Sustainable Ocean Resources Network

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325595054_Marine_floating_objects_as_vehicles_for_dispersing_fouling_organisms_An_example_from_Negombo_Sri_Lanka

Abstract

Floating substrata, both natural and anthropogenic, provide platform for dispersing fouling communities across wide geographic ranges which can rarely be attained otherwise. Marine biofouling communities on floating objects stranded in beaches were studied in this study. Organisms present, their substrate preferences, surface texture and shape of the substrate were studied. Samples were collected fortnightly from Catamaran beach, Maha-Oya estuary and Pitipana beach along the Negombo coast, Sri Lanka between, March to November 2017. Floating objects were surveyed in three strata (low tide, high tide and vegetative lines) using a 10 x 3 m belt transect at each site. Biofouling organisms belonging to 38 taxa consisting of Algae (2), Annelida (6), Arthropoda (7), Bryozoa (8), Mollusk (11) and Porifera (4) were recorded. Among them Balanus amphitrite, Balanus reticulatus, Lepas anatifera, Hydroides sp. and Electridae sp. were dominant. Six globally known invasive species (Balanus amphitrite, Balanus trigonus, Balanus reticulatus, Lepas anatifera, Euletes tulipa and Perna perna) were recorded in this study. Also, a new species of Bryozoan, Conopeum sp was recorded in Sri Lankan waters for the first time. Majority (60%) of the fouling substrata were of anthropogenic origin. Plastic amount for 31% of substrata with a total of 16 taxa attached. 22% of the substrate was animal remains with 21 taxa and 14% of substrate was wood, containing 14 taxa. According to the substrate texture, smooth, rough and moderate surfaced substrata had 42%, 35% and 23% of the fouling organisms respectively. Based on shape of substrate 71% was observed on curved while 13% was on flat surfaces. Accordingly, floating substrata act as a major source of dispersion and unintentional introduction of marine biofouling organisms to new habitats. Thus , long-term monitoring of floating objects in marine environment is needed for early warning of spreading possible invasive species.