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<p>In October 2023, an alien xeniid octocoral was reported on the southwest reefs of Puerto Rico. We employed multilocus barcoding to identify and confirm the species of the invading soft coral, by sampling three colonies across three locations in southwest Puerto Rico. Our results revealed that the invader is <i>Xenia umbellata,</i> a species native to the Red Sea. This is the first confirmed case of <i>X. umbellata</i> as an invader in the Caribbean, a species genetically distinct among xeniids. <i>Xenia umbellata</i> can overgrow biotic and abiotic reef substrata in Puerto Rico. Without natural forms of population control, <i>X. umbellata</i>’s potential to disrupt invaded reefs is significantly enhanced. Our findings highlight the urgent need for collaborative action between local management agencies and stakeholders in Puerto Rico to monitor, control, and prevent further spread of this invasion before significant ecological perturbation occurs.</p>

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Shadows over Caribbean reefs: occurrence of a new invasive soft coral species, Xenia umbellata, in southwest Puerto Rico

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年5月12日

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  • Daniel A. Toledo-Rodriguez,
  • Alex J. Veglia,
  • Nilda M. Jimenez Marrero,
  • Joyce M. Gomez-Samot,
  • Catherine S. McFadden,
  • Ernesto Weil,
  • Nikolaos V. Schizas

摘要

In October 2023, an alien xeniid octocoral was reported on the southwest reefs of Puerto Rico. We employed multilocus barcoding to identify and confirm the species of the invading soft coral, by sampling three colonies across three locations in southwest Puerto Rico. Our results revealed that the invader is Xenia umbellata, a species native to the Red Sea. This is the first confirmed case of X. umbellata as an invader in the Caribbean, a species genetically distinct among xeniids. Xenia umbellata can overgrow biotic and abiotic reef substrata in Puerto Rico. Without natural forms of population control, X. umbellata’s potential to disrupt invaded reefs is significantly enhanced. Our findings highlight the urgent need for collaborative action between local management agencies and stakeholders in Puerto Rico to monitor, control, and prevent further spread of this invasion before significant ecological perturbation occurs.