Biodiversity loss in the genus Artemia in the Western Mediterranean region

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Amat, F (Author) Other; Hontoria, F (Author) Other; Navarro, JC (Author) Other; Vieira, N (Author) FCUP; Mura, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Limnetica

Vol. 26

Pages: 387-404

ISSN: 0213-8409

Publisher: Associacion Espanola de Limnologia

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 68 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-KCJ

Abstract (EN): Local populations extinctions depend on intrinsic factors related to the biology of species, as well as on direct threats of stochastic and/or deterministic type. The species of the genus Artemia (Branchiopoda, Anostraca), conspicuous inhabitants of hypersaline ecosystems, are suffering an important biodiversity loss. Their persistence is dramatically affected by deterministic factors threatening their biotopes. Among these deterministic factors the loss of habitats and the introduction of exotic invasive species are the most relevant. This paper aims to summarize the information available on: a) the abandonment of solar salterns in the Western Mediterranean region; b) the present distribution of the exotic invasive species Artemia franciscana populations in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France; c) several reproductive parameters obtained from the study of life tables, performed for several autochthonous species and strains and the invasive species. These traits, linked to the quantitative and qualitative offspring output, allow an experimental approach to the understanding of the fitness superiority of the invasive species, as well as to the competitive displacement of the autochthonous Artemia species in the Western Mediterranean region. © Asociación Ibírica de Limnología.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18