Distribution and Abundance of Invasive Octocoral Carijoa riisei in Ecuadorian Coast

CÁRDENAS-CALLE M., ; G. BIGATTI; ,N. DIEZ; , M. LOZADA, I. KEITH, I. HERRERA, PÉREZ-CORREA J

Congreso; 21st International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species.; 2019

This study reports the distribution and abundance of the invasive octocoral Carijoa riisei (Alcyonacea: Clavulariidae) in Ecuadorian continental coast. C. riisei is native from the Indo-Pacific region where it is an aggressive competitor. One of the major effects is the monopolization of resources (food and the space). The identification of the specie was confirmed genetically. Distribution and abundance of C. riisei was measured over quadrants located randomly at a 50 m transect positioned parallel to the coast in subtidal zone. Carijoa was found between February 2015 to February 2016 in three coastal provinces (Esmeraldas, Manabí and Santa Elena), including two marine protected areas (Galera San Francisco Marine Reserve in the north of Ecuador and El Pelado Marine Reserve in South Central Ecuadorian coast) and one area influenced by estuarine ecosystems (Jama). The highest relative abundance of Carijoa colonies where found in Jama (44.57%). This octocoral was found as an epibiont on corals (e.g. Pocillopora damicornis) and other macroinvertebrates (i.e. Pinctada mazatlanica, Muricea appresa, and Aplysina sp.). Our investigation suggests that Carijoa riisei is in advanced status from colonization in the coastal area and it is an imminent danger for autochthonous autochthonous sessile macroinvertebrates biodiversity and even greater risk for the Galapagos Islands.