The hidden invasion of the alien seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål) Ascherson along Southeastern Italy
Published:
Feb 10, 2023
Keywords:
Non-indigenous species invasive species Lessepsian species Mediterranean Sea
Abstract
The seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål) Ascherson (Hydrocharitaceae) is a non-indigenous species (NIS) for the Mediterranean
Sea. This species is expected to have a high potential for invasiveness based on models predicting the present and future
suitability of the Mediterranean coasts with respect to the plant requirements. This species was recorded for the first time along
the Apulian coast in the Otranto harbor in 2011. Such a record was not considered in recent publications dealing with the species
distribution and its forecasted invasion pathway, probably due to the scant information provided. One decade after its first record
in the area, we confirmed the presence of the H. stipulacea meadow in the same locality (Otranto), and we identified four new H.
stipulacea meadows along the Ionian coast are between 1 and 30 m deep in touristic areas. Indirect evidence suggests that the plant
is actively spreading along the southeastern Italian coast, and monitoring programs aiming at mapping its distribution in the area,
as well as its potential effect on the native biota, are required.
Article Details
- How to Cite
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TOSO, A., & MUSCO, L. (2023). The hidden invasion of the alien seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål) Ascherson along Southeastern Italy. Mediterranean Marine Science, 24(1), 96–100. https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.31497
- Section
- Short Communication
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