Ecology of the invasive species Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel,1923) in an estuary of the southern Baltic Sea
Weitzel, J. (2021). Ecology of the invasive species Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel,1923) in an estuary of the southern Baltic Sea. BA Thesis. Universität Rostock: Rostock. 50 pp.
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| Beschikbaar in | Auteur |
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Documenttype: Doctoraat/Thesis/Eindwerk
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| Abstract |
This thesis focuses on the distribution of the recently introduced polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) on the Baltic Sea coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Additionally, a review of the current state of research in the literature regarding global distribution, morphology and ecology as well as the influence of the tube-building species is given. Ecologically, both biotic and abiotic factors affecting the establishment are considered. Moreover, a breakdown of the fauna associated with the serpulids is carried out and compared to the literature. To obtain information on the distribution of the species on the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, different sites along the southern Baltic Sea coast and in the Warnow Estuary were investigated for the presence of the tubeworm. Additionally, a quantitative and qualitative study of the fouling on hard substrate in the depth gradient was carried out, which was sampled in a port facility. The study revealed the presence of F. enigmaticus at various sites in the Lower Warnow River with the greatest abundance between three and four meters depth. There it cohabits with species of the taxa Annelida, Bryozoa, Cnidaria, Crustacea, Hexapoda, Mollusca and Platyhelminthes. The ecological conditions of the estuary fulfill the requirements of the serpulids. The most critical abiotic factor for the species, which originally has a tropical or subtropical distribution, is the water temperature. In late summer, the temperature required for reproduction is reached, but in cold winters a decline in the population is possible. However, it is also likely that a significant increase in abundance may occur if water temperature increases due to climate change. Therefore, even after this inventory, it is important to continue to monitor the spread of the species in the future. |
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