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Effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on reproduction of an ecologically significant invasive bryozoan: implications for invasion success

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A Correction to this article was published on 02 December 2017

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Abstract

The capacity to predict changes in the distribution and abundance of sessile marine invertebrates depends on quantifying factors that affect spatial and temporal variation in propagule production. This is particularly important for invasive species, since both the timing and abundance of introduced propagules can determine invasion success. This study examines the role of reproductive dynamics in contributing to the invasion success of the highly invasive bryozoan Membranipora membranacea by quantifying temporal patterns in the sexual stage and potential fecundity of colonies and examining the effects of intrinsic (colony size) and extrinsic (temperature, host substrate) factors on the reproductive potential of invasive populations. Colonies were collected on the 4 most abundant algal substrates in Nova Scotia at 2–3 sites approximately monthly from 2012 to 2015. Individual zooids within each collected colony were classified by sexual stage (immature, producing sperm only, producing sperm and oocytes, producing oocytes only), and the number of oocytes per colony was counted as a measure of potential colony fecundity (reproductive potential). There were significant seasonal patterns in colony fecundity; however, temperature and colony size accounted for only 12 and 7% of the observed variation, respectively. Instead, consistent differences in reproductive potential were observed among colonies on different algal substrates. Our results indicate how critical demographic processes can differ for invasive species outside of their native range. Our study underscores the need to quantify population dynamics of non-indigenous species within the invaded community to more accurately predict the long-term consequences for invaded ecosystems.

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  • 02 December 2017

    Fig. 2 was published with incorrect values for June 2012 and May 2014. The corrected Figure 2 is provided here.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Lindley, R.E. Scheibling, C. Feehan, K. Filbee-Dexter, J. O’Brien, E. Simonson, K. Sorochan, and C. Civelek for assistance with field work, and R.E. Scheibling for providing comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. This research was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery grant to A.M., and a Dalhousie Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarship, Nova Scotia Scholarship, NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship, and Dalhousie Killam Scholarship to D.D.

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  1. Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada

    Danielle Denley & Anna Metaxas

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  1. Danielle Denley
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  2. Anna Metaxas
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Correspondence to Danielle Denley.

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Funding

This study was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Discovery grant (NSERC RGPIN 2229322-2011) to AM.

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All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Human and animal rights

All applicable national and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed in accordance with the recommendations of the Canadian Council on Animal Care and the policies of Dalhousie University.

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Responsible Editor: E. Briski.

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A correction to this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3268-9.

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Denley, D., Metaxas, A. Effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on reproduction of an ecologically significant invasive bryozoan: implications for invasion success. Mar Biol 164, 145 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3172-3

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