The Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas, the rivers and canals that connect them, and the enormous volume of shipping in the region, represent a conduit for aquatic invasion, whose consequences are only now beginning to be understood. This book provides an up-to-date overview of jelly invasions in the Ponto-Caspian which have affected local ecosystems since the early 1980s, contrasting that with other biological invasions, in search of underlying principles.

Inhalt

Preface; H.J. Dumont, T.A. Shiganova, U. Niermann. 1: Mnemiopsis leidyi, Beroe cf ovata, and their interaction. 1. Mnemiopsis leidyi: distribution and effect on the Black Sea ecosystem during the first years of invasion in comparison with other gelatinous blooms; U. Niermann. 2. Interactions between the invading Ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi (A. Agassiz) and Beroe cf ovata Mayer 1912, and their influence on the Pelagic Ecosystem of the Northeastern Black Sea; T.A. Shiganova, et al. 3. Population dynamics of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Caspian Sea, and effects on the Caspian ecosystem; T.A. Shiganova, et al. 4. Distribution and biology of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the northern Aegean Sea, and comparison with the indigenous Bolinopsis vitrea; T.A. Shiganova, et al. 5. Effects of Beroe cf ovata on gelatinous and other zooplankton along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast; L. Kamburska. 6. Decreased levels of the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis in the Marmara Sea in 2001; M. Isinibilir, et al. 7. Preliminary investigation on the molecular systematics of the invasive ctenophore Beroe ovata; K.M. Bayha, et al. 8. Support for the position that a deliberate introduction of Beroe cf ovata to the Caspian Sea will control the local population of Mnemiopsis leidyi; S.P. Volovik, I.G. Korpakova. 9. Feeding, respiration and growth of the Ctenophore Beroe cf ovata in the conditions of low salinity of the Caspian Sea; A.E. Kideys, et al. 10. A brief résumé of the status of the Mnemiopsis population in the Turkmen sector ofthe Caspian Sea according to observations during the first half of 2002; F.M. Shakirova. 11. Dynamics of Mnemiopsis distribution in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea in 2001 - 2002; Z.M. Kulijev. 12. Investigation on distribution and biomass of Mnemiopsis in the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea in May 2002; Y.A. Kim, et al. 2: Ponto-Caspian species invading Europe: information networking. 13. Range extensions of Ponto-Caspian aquatic invertebrates in Continental Europe; H.A.M. Kentelaars. 14. Living in a sea of exotics - the Baltic case; E. Leppäkoski. 15. Internet-based information resources of aquatic alien species relevant to the Ponto-Caspian region; V.E. Panov. 3: Other Mediterranean Invaders. 16. Invasion of the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca in the Northern Adriatic: a non-success story; A. Malej, A. Malej Jr. 17. Caulerpa taxifolia: 18 years of infestation in the Mediterranean Sea; T. Thibaut, A. Meinesz. 4: Conclusions from the Meeting. 18. Henri J. Dumont, Tamara A. Shiganova & Ulrich Niermann. Index.