Castro Karen Lidia, Battini Nicolás, Giachetti Clara Belen, Trovant Berenice, Abelando Mariana, Basso Néstor Guillermo, Schwindt Evangelina
Grupo de Ecología en Ambientes Costeros (GEAC), Argentina; Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos (IBIOMAR-CONICET), Blvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional Del Comahue (CRUB, UNCo), Quintral 1250, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.
Grupo de Ecología en Ambientes Costeros (GEAC), Argentina; Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos (IBIOMAR-CONICET), Blvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
J Environ Manage. 2021 Nov 1;297:113333. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113333. Epub 2021 Jul 27.
Early detection and rapid response plans are a set of principles to reduce the establishment, spread and impact of invasive species and it is a critical step in management in marine ecosystems. Two potentially invasive ascidians attached to the hull of a recently sunk fishing vessel were early detected in Patagonia. With the aim of assisting in the management decision-making process during the early steps of a rapid response, we conducted several analyses through different approaches. First, we identified the species through classic taxonomical and genetic analyses. Then, we evaluated the regional and international shipping connectivity to study potential donor regions and finally, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to predict the potential distribution of these species. The potentially invasive ascidians were identified as Styela clava and Styela plicata, and this is the first record for both species in the Nuevo gulf, Patagonia Argentina. Both species have a widespread distribution around the world with strong ecological and economic impacts documented. Shipping traffic analysis suggested that S. plicata could have arrived by secondary spread from regional ports, while the arrival of S. clava was likely to be associated with international shipping traffic. Furthermore, the SDM predicted that S. clava has suitable coastal areas along the entire Southwestern Atlantic shoreline, where it is currently absent. On the contrary, the SDM predicted that further southward spread of S. plicata is unlikely, being limited by the minimum annual temperature. We discussed the different approaches, tools, and expertise integrated in this work in the light of the decision-making process for the early detection of marine invasive species in the Southwestern Atlantic. Moreover, we call attention to the increased creation of artificial habitats through the intentional sinking of ships and the potential consequences of these actions in the conservation of marine ecosystems.
早期检测与快速反应计划是一套旨在减少入侵物种的建立、扩散及其影响的原则，是海洋生态系统管理中的关键一步。在巴塔哥尼亚，人们早期检测到附着在一艘最近沉没的渔船上的两种具有潜在入侵性的海鞘。为了在快速反应的早期阶段协助管理决策过程，我们通过不同方法进行了多项分析。首先，我们通过经典分类学和基因分析确定了物种。然后，我们评估了区域和国际航运连通性，以研究潜在的来源区域，最后，我们使用物种分布模型（SDM）来预测这些物种的潜在分布。这两种具有潜在入侵性的海鞘被确定为柄海鞘和皱瘤海鞘，这是这两个物种在阿根廷巴塔哥尼亚新海湾的首次记录。这两个物种在世界各地广泛分布，都有显著的生态和经济影响记录。航运交通分析表明，皱瘤海鞘可能是从区域港口二次传播而来，而柄海鞘的到来可能与国际航运交通有关。此外，物种分布模型预测，柄海鞘在整个西南大西洋海岸线目前没有分布的地方有适宜的沿海区域。相反，物种分布模型预测皱瘤海鞘向南进一步扩散的可能性不大，因为受到最低年温度的限制。我们根据西南大西洋海洋入侵物种早期检测的决策过程，讨论了这项工作中整合的不同方法、工具和专业知识。此外，我们提请注意因故意沉船而增加的人工栖息地的形成以及这些行动对海洋生态系统保护的潜在后果。
