Abstract
Here we present the first observation of 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.
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10530_2011_43_MOESM1_ESM.mpg
Online Resource – Video 1 Shallow rocky bottom affected by Caulerpa racemosa. Diver is collecting a sponge (Sarcotragus spinosulus) completely overgrown by the invasive alga at a depth of 7 m. Note that diver detaches the invaded sponge only by hand, which is not possible if the sponge is healthy (MPG 8431 kb)
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Žuljević, A., Thibaut, T., Despalatović, M. et al. Invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea makes a strong impact on the Mediterranean sponge Sarcotragus spinosulus . Biol Invasions 13, 2303–2308 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-0043-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-0043-6