Areal expansion of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Linnaeus, 1758) towards the Ionian coasts of the Basilicata region (Italy)

Authors

  • Antonio O. Lillo Environmental Research Foundation of Basilicata Region (FARBAS), Largo C. Azzarà 1, 85100 Potenza, Italy - Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7312-2170
  • Gianvito Gianvito Environmental Research Foundation of Basilicata Region (FARBAS), Largo C. Azzarà 1, 85100 Potenza, Italy - Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy
  • Giovanna Filippo Environmental Research Foundation of Basilicata Region (FARBAS), Largo C. Azzarà 1, 85100 Potenza, Italy - Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy
  • Salvatore Longo Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy.
  • Alessandro Pipino Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy.
  • Achille Palma Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy.
  • Teresa Trabace Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47193/mafis.3812025010106

Keywords:

Cnidaria, Cubozoa, Mediterranean Sea, sea warming

Abstract

The study documents the presence of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis in the waters of the Ionian Sea in Italy, which constitutes important data for the knowledge of new areal distribution of this species along the coasts of the Mediterranean basin. Carybdea marsupialis belongs to the phylum Cnidaria, class Cubozoa, and is known for its stinging and potentially dangerous stings for humans, making it a species of significant ecological and health interest. The species has previously been observed in other areas of the western Mediterranean, but the report in the Ionian Sea represents an eastward expansion of its distribution range. Results suggest that climate change, influenced by global warming processes and anthropogenic activities, facilitated the expansion of this species into the rest of the Mediterranean Sea. The work highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of indigenous and non-indigenous species and calls for international cooperation to manage any ecological impacts linked to the spread of these marine species.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biography

Achille Palma, Metaponto Research Centre, Regional Agency for the Environmental Prevention and Protection of Basilicata (ARPAB), S. S. Jonica 106, 75012 Metaponto, Italy.

References

Acevedo M. 2016. Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) [PhD thesis]. Barcelona: Polytechnic University of Catalunya. 129 p.

Avian M, Budri N, Rottini Sandrini L. 1997. The nematocysts of Carybdea marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 (Cubozoa). In: den Harlog JC, editor. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Celenterate Biology. The Leeuwenhorst, Noordwijkerhout, The Neherlands. 16-21 July 1995. Leiden: Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum p. 21-26.

Bailey PM, Bakker AJ, Seymour JE, Wilce JA. 2005. A functional comparison of the venom of three Australian jellyfish-Chironex fleckeri, Chiropsalmus sp., and Carybdea xaymacana-on cytosolic Ca2+, haemolysis and Artemia sp. lethality. Toxicon. 45 (2): 233-242. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2004.10.013

Bentlage B, Peterson AT, Cartwright P. 2009. Inferring distributions of chirodropid box-jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) in geographic and ecological space using ecological niche modeling. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 384: 121-133. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08012

Bianchi CN, Morri C. 2003. Global sea warming and “tropicalization” of the Mediterranean Sea: biogeographic and ecological aspects. Biogeographia. 24 (1): 319-327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21426/B6110129

Boero F. 2013. Review of jellyfish blooms in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Studies and Reviews. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. 92. Roma: FAO. 53 p.

Boero F, Bouillon J, Gravili C, Miglietta MP, Parsons T, Piraino S. 2008. Gelatinous plankton: irregularities rule the world (sometimes). Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 356: 299-310. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07368

Bordehore C, Fuentes VL, Atienza D, Barberá C, Fernandez-Jover D, Roig M, Acevedo-Dudley MJ, Canepa AJ, Gili JM. 2011. Detection of an unusual presence of the cubozoan Carybdea marsupialis at shallow beaches located near Denia, Spain (southwestern Mediterranean). Mar Biodivers Rec. 4: e69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755267211000650

Bordehore C, Manchado-Pérez S, Fonfría ES. 2023. Swimming ability of the Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeidae): implications for its spatial distribution. BioRxiv. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.06.539705 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.06.539705

Canepa A, Fuentes V, Bosch-Belmar M, Acevedo M, Toledo-Guedes K, Ortiz A, Durá E, Bordehore C, Gili J-M. 2017. Environmental factors influencing the spatiotemporal distribution of Carybdea marsupialis (Lineo, 1978, Cubozoa) in South-Western Mediterranean coasts. PLoS ONE. 12 (7): e0181611. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181611

Chiu JMY, Zhang R, Wang H, Thiyagarajan V, Qian PY. 2008. Nutrient effects on intertidal community: from bacteria to invertebrates. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 358: 41-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07310

[CIESM] Commission Internationale pour l’Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Méditerranée. 2001. Gelatinous zooplankton outbreaks: theory and practice. Naples: CIESM Workshop Monographs. no. 14. 112 p.

Di Camillo C, Bo M, Puce S, Tazioli S, Bavestrello G. 2006. The cnidome of Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubomedusae) from the Adriatic Sea. J Mar Biol Assoc UK. 86 (4): 705-709. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315406013609

Dong Z, Liu D, Keesing JK. 2010. Jellyfish blooms in China: dominant species, causes and consequences. Mar Pollut Bull. 60 (7): 954-963. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.04.022

Duarte CM, Pitt KA, Lucas CH, Purcell JE, Uye SI, Robinson K, Brotz L, Decker MB, Shuterland KR, Malej A, et al. 2013. Is global ocean sprawl a cause of jellyfish blooms? Front Ecol Environ. 11 (2): 91-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/110246

[GBIF] Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2024. Global distribution map of Carybdea marsupialis. [accessed 2024 Sep 10]. https://www.gbif.org.

Gershwin LA, Richardson AJ, Winkel KD, Fenner PJ, Lippmann J, Hore R, Avila-Soria G, Brewer D, Kloser RJ, Steven A, Condie S. 2013. Biology and ecology of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa). Adv Mar Biol. 66. 1-85. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-408096-6.00001-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-408096-6.00001-8

Giorgi F. 2006. Climate change hot‐spots. Geophys Res Lett. 33 (8): L08707. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1029/2006GL025734 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL025734

Graham WM, Kroutil RM. 2001. Size-based prey selectivity and dietary shifts in the jellyfish, Aurelia aurita. J Plankton Res. 23 (1): 67-74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/23.1.67

Gueroun SKM, Acevedo MJ, Kéfi-Daly Yahia O, Deidun A, Fuentes VL, Piraino S, Daly Yahia MN. 2015. First records of Carybdea marsupialis proliferation (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) along the eastern Tunisian coast (Central Mediterranean). Ital J Zool. 82 (3): 430-435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11250003.2015.1045945

Hamner WM, Jones MS, Hamner PP. 1995. Swimming, feeding, circulation and vision in the Australian box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri (Cnidaria: Cubozoa). Mar Freshwat Res. 46 (7): 985-990. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF9950985

Katsanevakis S, Wallentinus I, Zenetos A, Leppäkoski E, Cinar ME, Oztürk B, Grabowski M, Golani D, Cardoso AC. 2014. Impacts of invasive alien marine species on ecosystem services and biodiversity: a pan-European review. Aquat Invasions. 9 (4): 391-423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2014.9.4.01

Keesing JK, Strzelecki J, Stowar M, Wakeford M, Miller KJ, Gershwin LA, Liu D. 2016. Abundant box jellyfish, Chironex sp. (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropidae), discovered at depths of over 50 m on western Australian coastal reefs. Sci Rep. 6 (1): 22290. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22290

Larson RJ. 1976. Cubomedusae: feeding-functional morphology, behavior and phylogenetic position. In: Mackie GO, editor. Coelenterate ecology and behavior. Boston: Springer. p. 237-245. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9724-4_25

Lejeusne C, Chevaldonné P, Pergent-Martini C, Boudouresque CF, Pérez T. 2010. Climate change effects on a miniature ocean: the highly diverse, highly impacted Mediterranean Sea. Trends Ecol Evol. 25 (4): 250-260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2009.10.009

Lillo AO, D’Orlando G, Filippo G, D’Amore A, Longo S, Palma A, Trabace T. 2024. Occurrence of the blue button Porpita porpita along the Italian Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts. Mar Fish Sci. 37 (4): 667-671. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.47193/mafis.3742024010707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47193/mafis.3742024010707

Lillo AO, Tiralongo F, Tondo E. 2019. New records of Porpita porpita (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in the Mediterranean Sea. Nat Eng Sci. 4 (3): 293-298. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.646425

Mancini F, Lillo AO, Bardelli R, Vizzini S, Mancinelli G. 2022. Variation in the stable isotope trophic position of the bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) from two Mediterranean sites: insights from a global meta-analysis. Mediterr Mar Sci. 23 (4): 850-863. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.29325

Mariottini GL, Pane L. 2010. Mediterranean jellyfish venoms: a review on scyphomedusae. Mar Drugs. 8 (4): 1122-1152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/md8041122

Mills CE. 2001. Jellyfish blooms: are populations increasing globally in response to changing ocean conditions? Hydrobiologia. 451: 55-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0722-1_6

Morandini AC, Stampar SN, Kubota S. 2014. Mass occurrence of the cubomedusa Copula sivickisi (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) at Seto Harbor, Shirahama, Wakayama, Japan, in summer of 2013; a possible recent example of global warming. Publ Seto Mar Biol Lab. 42: 108-111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5134/185694

Peca G, Rafanelli S, Galassi G, Di Bartolo P, Bertini S, Alberani M, Beccari G. 1997. Contact reactions to the jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis: observation of 40 cases. Contact Dermatitis. 36 (3): 124-126. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.1997.tb00392.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.1997.tb00392.x

Petrosillo I, Scardia Scardia AMS, Ungaro N, Specchiulli A, Fanelli G, Centoducati G, De Serio F, Carlucci R, Valente D, Barbone E, et al. 2023. Towards sustainable marine spatial planning of aquaculture. Ecol Indic. 154: 110542. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110542

Purcell JE. 2005. Climate effects on formation of jellyfish and ctenophore blooms: a review. J Mar Biol Assoc UK. 85 (3): 461-476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315405011409

Purcell JE, Uye SI, Lo WT. 2007. Anthropogenic causes of jellyfish blooms and their direct consequences for humans: a review. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 350: 153-174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07093

Richardson AJ, Bakun A, Hays GC, Gibbons MJ. 2009. The jellyfish joyride: causes, consequences and management responses to a more gelatinous future. Trends Ecol Evol. 24 (6): 312-322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2009.01.010

Rottini G, Gusmani L, Parovel E, Avian M, Patriarca P. 1995. Purification and properties of a cytolytic toxin in venom of the jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis. Toxicon. 33 (3): 315-326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(94)00174-7

Saygın Ö. 2017. On the occurrence of blue button, Porpita porpita (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Levantine coast of Turkey. Nat Eng Sci. 2 (2): 33-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.328905

Somot S, Sevault F, Déqué M, Crépon M. 2008. 21st century climate change scenario of the Mediterranean using a coupled atmosphere-ocean regional climate model. Glob Planet Change. 63 (2-3): 112-126 DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2007.10.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2007.10.003

Tiralongo F, Lillo AO, Tibullo D, Tondo E, Martire CL, D’Agnese R, Mcali A, Mancini E, Giovos I, Coco S, Azzurro E. 2019. Monitoring uncommon and non-indigenous fishes in Italian waters: One year of results for the AlienFish project. Reg Stud Mar Sci. 28: 100606. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100606

Tiralongo F, Crocetta F, Riginella E, Lillo AO, Tondo E, Macali A, Mancini E, Russo F, Coco S, Paolillo G, Azzurro E. 2020. Snapshot of rare, exotic and overlooked fish species in the Italian seas: a citizen science survey. J Sea Res. 164: 101930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2020.101930

Zangaro F, Pinna M, Specchia V. 2024. Environmental DNA as early warning for alien species in Mediterranean coastal lagoons: implications for conservation and management. Diversity. 16 (9): 525. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/d16090525

Downloads

Published

2024-09-26

How to Cite

Lillo, A. O., Gianvito, G., Filippo, G., Longo, S., Pipino, A., Palma, A. and Trabace, T. (2024) “Areal expansion of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Linnaeus, 1758) towards the Ionian coasts of the Basilicata region (Italy)”, Marine and Fishery Sciences (MAFIS), 38(1). doi: 10.47193/mafis.3812025010106.

Most read articles by the same author(s)