Evidence that a highly invasive ascidian can survive the thermal conditions of a simulated transit across the sub-Antarctic and polar fronts

Vye, Siobhan R.; Büring, Tobias; Brickle, Paul; Belchier, Mark; Morley, Simon A.

Evidence that a highly invasive ascidian can survive the thermal conditions of a simulated transit across the sub-Antarctic and polar fronts

Vye, Siobhan R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8250-5181; Büring, Tobias; Brickle, Paul; Belchier, Mark; Morley, Simon A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7761-660X. 2025 Evidence that a highly invasive ascidian can survive the thermal conditions of a simulated transit across the sub-Antarctic and polar fronts. Biological Invasions, 27, 215. 7, pp. 10.1007/s10530-025-03672-8

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03672-8

Abstract/Summary

The sub-Antarctic and polar fronts are features of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean. These fronts act as both a physical and physiological barrier to the introduction and establishment of marine non-native species. Vessel movements provide a mechanism for transiting over this barrier, acting as a vector for marine non-native species. However, species transported must be able to survive the rapid change in environment. This transit is specifically characterized by the reduced sea temperatures of the Southern Ocean. Several species of concern are already established in the Falkland Islands and pose a risk of being transported through vessel movements to South Georgia, including the invasive ascidian Ciona spp. We used an experimental approach to test whether Ciona spp. could tolerate the temperature change consistent with a ship hull transit across the sub-Antarctic and polar fronts in winter and summer. The results suggest that adult individuals of Ciona spp. would be able to survive. Ciona spp. showed a reduction in metabolic rate (Q10 of 2.09 in winter and 2.39 in summer), consistent with the normal physiological effect of temperature on ectotherms. These findings confirm that marine non-native species present in the Falkland Islands could pose a risk to South Georgia. The sub-Antarctic and polar fronts may have little or no impact on the fitness of the species to establish, although longer term studies are required to understand their capacity to establish.

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s10530-025-03672-8

ISSN:

1387-3547

Additional Keywords:

Marine invasive species, Non-native species, Polar front, Physiology, Biofouling

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Marine Sciences

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