G. Banach-Esteve, M. Vázquez Luis, Salud Deudero Company, 2015. Temporal trends in sessile epibionts of the endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis: variability in Lophocladia lallemandii colonization. Thalassas, 31(2) · July 2015: 19-29.

Abstract: Invasive species are a primary factor threatening ecological communities worldwide. The red macroalga Lophocladia lallemandii (Montagne) F. Schmitz is a well-documented invader in the Mediterranean. MPAs are under ecological threats of marine invaders, and sessile, long-lived species are particularly vulnerable to invasions. Understanding processes of species interactions is crucial for developing appropriate management actions. Pinna nobilis is a protected endemic vulnerable species under several impacts. An interaction of L. lallemandii algal cover over the fan shell on the epibiont species composition and cover index has been tested in a high density Pinna population. The study was carried out monthly from April to November 2011 to assess shifts in temporal distribution of sessile epibiont organisms on increasing shells size classes of P. nobilis altogether with the assessment of Lophocladia invasion quantified with the Braun-Blanquet cover index. The community of sessile epibionts on the shell of P. nobilis is ecologically important as it contributes to increase biotope complexity. Native species communities on P. nobilis shells have high variability in the number of species, species cover, and species richness, with diversity index decreasing with increasing L. lallemandii cover, although a cause-effect cannot be assured and it seems more atribuible to natural variability.

Keywords: sessile epibionts, Pinnidae, seaweed, invasive, Lophocladia lallemandii, MPAs.

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