Marine macroinvertebrates fouled in marine anthropogenic litter in the Moroccan Mediterranean
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
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| Keywords |
Transport > Sediment transport > Rafting
Lepas anatifera Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]; Lepas pectinata Spengler, 1793 [WoRMS]; Perforatus perforatus (Bruguière, 1789) [WoRMS]
MED, Mediterranean [Marine Regions]; Morocco [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Fouling biota; Marine debris; Non-indigenous species; Rafting; Vector |
| Authors | | Top |
- Mghili, B.
- De-la-Torre, G.E.
- Analla, M.
- Aksissou, M.
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| Abstract |
The existence of floating marine litter in marine environments enhances the potential for the transport of fouling organisms using these substrates as vectors. In this study, we examined the fouling organisms on different types of litter stranded on two beaches of the Moroccan Mediterranean. The study revealed 13 fouling species belonging to 8 phyla (Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Annelida, Mollusca, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta) on marine litter. Rafting vectors were almost exclusively made up of plastics and could mainly be attributed to land-based sources. The most common fouling species were the crustacean Lepas pectinata, Lepas anatifera, Perforatus perforatus, and bryozoan species. More taxa were found on large litter than on small litter. Relative substratum coverage was highest for bryozoan sp. (31.0 %), green algae (29.0 %), Lepas anatifera (21.42 %), Lepas pectinata (17.8 %), and Perforatus perforatus (17.46 %). Our results suggest that the growing generation of plastic litter may enhance the probability of the introduction of non-native species into the Moroccan Mediterranean. Therefore, monitoring efforts are needed to identify vectors and the arrival of novel invasive species in this area. |
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