engleski

Invasive Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora) in the Northern Adriatic: here to stay?

Given the impact of Mnemiopsis leidyi on pelagic ecosystem and fisheries in the native (coastal temperate western Atlantic) and invaded seas, its introduction in any new area is accompanied with great concern. Following its spread from the Black Sea, where it was introduced via ballast waters, this highly invasive jellyfish has settled in different areas of the southern European seas. In October 2005, it was recorded for the first time also in the northernmost part of the Adriatic. This introduction seemed to be unsuccessful as afterwards M. leidyi was not registered in the Adriatic Sea for more than 10 years. In summer 2016, blooms of M. leidyi were observed in different localities (from lagoon to open water) but all restricted to the northern Adriatic. Here we present data on spatial and temporal distribution of M. leidyi during summer-early autumn 2016 and morphological and biometric data. Preliminary results of egg production experiments using field-collected animals indicated high reproductive potential (136 – 5910 eggs/ind/day) and fast development (< 36 hours to larvae with tentacles) at 22 C and salinity 37.6.

introduction species ; ballast waters ; jelly bloom

nije evidentirano