Elysia subornata (Mollusca) a potential control agent of the alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea

Thierry Thibaut; Alexandre Meinesz; Philippe Amade; Stéphane Charrier; Kate De Angelis; Santina Ierardi; Luisa Mangialajo; Jennifer Melnick; Valérie Vidal

doi:10.1017/S0025315401004143

Abstract

The biological characteristics of Elysia subornata (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) were studied in an aquarium to assess its risks and chance of success as a potential biological control agent against the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea. This species feeds only on Caulerpa and has benthic larval development. Dietary switching is possible on some Mediterranean Caulerpales but feeding on other algae and sea grass is unlikely. The main limiting factor for the success of studied Caribbean strain of E. subornata are the Mediterranean winter temperatures which are lethal for that species. For the five months of the year which are favourable for feeding, growth and reproduction, the tested strain of E. subornata cannot reach a population density capable of controlling C. taxifolia.

Crossref Citations

This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by Crossref.

Coquillard, P. Thibaut, T. Hill, D.R.C. Gueugnot, J. Mazel, C. and Coquillard, Y. 2000. Simulation of the mollusc Ascoglossa Elysia subornata population dynamics: application to the potential biocontrol of Caulerpa taxifolia growth in the Mediterranean Sea. Ecological Modelling, Vol. 135, Issue. 1, p. 1.

Secord, David 2003. Marine Bioinvasions: Patterns, Processes and Perspectives. p. 117.

Thibaut, Thierry and Meinesz, Alexandre 2004. Aquatic Invasions in the Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas. Vol. 35, Issue. , p. 287.

Trowbridge, Cynthia D. 2004. Emerging associations on marine rocky shores: specialist herbivores on introduced macroalgae. Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 73, Issue. 2, p. 294.

Glasby, Tim M. Gibson, Peter T. and Kay, Steven 2005. Tolerance of the invasive marine alga Caulerpa taxifolia to burial by sediment. Aquatic Botany, Vol. 82, Issue. 2, p. 71.

Cavas, Levent and Yurdakoc, Kadir 2005. A comparative study: Assessment of the antioxidant system in the invasive green alga Caulerpa racemosa and some macrophytes from the Mediterranean. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol. 321, Issue. 1, p. 35.

Cavas, Levent Yurdakoc, Kadir and Yokes, Baki 2005. Antioxidant status of Lobiger serradifalci and Oxynoe olivacea (Opisthobranchia, Mollusca). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol. 314, Issue. 2, p. 227.

Davis, A. R. Benkendorff, K. and Ward, D. W. 2005. Responses of common SE Australian herbivores to three suspected invasive Caulerpa spp.. Marine Biology, Vol. 146, Issue. 5, p. 859.

Chapman, David Ranelletti, Marla and Kaushik, Shalini 2006. Invasive Marine Algae: An Ecological Perspective. The Botanical Review, Vol. 72, Issue. 2, p. 153.

Sureda, Antoni Box, Antonio Enseñat, Miguel Alou, Eva Tauler, Pedro Deudero, Salud and Pons, Antoni 2006. Enzymatic antioxidant response of a labrid fish (Coris julis) liver to environmental caulerpenyne. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, Vol. 144, Issue. 2, p. 191.

Curtis, Nicholas E. Massey, Steven E. and Pierce, Sidney K. 2006. The symbiotic chloroplasts in the sacoglossanElysia clarkiare from several algal species. Invertebrate Biology, Vol. 125, Issue. 4, p. 336.

Paul, Valerie J. Arthur, Karen E. Ritson-Williams, Raphael Ross, Cliff and Sharp, Koty 2007. Chemical Defenses: From Compounds to Communities. The Biological Bulletin, Vol. 213, Issue. 3, p. 226.

Williams, Susan L. and Smith, Jennifer E. 2007. A Global Review of the Distribution, Taxonomy, and Impacts of Introduced Seaweeds. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, Vol. 38, Issue. 1, p. 327.

Figueiredo, Joana Narciso, Luís Turingan, Ralph and Lin, Junda 2007. Efficiency of using emerald crabs Mithraculus sculptus to control bubble alga Ventricaria ventricosa (syn. Valonia ventricosa) in aquaria habitats. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Vol. 88, Issue. 1, p. 95.

Wagner, Daniel Kahng, Samuel E. and Toonen, Robert J. 2009. Observations on the life history and feeding ecology of a specialized nudibranch predator (Phyllodesmium poindimiei), with implications for biocontrol of an invasive octocoral (Carijoa riisei) in Hawaii. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol. 372, Issue. 1-2, p. 64.

Walters, Linda 2009. Management of Invasive Weeds. Vol. 5, Issue. , p. 287.

Burfeind, Dana D. Tibbetts, Ian R. and Udy, James W. 2009. Grazing rates of Elysia tomentosa on native and introduced Caulerpa taxifolia. Hydrobiologia, Vol. 632, Issue. 1, p. 355.

Cavas, Levent and Pohnert, Georg 2010. Seaweeds and their Role in Globally Changing Environments. Vol. 15, Issue. , p. 385.

Tomas, Fiona Box, Antonio and Terrados, Jorge 2011. Effects of invasive seaweeds on feeding preference and performance of a keystone Mediterranean herbivore. Biological Invasions, Vol. 13, Issue. 7, p. 1559.

Atalah, Javier Bennett, Holly Hopkins, Grant A. and Forrest, Barrie M. 2013. Evaluation of the sea anemoneAnthothoe albocinctaas an augmentative biocontrol agent for biofouling on artificial structures. Biofouling, Vol. 29, Issue. 5, p. 559.

Download full list

Article contents

Elysia subornata (Mollusca) a potential control agent of the alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Access options

This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by Crossref.

Article contents

Elysia subornata (Mollusca) a potential control agent of the alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Access options

Save article to Kindle

Save article to Dropbox

Save article to Google Drive

Reply to: Submit a response

Your details

You have entered the maximum number of contributors

Conflicting interests