Exotic Species in Aquatic Environments

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 2172

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
Interests: marine biology; coastal impacts; seagrasses; macrophytes; exotic species; bioindicators; mitigation impacts
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Guest Editor
Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
Interests: marine phytobenthos; macrophytes; coastal impacts; exotic species; bioindicators; benthic communities; global change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The introduction of exotic species into aquatic environments is a significant environmental issue with far-reaching consequences. Exotic species, also known as alien or non-indigenous species (NIS), refer to organisms that have been introduced to regions outside their natural range due to human activities. This introduction can occur through various pathways, including the discharge of ballast water from ships, aquaculture practices, the aquarium trade, accidental releases, and intentional species introductions for recreational purposes. Once established, these species have the potential to rapidly spread and become invasive, leading to competition with native species and causing economic and ecological harm. The proliferation of exotic species in aquatic environments poses a threat to biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human activities, such as fisheries and water resource management.

This Special Issue aims to gather current research on the introduction and dispersal of new exotic species in aquatic environments. We are particularly interested in studies focusing on the potential ecological and economic impacts of non-indigenous species (NIS). Research encompassing monitoring and management strategies, including control and eradication measures, as well as the restoration of impacted ecosystems to their original states, are also highly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Yolanda Fernández Torquemada
Prof. Dr. Marc Terradas Fernández
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • exotic, alien, or non-indigenous species (NIS)
  • invasive species
  • ecological impacts
  • biodiversity
  • introduction pathways
  • invasion mechanisms
  • prevention and control
  • management strategies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 248 KiB  
Article
Heterogeneity of Biochemical Parameters of Non-Native Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Spawners at the Beginning of Up-River Movements
by Ekaterina V. Ganzha, Dmitry S. Pavlov and Efim D. Pavlov
Water 2024, 16(14), 2000; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142000 - 15 Jul 2024
Viewed by 580
Abstract
In the last decades, non-native pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha successfully spread and occupied the rivers of the White Sea basin. We studied twenty-two blood parameters characterizing lipid metabolism, osmoregulation, energy exchange, and steroidogenesis at the crucial time point of pink salmon spawning migration: [...] Read more.
In the last decades, non-native pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha successfully spread and occupied the rivers of the White Sea basin. We studied twenty-two blood parameters characterizing lipid metabolism, osmoregulation, energy exchange, and steroidogenesis at the crucial time point of pink salmon spawning migration: the passage of the critical salinity barrier in the estuary, preceding the migration upstream of the Umba River. The heterogeneity of biochemical parameters of non-native pink salmon predominantly was demonstrated in sexual dimorphism. We attributed this result to two main processes: maturation features and different timings of fish running from seawater to freshwater. Maturation features were characterized by differences between females and males in concentrations of estradiol-17β, triglycerides, and alanine aminotransferase. Both sexes had increased levels of cortisol due to changes in fish osmoregulation. Females had higher levels of cortisol, total protein, and calcium in comparison with males, which indicated that pink salmon females run to the river later than males. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exotic Species in Aquatic Environments)
13 pages, 2192 KiB  
Article
Factors Explaining the Distribution of Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) in Freshwaters of Morocco
by Abdelkhaleq F. Taybi, Youness Mabrouki, Peter Glöer and Christophe Piscart
Water 2024, 16(6), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16060803 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1273
Abstract
Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor their presence and expansion within invaded areas and carry out studies to improve our knowledge of their biology and ecology. One of the most effective and spectacular invaders [...] Read more.
Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor their presence and expansion within invaded areas and carry out studies to improve our knowledge of their biology and ecology. One of the most effective and spectacular invaders among freshwater snails is the acute bladder snail (Physella acuta) (Draparnaud, 1805). This study aims to update the available data on P. acuta in Morocco and determine the main environmental factors that favor its distribution and expansion in this country. Field surveys were conducted in northern Morocco between 2014 and 2023, with a focus on protected areas such as Ramsar sites, and especially great geographical barriers such as the Middle Atlas Mountains and the Sebou and Moulouya River basins. The gastropods were collected using Surber samplers (20 × 25 cm surface area, 400 µm mesh), together with measurements of the physicochemical parameters of the water and other abiotic factors. The bladder snail is probably the most widespread freshwater snail in Morocco, where the species appears to be highly adaptable and can thrive in different habitats, including degraded ones, showing great plasticity in terms of the physicochemical parameters of the water. The main factor limiting the geographical distribution and abundance of P. acuta in the study area was water velocity and conductivity. However, further studies are required to address the future range of expansion of P. acuta in relation to climate change. Although one of the consequences of climate change is reduced water flow speed, which may promote its range of expansion in Morocco, salinization of streams may also reduce its ability to colonize new environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exotic Species in Aquatic Environments)
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