spread into this region (Robinson et al. 2015; Skein et al. 2018a). Notably, laboratory
studies suggest that S. algosus will continue to spread along the south coast but that
M. galloprovincialis is likely to maintain dominance (Alexander et al. 2015). In
contrast, feeding experiments predict that B. glandula could hold an even greater
advantage on the south coast (Pope et al. 2016). While the extent to which the
S. algosus and B. glandula will continue to spread, and the impacts that will result,
remain to be seen, it is clear that together with M. galloprovincialis they have already
altered large stretches of the South African coast.
9.7 Conclusion
Substantial progress has been made in establishing the status and distribution of
marine alien species along the South African coast. As the number of alien taxa
continues to rise, the need to prevent incursions and manage problematic species is
becoming more pressing. In an country with limited biosecurity resources, it is vital
that research be strategically undertaken so as to support evidence-based management that is both effective and efficient.
References
Alexander ME, Raven H, Robinson TB (2015) Foraging decisions of a native whelk, Trochia
cingulata Linnaeus, and the effects of invasive mussels on prey choice. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol
470:26–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2015.04.023
Alexander ME, Simon CA, Griffiths CL et al (2016) Back to the future: reflections and directions of
South African marine bio-invasion research. Afr J Mar Sci 38:141–144. https://doi.org/10.2989/
1814232X.2016.1159984
Arntz WE, Tarazona J, Gallardo VA et al (1991) Benthos communities in oxygen deficient shelf and
upper slope areas of the Peruvian and Chilean Pacific coast, and changes caused by El Niño.
Geol Soc 58:131–154. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1991.058.01.10
Ashton GV (2006) Distribution and dispersal of the non-native caprellid amphipod, Caprella
mutica Schurin 1935. PhD Thesis, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
Assis J, Zupan M, Nicastro KR et al (2015) Oceanographic conditions limit the spread of a marine
invader along southern African shores. PLoS One 10:e0128124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.
pone.0128124
Awad AA (2002) Introduced marine species across southern Africa. In: Macdonald IAW, Reaser
JK, Bright C et al (eds) Invasive alien species in Southern Africa – national reports and directory
of resources. Global Invasive Species Programme, Cape Town, pp 86–90
Bownes SJ, McQuaid CD (2010) Mechanisms of habitat segregation between an invasive (Mytilus
galloprovincialis) and an indigenous (Perna perna) mussel: adult growth and mortality. Mar
Biol 157:1799–1810. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1452-2
Branch GM, Griffiths CL (1988) The Benguela ecosystem. Part V. The coastal zone. Oceanogr Mar
Biol Annu Rev 26:395–486
Branch GM, Steffani CN (2004) Can we predict the effects of alien species? A case history of the
invasion of South Africa by Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol
300:189–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2003.12.007
9 Coastal Invasions: The South African Context
243
studies suggest that S. algosus will continue to spread along the south coast but that
M. galloprovincialis is likely to maintain dominance (Alexander et al. 2015). In
contrast, feeding experiments predict that B. glandula could hold an even greater
advantage on the south coast (Pope et al. 2016). While the extent to which the
S. algosus and B. glandula will continue to spread, and the impacts that will result,
remain to be seen, it is clear that together with M. galloprovincialis they have already
altered large stretches of the South African coast.
9.7 Conclusion
Substantial progress has been made in establishing the status and distribution of
marine alien species along the South African coast. As the number of alien taxa
continues to rise, the need to prevent incursions and manage problematic species is
becoming more pressing. In an country with limited biosecurity resources, it is vital
that research be strategically undertaken so as to support evidence-based management that is both effective and efficient.
References
Alexander ME, Raven H, Robinson TB (2015) Foraging decisions of a native whelk, Trochia
cingulata Linnaeus, and the effects of invasive mussels on prey choice. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol
470:26–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2015.04.023
Alexander ME, Simon CA, Griffiths CL et al (2016) Back to the future: reflections and directions of
South African marine bio-invasion research. Afr J Mar Sci 38:141–144. https://doi.org/10.2989/
1814232X.2016.1159984
Arntz WE, Tarazona J, Gallardo VA et al (1991) Benthos communities in oxygen deficient shelf and
upper slope areas of the Peruvian and Chilean Pacific coast, and changes caused by El Niño.
Geol Soc 58:131–154. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1991.058.01.10
Ashton GV (2006) Distribution and dispersal of the non-native caprellid amphipod, Caprella
mutica Schurin 1935. PhD Thesis, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
Assis J, Zupan M, Nicastro KR et al (2015) Oceanographic conditions limit the spread of a marine
invader along southern African shores. PLoS One 10:e0128124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.
pone.0128124
Awad AA (2002) Introduced marine species across southern Africa. In: Macdonald IAW, Reaser
JK, Bright C et al (eds) Invasive alien species in Southern Africa – national reports and directory
of resources. Global Invasive Species Programme, Cape Town, pp 86–90
Bownes SJ, McQuaid CD (2010) Mechanisms of habitat segregation between an invasive (Mytilus
galloprovincialis) and an indigenous (Perna perna) mussel: adult growth and mortality. Mar
Biol 157:1799–1810. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1452-2
Branch GM, Griffiths CL (1988) The Benguela ecosystem. Part V. The coastal zone. Oceanogr Mar
Biol Annu Rev 26:395–486
Branch GM, Steffani CN (2004) Can we predict the effects of alien species? A case history of the
invasion of South Africa by Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol
300:189–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2003.12.007
9 Coastal Invasions: The South African Context
243