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Long‐term demographic and reproductive trends in C iona intestinalis sp. A
Author(s) -
Caputi Luigi,
Crocetta Fabio,
Toscano Francesco,
Sordino Paolo,
Cirino Paola
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
marine ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1439-0485
pISSN - 0173-9565
DOI - 10.1111/maec.12125
Subject(s) - abundance (ecology) , biology , marine invertebrates , ecology , population , reproductive biology , human fertilization , invertebrate , sampling (signal processing) , population ecology , zoology , fishery , demography , embryo , sociology , agronomy , embryogenesis , filter (signal processing) , computer science , computer vision
C iona intestinalis sp. A ( T unicata, A scidiacea) is a marine invertebrate with a widespread distribution and high invasive potential, yet little is known about its ecology. Here, the macrodynamics of demographic and reproductive trends were first determined using archive data covering 2002–2012. Species abundance in the central T yrrhenian S ea ( C ampania, I taly ‐ NW M editerranean) displayed P oisson distribution across 2002–2008, massive die‐off in 2009/2010 and population recovery in 2011/2012. We defined the seasonal ranges of sea surface temperature in which sampling size, animal size and reproductive status reached their highest values. In 2003/2004, self and non‐self fertilization appeared to follow reverse trends across the year. The long‐term recording run here on C iona intestinalis sp. A provides novel insights into its population biology and ecology, and represents a valuable tool for sampling management and research planning.