Intissar MNASRI-AFIFI, ZRIBI I., ABEDELKADER N., CHARFICHEIKHROUHA F., ZAKHAMA-SRAIEB R.
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Diversity,
Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06, Tunis, Tunisia
E-mail: mnasri.intissarnis@gmail.com
MONITORING MARINE ALIEN FAUNA IN MARINA OF GAMMARTH
(BAY OF TUNIS, TUNISIA) WITH THE SERC PROTOCOL
Abstract
The introduction of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in marine ecosystems is considered one of the
most important consequences of global warming, inducing both ecological and economic
impacts. Indeed, the Mediterranean is the most invaded sea in the world. However, the most study
on NIS are focused on new records and there are no standard tools of monitoring of NIS in
Mediterranean Sea in general and in Tunisia in particular; In the last decades, it was been
demonstrate that marinas are a hotspot of NIS, and the regular monitoring is essential to control
the multiplication, spread and sprawl of NIS. Here we used the Protocol developed by
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) for sessile fouling species in the southern
Mediterranean Sea. In March 2019, 36 PVC plates (20×20 cm) were immersed in nine zones of
the touristic port of Gammarth (North coast of Tunisia). Seasonal monitoring was conducted
every three months and retrieved plates were observed under stereomicroscope for taxonomic
identification of sessile invertebrates. A total of ten NIS was identified belonging to Bryozoan:
Bugula stolonifera, Bugula neritina, Watersipora subtorquata, Watersipora arcuata; Ascidian:
Clavelina lepadiformis, Botrylloides violaceus, Botryllus schlosseri, Ecteinascidia turbinata,
Ciona robusta; Polychaeta: Hydroides elegans. five are reported for the first time in marinas of
Tunisia. W. subtorquata and H. elegans were the most abundant species in our samples. However,
NIS assemblages were quite similar whatever the season and zone.
Key-words: Species richness, Fouling communities, PVC plates, Marina.
Introduction
Marinas have been classed one of the most vectors of introduction and a spread of NIS in
the Mediterranean via recreation boats (Ulman et al., 2019). In the last years, several
methods have been developed for sampling marinas based on various techniques such as,
rapid assessment survey, scraping, quadrat, and settlement plates. A combination of
methods seems to be the best solution for monitoring biofouling. We assay here a recent
protocol for monitoring NIS in marinas developed by Smithsonian Environmental
Research Center (SERC protocol)
Materials and Method
Study was carried out during 1 year starting in March 2019 in Marina Gammarth
(36.920158” N 10.306954” E). 36 PVC plates were emerged in 9 zones following the
SERC protocol described in Jimenez et al. (2018). Each 3 months, 9 plates were retrieved
and observed under stereomicroscope for taxonomic identification of sessile
invertebrates. ANOVA two way was performed to test for differences in abundance of
NIS across the sampling zone according to season variations and zone.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
109
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Diversity,
Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06, Tunis, Tunisia
E-mail: mnasri.intissarnis@gmail.com
MONITORING MARINE ALIEN FAUNA IN MARINA OF GAMMARTH
(BAY OF TUNIS, TUNISIA) WITH THE SERC PROTOCOL
Abstract
The introduction of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in marine ecosystems is considered one of the
most important consequences of global warming, inducing both ecological and economic
impacts. Indeed, the Mediterranean is the most invaded sea in the world. However, the most study
on NIS are focused on new records and there are no standard tools of monitoring of NIS in
Mediterranean Sea in general and in Tunisia in particular; In the last decades, it was been
demonstrate that marinas are a hotspot of NIS, and the regular monitoring is essential to control
the multiplication, spread and sprawl of NIS. Here we used the Protocol developed by
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) for sessile fouling species in the southern
Mediterranean Sea. In March 2019, 36 PVC plates (20×20 cm) were immersed in nine zones of
the touristic port of Gammarth (North coast of Tunisia). Seasonal monitoring was conducted
every three months and retrieved plates were observed under stereomicroscope for taxonomic
identification of sessile invertebrates. A total of ten NIS was identified belonging to Bryozoan:
Bugula stolonifera, Bugula neritina, Watersipora subtorquata, Watersipora arcuata; Ascidian:
Clavelina lepadiformis, Botrylloides violaceus, Botryllus schlosseri, Ecteinascidia turbinata,
Ciona robusta; Polychaeta: Hydroides elegans. five are reported for the first time in marinas of
Tunisia. W. subtorquata and H. elegans were the most abundant species in our samples. However,
NIS assemblages were quite similar whatever the season and zone.
Key-words: Species richness, Fouling communities, PVC plates, Marina.
Introduction
Marinas have been classed one of the most vectors of introduction and a spread of NIS in
the Mediterranean via recreation boats (Ulman et al., 2019). In the last years, several
methods have been developed for sampling marinas based on various techniques such as,
rapid assessment survey, scraping, quadrat, and settlement plates. A combination of
methods seems to be the best solution for monitoring biofouling. We assay here a recent
protocol for monitoring NIS in marinas developed by Smithsonian Environmental
Research Center (SERC protocol)
Materials and Method
Study was carried out during 1 year starting in March 2019 in Marina Gammarth
(36.920158” N 10.306954” E). 36 PVC plates were emerged in 9 zones following the
SERC protocol described in Jimenez et al. (2018). Each 3 months, 9 plates were retrieved
and observed under stereomicroscope for taxonomic identification of sessile
invertebrates. ANOVA two way was performed to test for differences in abundance of
NIS across the sampling zone according to season variations and zone.
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
109