The invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis hosts a low diverse and less trophic structured molluscan assemblage compared with the native Ericaria brachycarpa. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mancuso, F. Paolo; D'Agostaro, Riccardo; Milazzo, Marco; Chemello, Renato
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 166(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Molluscs diversity -- Trophic guilds -- Cystoseira sensu lato -- Ericaria brachycarpa -- Asparagopsis taxiformis -- Mediterranean sea; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: Invasive seaweeds threaten biodiversity and socio-economics values of worldwide marine ecosystems. Understanding to what extent invasive seaweeds can modify local biodiversity is one of the main priorities in conservation ecology. We compared the molluscan assemblage of the invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis with that of the native Ericaria brachycarpa and explore if variation in the molluscan assemblage diversity was related to the substrate attributes (biomass, and thallus, canopy, and interstitial volumes) of the algae. Results showed that A. taxiformis harboured lower diversity and trophic structure of the molluscan assemblage compared to E. brachycarpa . Biomass was the variable that better explained the variation of abundance and number of species as well as the multivariate structure of the molluscan assemblage. Overall, our results suggest that a complete habitat shift from native to invasive species can potentially trigger bottom-up effects in rocky shores habitats, reducing the biodiversity and the services provided by the invaded habitat. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A. taxiformis hosted lower diverse molluscan assemblage compared to E. brachycarpa . Molluscan abundance and diversity changed with variation in algal biomass. A. taxiformis undermine the biodiversity and the services provided by E. brachycarpa .