JBS-08 Alien jellyfish species

 

Non-indigenous (= alien, exotic, non-native) species (NIS) are introduced organisms outside their natural (past or present) range of distribution, and outside their natural dispersal potential, which might survive and subsequently reproduce, threatening biodiversity. Species of unknown origin that cannot be ascribed as being native or alien are termed cryptogenic species.

As other translocated organisms, NIS jellyfish life stages traverse the globe in ballast waters, on ship hulls, or epibiotic on harvestable shellfish. Some of the most successful travellers may reach large abundances becoming invasive in non-native aquatic ecosystems, eventually developing into nuisance for human activities and ecosystem functioning, from reduction of fish catches, aquaculture finfish mortality, clogging water intakes of coastal plants, stinging and concern for human health, and shifts of energy flow in food webs.

This session aims to be a forum where existing knowledge will be gathered to inform scientists and policy makers on current distribution, biological traits, patterns of invasions, early detection, taxonomic and prevention tools, and potential management of non-indigenous and cryptogenic jellyfish species worldwide, with special reference to "nuisance species".

 

Chairs:

Stefano Piraino - CONISMA, Università del Salento (Italy)

Macarena Marambio - Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC (Spain)