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908 ANNA MARIA MANNINO ET ALII
introduction of marine alien species, is a region
particularly vulnerable and susceptible to biological
invasions (Bianchi, 2007; Occhipinti-Ambrogi et
al., 2011a, b; Katsanevakis et al., 2012, 2014), des-
pite the high number of Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs) already established. In fact, high numbers
of visitors, increasing disturbance and vectors (e.g.
boat anchors, SCUBA equipment, bilge water, hull
fouling) (Minchinton & Bertness, 2003; West et al.,
2007; Britton-Simmons & Abbott, 2008; Burfeind
et al., 2013), could promote the introduction of in-
vasive species.
For a better understanding of the invasive po-
tential and spread dynamics of invasive species, any
newly colonized area needs to be quickly detected
(Klein & Verlaque, 2008). Therefore, regular mon-
itoring programs, including public awareness cam-
paigns, are crucial for assessing the spread
dynamics of invasive species and for planning
effective management strategies. Since intensive
monitoring programs could be very expensive,
Citizen Science, engaging citizens (e.g. tourists,
fishermen, divers) in the collection of information
and scientific data, could be a useful tool for
providing data on the occurrence and spread of
marine alien species that would otherwise be im-
possible to collect because of limitations on time
and resources. Of course, all these data need a val-
idation by taxonomic experts for the scientific com-
munity to accept and utilize them for scientific
purposes and management decisions.
Among marine invasive species, Caulerpa cyl-
indracea Sonder, 1845 (until Belton et al., 2014 it
was reported in the literature as Caulerpa racemosa
var. cylindracea (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman and
Boudouresque, 2003) has raised serious concern
due to its ascertain impact on Mediterranean com-
munities (Boudouresque et al., 1995; Dumay et al.,
2002; Antolić et al., 2008; Klein & Verlaque, 2008;
Piazzi & Balata, 2008; Papini et al., 2013; Kat-
sanevakis et al., 2014).
So, on 27th August 2014 we launched the Cit-
izen Science Project “Caulerpa cylindracea - Egadi
Islands” (sponsored by the Department of Biolo-
gical Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and
Technologies, University of Palermo and the Egadi
Islands MPA), aimed at creating a database, avail-
able online, on the spread and the levels of threat of
this invasive alga within the Egadi Islands MPA and
also at making aware citizens, sportsmen, fisher-
men, divers on the phenomenon of biological inva-
sions. We present here the results of this Project,
ended in summer 2016.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The Egadi Islands MPA (Aegadian Archipelago)
is the largest Italian MPA which was instituted in
1991. This small archipelago, located approxim-
ately 7–9 km from the western coast of Sicily (Italy,
Tyrrhenian Sea), is composed of three main islands
(Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo) and a few
small islets (Galeotta, Galera, Preveto, Formica and
Maraone) (Fig. 1).
The Project, addressed to different group of
volunteers (students, tourists, divers, underwater
photographers, amateurs and fishermen), was based
on the collection of data (place, date, depth, sub-
strate coverage %) and photos concerning the oc-
currence of C. cylindracea within the MPA.
Volunteers could send their data either using a mail
address, a facebook page, the MPA website or
filling a form available online or in the MPA’s
offices. Only data validated by the Scientific team
of the Project were gathered in the database.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The first results of the Project were presented
during the International Congress GeoSub2016
(Ustica, 14–17 September). The facebook page of
the Project registered numerous followers (3000 in
the last month of the Project) and liked to 484 fol-
lowers (90% were Italian). In all we gathered 156
sightings (Fig. 2). The alga was reported from all
the three main Islands even though the majority of
the records were from Favignana (Fig. 1). It was
found between 0 and 40 m depth, on rock, rock with
sediment, sand and in coralligenous habitat (Fig. 3).
Useful information on the behaviour strategies of
the alga was also gathered, e.g. the ability of the sto-
lons to create bridges in order to reach new areas
for the anchorage and the strength of the anchorage
due to the high number of rhizoids (Fig. 4). These
strategies allow C. cylindracea to spread rapidly,
forming compact multilayered mats able to trap