Marine Invasion in the Mediterranean Sea: The Role of Abiotic Factors When There Is No Biological Resistance
dc.contributor.author
dc.date.accessioned
2012-10-10T12:12:09Z
dc.date.available
2012-10-10T12:12:09Z
dc.date.issued
2012
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dc.description.abstract
The tropical red alga Womersleyella setacea (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) is causing increasing concern in the Mediterranean Sea because of its invasive behavior. After its introduction it has colonized most Mediterranean areas, but the mechanism underlying its acclimatization and invasion process remains unknown. To understand this process, we decided i) to assess in situ the seasonal biomass and phenological patterns of populations inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the main environmental factors, and ii) to experimentally determine if the tolerance of W. setacea to different light and temperature conditions can explain its colonization success, as well as its bathymetric distribution range. The bathymetric distribution, biomass, and phenology of W. setacea were studied at two localities, and related to irradiance and temperature values recorded in situ. Laboratory experiments were set up to study survival, growth and reproduction under contrasting light and temperature conditions in the short, mid, and long term.Results showed that, in the studied area, the bathymetric distribution of W. setacea is restricted to a depth belt between 25 and 40 m deep, reaching maximum biomass values (126 g dw m−2) at 30 m depth. In concordance, although in the short term W. setacea survived and grew in a large range of environmental conditions, its life requirements for the mid and long term were dim light levels and low temperatures. Biomass of Womersleyella setacea did not show any clear seasonal pattern, though minimum values were reported in spring. Reproductive structures were always absent. Bearing in mind that no herbivores feed on Womersleyella setacea and that its thermal preferences are more characteristic of temperate than of tropical seaweeds, low light (50 µmol photon m−2 s−1) and low temperature (12°C) levels are critical for W. setacea survival and growth, thus probably determining its spread and bathymetric distribution across the Mediterranean Sea
dc.description.sponsorship
This work was supported by an European Union reintegration grant (ERG-2009-248252) and a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CGL2004-05556-C02-01). Dr. Cebrian was funded by a Juan de la Cierva program (JCI-2008-02753) of the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry
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application/pdf
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eng
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Public Library of Science
dc.relation
MICYT/PN 2004-2007/CGL2004-05556-C02-01
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Reproducció digital del document publicat a: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0031135
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PLoS ONE, 2012, vol. 7, núm. 2, p. e31135
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Articles publicats (D-CCAA)
dc.rights
Attribution 3.0 Spain
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dc.subject
dc.title
Marine Invasion in the Mediterranean Sea: The Role of Abiotic Factors When There Is No Biological Resistance
dc.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.rights.accessRights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.relation.projectID
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/248252/EU/Effects of global warming and alien species invasions on high diverse communities of NW Mediterranean Sea./CORALCHANGE
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info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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dc.identifier.eissn
1932-6203