Invasive shallow-water foraminifera impacts local biodiversity mostly at densities above 20 %: the case of Corfu Island

Invasive shallow-water foraminifera, particularly Amphistegina lobifera, significantly impacts local biodiversity on Corfu Island when its density exceeds 10–20% of the total assemblage. This study analyzed 51 samples from 25 sites around the island, revealing that A. lobifera negatively correlates with sessile epiphytes and smaller miliolids, likely due to competition for microhabitats, while other warm-adapted taxa initially show a positive correlation. The research also identified three main assemblage clusters shaped by water depth, sediment texture, and habitat, highlighting Corfu's high species richness (200 benthic foraminiferal species). These findings suggest that A. lobifera and other warm-affiliated species will increasingly influence biodiversity in the region, supporting the trend of Mediterranean Sea tropicalization.

Weinmann, A. E., Koukousioura, O., Triantaphyllou, M. V., & Langer, M. R. (2023). Invasive shallow-water foraminifera impacts local biodiversity mostly at densities above 20 %: the case of Corfu Island. Web Ecology, 23(2), 71–86. https://doi.org/10.5194/we-23-71-2023