Naslov
DEPTH DISTRIBUTION OF THE INVASIVE ALGA Caulerpa cylindracea Sonder IN THE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE EASTERN ADRIATIC SEA

Autori
Kružić, Petar ; Ankon, Pavel ; Gračan, Romana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
4. HRVATSKI SIMPOZIJ O INVAZIVNIM VRSTAMA s međunarodnim sudjelovanjem / Jelaska, Sven D. - Zagreb : Hrvatsko ekološko društvo, 2021, 92-92

Skup
4. hrvatski simpozij o invazivnim vrstama = 4th Croatian Symposium on Invasive Species

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 29.11.2021. - 30.11.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Domaća recenzija

Ključne riječi
Caulerpa cylindracea, coralligenous, maerl, Adriatic Sea

Sažetak
One of the recent goals for marine biologists is to understand the factors that determine the invasive success of introduced species. Exotic algae are one of the major threats to coastal marine habitats as they often have negative effects on the structure and diversity of native benthic communities. The green alga Caulerpa cylindracea (Sonder) has a strong invasive character and was identified as being one of the most invasive species of the genus Caulerpa in the Mediterranean Sea. Light is one of the factors influencing macrophyte communities and key in regulating its productivity, abundance and distribution. Thanks to the large capacity of photoacclimation, this green alga can colonize habitats within a broad range of light regimes. This has been linked with significant changes in community characteristics of receiving habitats. Many studies show the effects of this seaweed on benthic communities, but the relevance of depth, seawater movement and herbivores in the dispersal dynamic of this invasive alga are still not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the spread and depth distribution of the invasive green alga C. cylindracea in the protected areas in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea and understand the factors influencing its spread. Fifteen sites (five sites per three protected areas) have been investigated. Our results provide evidence of a wide invasion of this alga in investigated marine protected areas. The present study showed that invasions of alien alga C. cylindracea could represent a serious threat for Mediterranean coralligenous and maerl assemblages.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA