First record of the sea anemone Diadumene lineata (Verrill 1871) associated to Spartina alterniflora roots and stems in marshes at the Bahia Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

MOLINA, L.M.; VALIÑAS, M.S.; PRATOLONGO, P.D.; ELÍAS , R.,; PERILLO, G.M.E.

BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS

Springer

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2009 vol. 11 p. 409 - 416

1387-3547

We report the occurrence of the orangestripedgreen anemone Diadumene lineata (Verrill1871) (=Haliplanella lineata) in salt marshes at theBahı´a Blanca Estuary for the first time in August2005. We also found this species attached to rootsand stems of Spartina alterniflora, an association thathas never been registered before. After theirdetermination, sampling was performed during ayear to evaluate seasonal abundance of this seaanemone. Results showed that D. lineata was presentthrough the whole year, indicating the existence of astable population. All individuals sampled werefound attached to roots or stems of S. alterniflora,with the higher abundances detected in summer.Further studies are necessary to precise the potentialeffects of this exotic sea anemone on salt marshcommunities.