Macrobenthic fouling assemblages and NIS success in a Mediterranean port: The role of use destination

Abstract

Macrozoobenthic fouling assemblages were studied in the port area of Livorno, focusing on the occurrence of non-indigenous species (NIS). Sampling was carried out at ten sites characterised by different anthropic impacts related to their use destination. Among the 262 species identified, twenty-six were alien or cryptogenic, seventeen of which were new records for the study area, confirming the role of the port of Livorno as a hotspot of NIS introduction. Multivariate analyses highlighted a strong influence of the use destination on the diversity of macrozoobenthic communities. Even though the majority of transoceanic maritime traffic from and to Livorno pertains to the commercial harbour, the touristic harbour hosted the highest number of NIS, possibly because of secondary spread from other Mediterranean ports. The ALien Biotic IndEX (ALEX) identified all sites as high or good environmental status, but the large number of NIS detected suggests caution about their impact and further spread.

Keywords: Alien species; Hard bottoms; Human impact; Macrozoobenthos; Ports; Western Mediterranean.