Naslov
Invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea makes a strong impact on the Mediterranean sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus

Autori
Žuljević, Ante ; Thibaut, Thierry ; Despalatović, Marija ; Cottalorda, Jean-Michel ; Nikolić, Vedran ; Cvitković, Ivan ; Antolić, Boris

Izvornik
Biological invasions (1387-3547) 13 (2011), 10; 2303-2308

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea; Sarcotragus spinosulus; invasive macroalgae; sponge; chemotropism

Sažetak
Here we present the first observation of 11 the impact of the invasive Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea on native photophilic sponge species in the Adriatic Sea, with special focus on Sarcotragus spinosulus. Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea is able to completely overgrow the sponge, developing an exceptionally thick canopy with a maximum measured density of 1, 887 m of stolons m-2 and 40, 561 fronds m-2. Necrosis of the sponge surface was significantly correlated with the algal dry biomass, frond number and stolon length. Dense algal canopy, penetration of the algal stolon and rhizoids into the sponge oscula and covering of the ostiae probably diminishes the seawater circulation through the sponge and consequently results in its smothering and even death. We suggest that chemotropism is the reason why C. racemosa penetrates the sponge oscula and establishes such dense canopy on the sponge.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geologija

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