shellfish farming and exotic species: The case of the Bay of Mont Saint Michel (France)

To ensure sustainable uses of the coastal zone, an integrated ecosystemic approach and ecosystem models are required to frame ecological processes and evaluate environmental impacts. Here, a mass-balance trophic (Ecopath) model of the Mont Saint Michel Bay (MSMB) was developed, to analyze the bay's functioning as an ecosystem. This bay, intensively exploited by fishing and for shellfish farming, is also suffering from the proliferation of the gastropod Crepidula fornicata, an exotic species.     

Feeding habits of juvenile flatfish in relation to habitat characteristics in the Baltic Sea

To investigate feeding habits of juvenile flounder (Platichthys flesus) and turbot (Psetta maxima) in relation to habitat characteristics a field survey with push net sampling was conducted in nursery areas with different ecological characteristics in the northern Baltic proper. Sampling sites were stratified to cover several different habitat types defined by substrate and wave exposure. Apart from flatfishes and epifauna, samples of macrofauna, meiofauna and hyperbenthic planktons were collected from each site together with data on vegetation, depth, salinity, temperature and turbidity. The diet differed between species where flounder diet was dominated by chironomids, copepods and oligochaetes while turbot apart from chironomids had a high incidence of amphipods, gobies and mysids. In both species there was a shift in diet with size, although this shift was influenced by the habitat. Among the environmental variables investigated, wave exposure was found to significantly influence flounder diet. Food preference in the most exposed areas was dominated by oligochaetes and copepods instead of chironomids, which dominated in sheltered areas. This study shows that habitat characteristics can have a major influence on feeding habits of juvenile flatfish.     

Effects of simulated benthic fluxes on phytoplankton dynamic and photosynthetic parameters in a mesocosm experiment (Bay of Brest,France)

Benthic faunal activity and density play an important role in determining the rates of benthic nutrient fluxes, which enrich the water column and contribute to phytoplankton growth. The intensity of nutrient fluxes in the Bay of Brest depends on the density of the invasive gastropod, Crepidula fornicata. In order to study the impact of benthic fluxes on phytoplankton dynamics, realistic daily nutrient inputs simulating various densities of C. fornicata were added to six enclosures during three weeks. The increase in fertilization intensity influenced the phytoplankton biomass. A succession from Chaetoceros spp. to Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and Leptocylindrus danicus was observed in all enclosures, but the dynamics of successions were different. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. was favored in the three more fertilized enclosures, while Chaetoceros spp. persisted longer in less enriched enclosures. Despite an apparent nitrogen limitation, the quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) was high (>0.5) and stable in all enclosures. The maximal photosynthetic capacity (P^Bmax) was also invariable and oscillated around an average value of 2.23 mg C (mg Chl a)⁻¹ h⁻¹. The stability of F_v/F_m and P^Bmax observed at different nutrient input intensities demonstrates that the daily inputs maintained the physiological balance of the microalgae. The maximal light utilization efficiency (α) and the light saturation parameter (E_k) were also quite stable after day 8, which reveals that photosynthetic parameters were driven by growth constraints due to nutrient availability and not by incident light or species successions. We suggest that our results correspond to an “E_k independent variation” regulation. We propose that such regulation of photosynthetic parameters appears when there are frequent nutrient additions which do not allow replete nutrient conditions to be reached but lead to physiological equilibrium.     

Effects of epibionts on Sabellaria alveolata (L.) biogenic reefs and their associated fauna in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

Biogenic structures built by ecosystem engineers such as corals, bivalves, polychaetes, and sea grasses provide habitat for benthic vertebrates and invertebrates. The polychaete Sabellaria alveolata is an important foundation species whose reef structure adds topographic complexity and high levels of biodiversity to the otherwise low-relief, low diversity, soft-bottom environments in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, France, where the largest such reef formations in Europe are found. In this bay, reefs are being increasingly colonised by oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from local aquaculture operations and by green algae (Ulva sp.) due to the increasing inputs of nitrates from terrestrial origin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible impacts of epibiotic oysters and green algae on the S. alveolata population and reef community structure in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, France. Univariate and multivariate comparisons of macrofauna were conducted for five reef types: controls (no epibionts), low oyster density, high oyster density, green algae, and oyster and green algae. Results showed that all the three reef types with oysters had significantly higher species richness and diversity values than control and algae-only reef types. Pairwise ANOSIM and SIMPER comparisons of controls versus the four reef types with epibionts revealed that all three of the reef types with oysters were significantly different from controls, but there was no significant difference between controls and algae-only reef types. A striking feature of the reef comparisons is that no single species in this species-rich system contributed more than 8.86% to the dissimilarity between the reef types. Thus, k-dominance curves for species abundances were not effective in revealing differences among the reef types. Our results demonstrate that recent anthropogenic inputs of oysters affect the reef species assemblage more strongly than algal epibionts. In addition, epibionts, especially green algae, alter S. alveolata population structure, causing a reduction in new recruits that over the long run may cause significant damage to the reef structure itself. These results are a first step towards understanding anthropogenic threats to S. alveolata reefs and may be useful in the development of strategies for their protection and management.     

Contaminants and habitat choice in the Baltic Sea: Behavioural experiments with the native species, Monoporeia affinis, and the invasive genus, Marenzelleria

The invasive polychaete genus, Marenzelleria and the native amphipod, Monoporeia affinis are food and habitat competitors in the Baltic Sea. Previous studies have shown that moderate densities of Marenzelleria can affect the behaviour of M. affinis. To examine the short-term interactive effects of interspecific habitat choice and environmental contaminants a series of habitat colonisation experiments were performed. The contaminants examined included harbor sediments and sediment spiked with the antifouling substances, Cu, Zn and Irgarol. Polychaetes and amphipods were exposed to contaminants in single-species and two-species experiments. In spiked-sediment experiments, M. affinis showed clear dose-dependent response. These experiments verified that behavioural response of M. affinis to different habitats is a sensitive method for testing toxicity under controlled conditions. In experiments with three different harbor sediments and reference sediment both species showed the lowest preference for the reference sediment. This sediment also had the lowest content of quality food, indicating that factors such as food quality and quantity may override the disturbing effects of contaminants in natural sediments. The presence of Marenzelleria spp. did not affect amphipod habitat choice, indicating no short-term effects, which implies that both species can co-exist provided sufficient food is available.     

Variability in growth,development and reproduction of the non-native seaweed Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyceae) on the Irish west coast

This study compared seasonal growth, development and reproduction of the invasive brown macroalga Sargassum muticum in habitats with different wave exposure on the Irish west coast. Three field sites with different degrees of wave exposure were chosen for monthly observations to reflect different habitats that were characteristic of the Irish west coast. Growth and receptacle development differed considerably between sites. Growth and receptacle development was lower at the most sheltered site. Here, S. muticum showed signs of early fragmentation in April/May during the two years of investigation (2007 and 2008), whilst the population at an exposed site developed normally and plants grew to a maximum average length of 163 cm by July, with the onset of fragmentation in August. Sargassum muticum in a tide pool exhibited a similar seasonal growth cycle as plants at the exposed open shore site. Overall growth however was stunted, with plants reaching a maximum length of only 30–40 cm in July. Receptacle development was also inhibited at the sheltered site, with a maximum of only 10% of plants found to be fertile during spring and summer 2008, while plants at the exposed site and the tide pool exhibited 100% plant fertility by August. An extensive occurrence of the native epiphyte Pylaiella littoralis on S. muticum was noticed during field sampling at the sheltered study site which may have contributed to inhibited development of S. muticum observed in this area.     

大亚湾西部海域海地瓜的空间分布及其栖息环境分析

本研究于2020年1月（冬季）、3月（春季）、8月（夏季）和11月（秋季）对大亚湾西部海域的海地瓜（Acaudina molpadioides）空间分布和环境特征进行了调查研究,并结合室内养殖实验,分析了海地瓜的空间分布规律和栖息特性。结果表明：①海地瓜最高生物量达到170 g/m²,其栖息生境为粘土质粉砂和砂质粉砂,低温季节具有较高生物量。②主成分分析（principal component analysis, PCA）发现,有海地瓜分布的站位环境特征表现为较大的水深、盐度和溶解氧浓度,以及较低的水温、叶绿素a含量和较细的底质。③海地瓜的埋栖特征表现为口部向下、尾部朝上,以粘土质粉砂层下的黑色胶泥为食。④经组织切片观察,海地瓜体壁表层无管足,口部有15个触手。海地瓜体表运动器官缺乏,附着能力较弱。⑤主成分分析结果表明,大亚湾西部海域适宜海地瓜栖息的底质为粘土质粉砂,常出现在盐度较高、温度较低的深水区域。冬季和春季的调查数量高于其他季节,这需要进一步研究其生活史以明确其在不同时期内的生活习性。     

Variations in the pallial organ sizes of the invasive oyster, Crassostrea gigas, along an extreme turbidity gradient

Spatial size variations of labial palps, gills and the adductor muscle of the invasive feral oyster, Crassostrea gigas, were studied along two gradients of suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations in the temperate macrotidal Bourgneuf Bay, (annual mean SPM concentration gradient of 21.0–154.0 mg l⁻¹) and the adjacent Loire Estuary (annual mean SPM concentration gradient of 24.1–630.4 mg l⁻¹) on the French Atlantic Coast. The gill-to-palp (G:P) ratios decreased with increasing turbidity, both in the bay and the estuary. Changes in G:P ratios were chiefly related to palp area variations, increasing gradually from low turbidity to very high-turbidity sites, while gill area showed no clear relationship with turbidity conditions. The G:P ratio, showing a significant relationship (r² = 0.97) with SPM concentrations, is proposed as a pallial organ index of oyster acclimation to turbidity conditions. The area of the striated part of the adductor muscle was always greater than that of the smooth one, and adductor muscle area tended to decrease when SPM concentration increased. These observations show the morphological capacity of the oyster C. gigas to tolerate SPM concentrations above the feeding cessation thresholds previously determined experimentally. They also suggest that pallial organ size variations could help explain the success of recent feral oyster invasions in temperate turbid ecosystems.     

Influence of habitat structure and nature of substratum on limpet recruitment: Conservation implications for endangered species

Habitat complexity has been recognised to exert a significant influence on the abundance and diversity of benthic invertebrates. This issue is especially important for the management of endangered species. The recruitment of limpet species was monitored monthly for one year on natural and artificial surfaces. Control plots showed the highest mean number of species and individuals settled per plot, followed by rough then smooth plots. Control plots presented the highest mean diversity values followed by rough and smooth plots. Recruits of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea were mainly observed during the spring, from April to June. Recruitment seemed to be influenced by both the heterogeneity and nature of the substratum. P. ferruginea repopulation programmes involving the translocation of recruits on experimental plates should be conducted using similar materials to the natural substratum, such as granite or limestone, rather than plastic, avoiding surfaces with low levels of heterogeneity, and taking into account that translocation of adults is not feasible due to the high mortality observed.     

Recruitment of flatfish species to an estuarine nursery habitat (Lima estuary, NW Iberian Peninsula)

One of the present concerns of fish biologists involves defining and identifying nursery habitats in the context of conservation and resource management strategies. Fish nursery studies usually report upon nursery occupation during the latter juvenile stages, despite the fact that recruitment to nurseries can start early in life, during the larval phase. Here we investigated the use of a temperate estuarine nursery area, the Lima estuary (NW Portugal), by initial development stages of flatfish species before and after metamorphosis, integrating the larval and juvenile phases. The Lima estuarine flatfish community comprised twelve taxa, seven of which were present as pelagic larvae, six as juveniles and three as adults. There was a general trend of increasing spring–summer abundance of both larvae and juveniles, followed by a sharp winter decrease, mainly of larval flatfishes. The Lima estuary was used by Solea senegalensis, Platichthys flesus and Solea solea as a nursery area, with direct settlement for the two first species. In contrast, indirect settlement was suggested for S. solea, with metamorphosis occurring outside the estuarine area. Estuarine recruitment of S. senegalensis varied between years, with young larvae occurring in the estuary throughout a prolonged period that lasted 6–9 months, corroborating the protracted spawning season. P. flesus, the second most abundant species, exhibited a typical spring estuarine recruitment, without inter-annual variations. Developed larvae arrived in the estuary during spring, whereas the 0-group juveniles emerged in the following summer period. The present study contributes new insight to our understanding of the economically important S. senegalensis, and highlights the importance of integrating the planktonic larval phase into traditional flatfish nursery studies.     

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.     

海表水温变动对东、黄海鲐鱼栖息地分布的影响

海表水温(SST)通常是表征鱼类栖息地分布的主要指标。本文根据1999—2007年我国大型灯光围网的鲐鱼生产统计数据,结合海洋遥感获得的SST,分析了渔汛期间鲐鱼栖息地的适宜SST范围,探讨了SST变动情况下鲐鱼栖息地的变化趋势。研究结果表明,东、黄海鲐鱼7—12月的适宜SST范围为15~30℃。根据政府气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)第四份评估报告,本文拟定4种SST上升的情况,即(1)每月平均SST+0.5℃;(2)每月平均SST+1℃;(3)每月平均SST+2℃;(4)每月平均SST+4℃。结果显示,东、黄海鲐鱼的潜在栖息有明显向北移动的趋势,并且栖息地面积逐渐减小。研究认为,全球气候变化引起的SST上升,可能会对近海鲐鱼栖息地造成严重的影响。     

Environmental control on early life stages of flatfishes in the Lima Estuary (NW Portugal)

Several flatfishes spawn in oceanic waters and pelagic larvae are transported inshore to settle in the nursery areas, usually estuaries, where they remain during their juvenile life. Nursery areas appear as extremely important habitats, not only for juveniles but also for the earlier planktonic larval fish. Yet, the majority of nursery studies tend to focus only on one development stage, missing an integrative approach of the entire early life that fishes spent within a nursery ground. Thus, the present study assessed the influence of environmental parameters on the dynamics of the larval and juvenile flatfishes, throughout their nursery life in the Lima Estuary. Between April 2002 and April 2004, fortnightly subsurface ichthyoplankton samples were collected and juveniles were collected from October 2003 until September 2005. Larval assemblages comprised nine flatfish species, while only six were observed among the juvenile assemblages. Solea senegalensis and Platichthys flesus were the most abundant species of both fractions of the Lima Estuary flatfishes. Larval flatfish assemblages varied seasonally, without relevant differences between lower and middle estuary. Platichthys flesus dominated the spring samples and summer and autumn periods were characterized by an increase of overall abundance and diversity of larval flatfishes, mainly S. senegalensis, associated with temperature increase and reduced river flow. On the contrary, during the winter abundance sharply decreased, as a consequence of higher river run-off that might compromised the immigration of incompetent marine larvae. Juvenile flatfishes were more abundant in the middle and upper areas of the estuary, but the species richness was higher near the river mouth. Sediment type, distance from the river mouth, salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen were identified as the main environmental factors structuring the juvenile flatfish assemblages. Juveniles were spatially discrete, with the most abundant species S. senegalensis and P. flesus associated with the middle and upper estuary, while the remaining species were associated with the lower estuarine areas. The larval fraction exhibited distinct dynamics from the juvenile estuarine flatfish community. Larval flatfishes showed a strong seasonal structure mainly regulated by biological features as the spawning season and also by seasonal variations of water characteristics. On the other hand, juvenile flatfishes were markedly controlled by site specific characteristics such as sediments structure, distance from the river mouth and salinity regime. The present study emphasized the idea that the environmental control varies throughout the ontogenetic development, stressing the importance of integrating all the early life of a species in flatfish nursery studies.     

象山港滨海湿地互花米草入侵过程遥感监测与评估

互花米草在20世纪70年代后期作为海岸带生态防护工程物种引入我国,由于其超强的繁殖能力,目前已经对我国的滨海湿地生态环境健康与安全造成了严重的威胁,成为生长在中国沿海的一种典型生态入侵植物,引起了相关部门的高度重视。文章选择浙江象山港为重点研究区,通过遥感技术手段,基于2003年,2009年和2014年中分辨率Landsat系列遥感卫星数据,采用空间与光谱特征相结合的综合判读,提出了生境空间环境支持下的植物群落遥感自动识别方法,动态监测了互花米草在象山港的繁衍和入侵过程已经空间格局变化。研究结果表明:过去10年余年,互花米草在象山港呈现指数模型的爆炸性增长。2003年,整个象山港互花米草的分布面积约为590 hm²;2009年其分布面积达到1745 hm²;2014年互花米草在象山港的分布面积超过5715 hm²。2003-1014年10年间互花米草在该区域分布面积翻了近10倍,几乎占据了海岸带所有的泥质海滩,成为象山港滨海湿地区的主导型盐生植被和区域优势种,对附近农田,尤其是淡水水域构成巨大的威胁。而在快速扩张的驱动要素方面,研究认为强劲的自我繁殖性能是互米花草在区域能够快速扩张的主要原因;人类围垦活动促进了这一快速扩张进程。以上研究结论可为区域互花米草的综合治理提供数据支持和遥感监测提供技术参考。     

The barnacle Balanus amphitrite as a bioindicator for Cd: Development and application of a simulation model

The efficacy of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite as a bioindicator for Cd in the environment was investigated through simulation exercises in an ecotoxicological simulation model based on field data. The study showed in general that B. amphitrite is a good bioindicator to record mean trends of the Cd bioavailability in the environment. The model correct reflected differences between high and low patterns of Cd concentrations in the barnacle in the field, but it did not accurately reflect short-term temporal variations. A model investigation pointed out three issues that must be taken into account when using B. amphitrite as bioindicator for Cd bioavailability in the environment: (1) variations in the mean weight of the sampled population may affect the barnacle's Cd concentration determination, specially if a size effect for the metal concentration in the organism is not detected; (2) a sampling effort approximately 5 times greater than that of usually applied in such studies would be required to detect an environmental change that caused a realistic increase in the main source of Cd to the barnacle; and (3) barnacle tissue better responds to long-term changes in the Cd level of its sources.     

海月水母与海蜇不同幼体阶段的种间短期竞争研究

近年来海蜇池塘养殖业的兴起,补充了传统海蜇渔业捕捞生产的不足,推动了海蜇产业的迅猛发展。海月水母常常在海蜇养殖池塘中泛滥成灾,对海蜇养殖业常常造成很大损失,但关于海蜇与海月水母的种间竞争关系尚缺乏研究。本文对海月水母与海蜇的螅状体、碟状体及水母体幼体相互之间的短期生存竞争关系进行了初步观察研究。结果表明:除海月水母碟状体可以被海蜇螅状体所捕食外,各种类型的海蜇幼体基本不能对海月水母幼体造成危害。但海月水母螅状体及其水母体幼体对海蜇幼体均存在一定的危害性,尤其是对海蜇碟状体的危害性最为严重,在饵料缺乏的情况下海蜇碟状体可以100%地被捕食。随着海蜇幼体的生长,其对于海月水母危害的抵抗力逐渐增强。本研究显示海月水母相对于海蜇而言,在幼体种间竞争关系中处于绝对优势,这是海月水母时常暴发成灾的一个重要因素。在海蜇池塘养殖生产及苗种培育过程中,应当严禁混入海月水母幼体,以避免对海蜇养殖生产造成损害。     

海州湾春季皮氏叫姑鱼栖息地适宜性研究

根据2011年及2013-2015年春季在海州湾及其邻近海域进行的底拖网调查数据,结合同步采集的底层水温、底层盐度、水深以及资源密度等数据,开展皮氏叫姑鱼（Johnius belangerii）栖息地适宜性的相关研究。利用提升回归树（boosted regression tree,BRT）模型确定各环境因子的权重,分别采用算术平均法（AMM）和几何平均法（GMM）建立栖息地适宜性指数（habitat suitability index,HSI）模型,并通过交叉验证确定最优模型。结果表明,皮氏叫姑鱼幼体最适栖息的底层水温为17.4~18.0℃,底层盐度为29.2~30.8,水深为7 m以浅;成体最适栖息的底层水温为17.3~18.0℃,底层盐度为28.8~30.8,水深为12 m以浅。根据BRT模型的输出结果显示,对皮氏叫姑鱼幼体总偏差贡献率最大的是水深,其次是底层盐度和底层水温;对成体总偏差贡献率最大的是底层水温,其次是水深和底层盐度。通过交叉验证发现,无论幼体还是成体,运用GMM算法,且赋予权重的HSI模型具有较低的赤池信息准则值（akaike information criterion,AIC）。海州湾春季皮氏叫姑鱼的最适栖息地随生长阶段而变化,幼体的最适栖息地（HSI ≥ 0.7）主要分布在7 m等深线以浅的山东、江苏沿岸海域;成体的最适栖息主要分布于12 m等深线以浅的海域。海州湾春季皮氏叫姑鱼幼体和成体最适栖息地的空间分布与其自身的生态习性、外界环境因子以及黄海冷水团、近岸沿岸流等因素密切相关。     

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.