Insights into the Life History and Condition of the Invasive Long-Spined Sea Urchin Diadema Setosum (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the Gulf of Antalya (Eastern Mediterranean Sea)
摘要
One of the Lessepsian species originating from the Red Sea, Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778), has migrated to the Mediterranean Sea, where it has become an invasive species, and has subsequently expanded its distribution to the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara. Despite its extensive spread beyond its natural habitat, studies on this species remain quite limited. This study aims to investigate the life history traits (growth pattern, reproduction, condition, and biometric characteristics) of the Diadema setosum population inhabiting the Gulf of Antalya (Eastern Mediterranean). D. setosum were collected seasonally (winter, spring, and summer) between December 2022 and September 2023 from shallow sublittoral zones. The population’s sex ratio did not significantly deviate from the 1:1 ratio across all three seasons. While all biometric characteristics varied between seasons, no significant difference was found between the sexes. Only gonadal coloration differed between the sexes, with females exhibiting a red hue and males displaying a yellowish color. Negative allometric growth was observed across all seasons for both sexes. ANCOVA results showed no significant differences in gonadosomatic index (GSI) values between seasons or sexes, but high GSI values were recorded. The condition factor did not vary significantly between seasons, although females had a higher condition factor than males. The results of this study provide fundamental insights into the biology of D. setosum. The obtained data are critically important for assessing the population resilience of this invasive species and determining timely management strategies, especially considering the invasive nature of D. setosum and its potential ecological impacts on native Mediterranean communities.