Diadema Setosum (Leske, 1778) (Echinodermata, Echinoidea, Diadematidae), First Record for Simi Island, Hellas, Eastern Mediterranean

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DIADEMA SETOSUM (LESKE, 1778) (ECHINODERMATA, ECHINOIDEA, DIADEMATIDAE), FIRST RECORD FOR SIMI ISLAND, HELLAS, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Article · May 2019

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DIADEMA SETOSUM (LESKE, 1778) (ECHINODERMATA, ECHINOIDEA, DIADEMATIDAE), FIRST RECORD FOR SIMI ISLAND, HELLAS, EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Christos J. Galanos1* & Sarantis Kritikos2

1 Email: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] * Corresponding author

Published online: May 13, 2019

Abstract

Diadema setosum, is an Indo-Pacific alien species, which has been introduced to eastern Mediterranean basin through the Suez Canal. In the current paper it is documented for the first time as a new species for the island of Simi (Symi), Dodecanese Complex, Greece. The geographical position of the island, the distribution range of the species in the country, as well as voucher photographs and all the localities from where it was observed are provided.

Introduction

The alien sea urchin, Diadema setosum, was found for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea along the south-western coast of Turkey in 2006 (Yokes & Galil 2006). Since then, its presence has been documented in Lebanon in 2009 (Nader & Indary 2011), Cyprus in 2016 (Kapiris and Constantinou 2016) and Israel in 2017 (Bronstein & Kroh 2018). In Greece, it is established, as evidenced by the surveys in the Hellenic waters and has been rapidly expanding its range. More specifically, it has been reported from the islands of Kastellorizo in 2014 (Latsoudis 2015), Rodos in 2015 (Kondylatos & Corsini-Foka 2015), Kriti, Pserimos and Kithnos in 2016 (Dounas & Krystalas 2016, Karachle et al. 2017, Zenetos et al. 2017) and along the eastern coast of Attica Peninsula in 2017 (Karachle et al. 2017). Simi is an eastern Mediterranean island and one of the Dodecanese island complex in the SE Aegean region (Fig. 1). It is located 22 km N of Rodos (Rhodes) and 6.75 km W of the nearest Turkish coast (36˚36ʹ N, 27˚50ʹ E). It covers an area of 58 km², has a coastline of 84 km and includes five main settlements with a total population of c. 2500 permanent inhabitants. It is mostly mountainous and rocky, and its highest peak (Vigla) is 616 m. According to the climatic diagrams of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (http://www.hnms.gr), the climate of the island is semi-arid Mediterranean, with short, mild and wet winters, followed by long, hot and dry summers (Galanos & Tzanoudakis 2017).

Fig. 1. Geographical position of the Greek, Dodecanese Island of Simi in the Eastern Mediterranean (photo taken from Google Earth)

The island was visited by the first author (CG) in September 2018. During the fieldwork that was carried out on 22nd September 2018, two sea urchins were observed during the morning by the first author (CG) and one of them was photographed resting into rocky crevices of the sea (Fig. 2A) along the north-eastern coast of Pedi Bay in Simi, at a depth of 50 cm (36˚36ʹ48ʺ N 27˚51ʹ22ʺ E) and c. 2 m (36˚36ʹ48ʺ N, 27˚51ʹ36ʺ E) respectively. Moreover, on 13th March 2019 and 15th April 2019, in total four individuals were also detected by the last author (SK) in Harani area, along the northern coast of Gialos in Simi, at a depth of 50 cm - 2.5 m (36˚37ʹ13ʺ N 27˚50ʹ18ʺ E). Two of them were captured and photographed out of water (Fig. 2B, C, D).

Material and Methods

Photographs of living sea urchins were taken, studied and identified in accordance with the description provided by Coppard and Campbell (2006), and particularly on the basis of the distinct features both of five white spot markings on the inter-ambulacrals evident during daytime and the orange ring around the periproctal cone (fig. 2C, D). Voucher photographs of the particular species identified by S. Coppard.

Results and discussion

Natural ecosystems of the Mediterranean islands are especially vulnerable to biological invasions because of their geographical position next to the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea (Galanos 2015, Flagella 2005). Such factors as climate change and the increase of the sea temperature play a significant role concerning both aliens introduction and establishment in the study area (Zenetos et al. 2017). Besides, it should be noted that the main introduction pathways of marine invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea is considered to be associated with human activities (Flagella 2005). The introduction of Diadema setosum in Greece and consequently in the study area, is mainly attributed to the shipping of the unintentional transport via both the ballast waters especially 16 Parnassiana Archives 7

A B

C D

Fig. 2. Diadema setosum, Simi Island. A. Natural habitat, 22 IX 2018, photo by CG, B. Harani, 13 III 2019, photo by SK, C. Detail of the five white spot markings on the inter-ambulacrals clearly evident during daytime, Harani, 15 IV 2019, photo by SK, D. Detail of the orange ring is slightly appeared around the periproctal cone, Harani, 15 IV 2019, photo by SK. of recreational vessels and the unmediated larval spread through the Suez Canal currents, as they flow from the Red Sea northwards into eastern Mediterranean (Bronstein et al. 2017, Crocetta et al. 2017). Taking into consideration the distribution of alien species in Dodecanese, Simi (with Nimos islet) occupies the 5th position among the islands invaded by alien species, after Rodos (with Chtenia islet), Kastellorizo, Karpathos and Kos (Zenetos et al. 2017).

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr S. Coppard for the identification of the species, Dr A. Zenetos and Dr K. Tsiamis for their valuable information and the personal communication. Thanks are also due to the General Directorate for the Protection and Development of Forests and the Rural Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy for the permission (reference number: 151244/136) to carry out investigations, both of flora and fauna, especially of areas protected by the European Network Natura 2000, in the Dodecanese Island Complex. 17 Diadema setosum new to Simi Island

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