New record of Dendronephthya hemprichi (Family: Nephtheidae) fromMediterranean, Israel- an evidence for tropicalization?

Abstract

Bioinvasions have the potential to provoke cascade effects that can disrupt natural ecosystems, and cause ecological regime shifts. The Mediterranean Sea is particularly prone to bioinvasions as the changing water conditions, evoked by climate change, are creating advantageous conditions for Lessepsian migrants from the Red Sea. Recently, in May 2023, a new alien species was documented in the Mediterranean Sea - a soft coral of the genus Dendronephthya. This discovery was made by divers conducting Long Term Ecological Research surveys, along the coast of Israel, at a depth of 42 m. Genetic and morphological testing were utilized to confirm the species identity as Dendronepthya hemprichi, an Indo-Pacific coral, common in the Red Sea. According to life history traits of this species such as accelerated attachment to available surfaces and fast growth, we expect it to rapidly expand its distribution and abundance across the Mediterranean. HighlightsO_LIPotential Tropicalization of the Mediterranean Sea C_LIO_LIIncreasing water temperatures are an important vector for marine bioinvasion C_LIO_LIA second soft coral species, associated with Lessepsian migration, was identified in the Mediterranean C_LIO_LIThe importance of a long-term ecological monitoring program for identifying ecosystem changes C_LI