Browsing by Author "Marasinghe, M.M.K.I."

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    Biofouling Community Composition Along the Coast Adjacent to Colombo Port
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Marasinghe, M.M.K.I.; Ranatunga, R.R.M.K.P.
    Sri Lanka is located in close proximity to the east-west maritime route with an increased risk of invasion by Non Indigenous Species (NIS) in the coastal waters. Here, Colombo port is one of the top risked ports in terms of potential NIS introductions and the presence of many introduced species remained mysterious until extensive work on biofouling community was initiated in 2014 by the authors. However, knowledge on fouling composition along the adjacent coast around the port is also scarce. Therefore, an extensive survey was conducted along the coast adjacent to the Colombo port to determine the presence and extent of dispersion of NIS. The survey was conducted during the months of May and June, 2018 in both north (Colombo port to Negombo) and south side of the Colombo port (Colombo port to Panadura). Samples were collected using belt transect (10m x 3m) covering both high tide and low tide in the selected sampling locations. Fouling organisms adhere to rocks, piers and floating objects were collected. Organisms which were already identified were recorded at the site itself and new species and any species had doubt on identification, were photographed and transported to the laboratory for further analysis. 42 species of fouling organisms were identified belonging to 7 taxonomic groups as Bryozoa (4 species), Annelida (5 species), Chordata (7 species), Mollusca (8 species), Arthropoda (10 species), Porifera (6 species), and Cnidaria (2 species). Eleven species were common to both side and altogether 24 species were found to be mutual to Colombo port and adjacent coast. Six NIS were recorded which were also observed in Colombo port revealing the presence of NIS in adjacent coast. Therefore, present findings alarm the impending risk of spreading NIS introduced to Colombo port and immediate attention must be taken to manage the existing NIS community in Colombo port as well as continuous monitoring is recommended for possible early detection of future NIS spreading.
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    Composition of the Faunal Community Fouling On Long-Term Test Panels Deployed in Colombo Port, Sri Lanka.
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Marasinghe, M.M.K.I.; Ranatunga, R.R.M.K.P.
    Studies in biofouling on artificial substrates have been carried out globally in order to understand the community succession, mechanisms, associated invasive species as well as addressing the issues. However, in Sri Lanka, such information is very much lacking and present study is to address such knowledge gap. The study was conducted in Colombo port in four sampling locations from February 2016 to March 2017 using experimental panels. Entire set up was pulled out of the water and photographed alive during monthly sampling cycle before placing them back in the water. Species identification was done to the lowest possible taxonomic level using live photographs which were taken in the field. In the laboratory, the photographs were analyzed to determine percentage cover using Photoquad software. From the succession analysis of permanent settlement collectors, 74 different fouling organisms were recorded belonging to 8 different taxa including Bryozoans (8 species), Annelids (12 species), lower Chordates (23 species), Molluscs (13 species), Arthropods (7 species), Poriferans (5 species), Cnidarians (5 species) and Echinoderms (1 species). Among the species recorded, eleven were globally known invasive species. Furthermore, the Dendrogram derived from cluster analysis showed a close relationship among members of the fouling community. Especially among the native bryozoan Arbopercula bengalensis and tube worms (Sabellidae); whereas one cryptogenic (Celleporaria volsella) and two native (Parasmittina parsevalii and Hippoporina indica) bryozoan species also shared a close relationship among each other. Moreover, arthropods and tunicates also showed a close relationship. However, two major nonindigenous species, Schizporella errata and Mycale sp. showed noticeable deviation, indicating their exceptional solitary behavior despite the presence of other members of the fouling community.