MEPS 311:103-114 (2006)  -  doi:10.3354/meps311103

ABSTRACT: Resistance to copper by some fouling species may have the 2-fold effect of both facilitating the introduction of nonindigenous species via the painted hulls of vessels, and providing these species with a competitive advantage in ports or estuaries already exposed to anthropogenically elevated copper concentrations. This study tested the tolerance of 4 introduced bryozoans, Bugula neritina, Watersipora subtorquata, Schizoporella errata and Tricellaria occidentalis, to a range of Cu concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 and 500 µg l^–1). Larval attachment after 24 h was not found to be a reliable indicator of post-metamorphic survival. Recruits of all species survived in 0 and 10 µg l^–1 Cu for 20 d, with only Bugula neritina and Watersipora subtorquata recruits surviving exposure to 50 and 100 µg l^–1 Cu. B. neritina and W. subtorquata colonies exhibited reduced post-metamorphic growth in 50 µg l^–1 Cu compared to controls, with no growth observed in 100 µg l^–1 Cu. Growth for S. errata and T. occidentalis was higher at 0 µg l^–1 than 10 µg l^–1 Cu. Post-exposure growth of surviving colonies was assessed by transplanting colonies to the field. W. subtorquata colonies exposed to 50 µg l^–1 Cu were the only colonies to show decreased survival and growth post Cu-exposure. Overall, B. neritina and W. subtorquata showed the greatest tolerance to Cu. These findings have important implications for the management, control and assessment of invasion potential of these invasive marine hull-fouling species.

KEY WORDS: Cu · Attachment · Post-metamorphic survival · Post-metamorphic growth · Antifouling paint · Tolerance · Introduced species · Hull fouling