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Short- and long-term effects of culling invasive corallivorous gastropods

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Abstract

Eradicating invasive species and maintaining their populations at acceptable densities is both costly and challenging in marine environments, primarily due to the open water connectivity between culled and non-culled areas. This research aims to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of culling invasive species, considering the invasive gastropod Drupella rugosa (Born, 1778) from the coral reefs of Koh Tao (Gulf of Thailand) as a case study. Ecological, logistical, and behavioural factors that influenced the removal efforts were identified, highlighting key components that can inform future strategies aimed at managing outbreak events. Specific objectives included: (1) estimating gastropod densities and to study the behaviour of D. rugosa on Acropora-dominated reefs; (2) assessing short-term effects of D. rugosa removal by monitoring the fate of grazed corals; (3) examining the long-term impact of culling by analysing data from a removal campaign spanning over a decade, including an evaluation of the effort in terms of time and diver involvement. The relationship between damselfish and the feeding activity of corallivorous gastropods was also investigated. A key finding of this study is that poorly planned culling is ineffective in controlling outbreaks of invasive species such as those belonging to the genus Drupella. Long-term data from culling campaigns conducted between 2010 and 2024 revealed that the number of removed specimens remained relatively constant, despite significant differences in effort. This disparity underscores the lack of strategic coordination in the implementation of removal activities. Following a critical comparison with cases reported in the literature, common issues and transferable strategies were identified and thoroughly analyzed. Directions for management were provided, with the understanding that future actions should be grounded in a thorough knowledge of the species’ ecological traits, the biotic and abiotic drivers of outbreak events, a quantitative assessment of its impact on Acropora reefs, and integration into with well-established international removal and prevention programs.

Data availability

Data available on request by contacting both the correspondent Author ([email protected]) and the New Heaven Reef Conservation Program ([email protected]).

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank New Heaven Reef Conservation and above all Kirsty Magson, the program manager, for providing part of the data and making this study possible. We are also deeply grateful to all the volunteers who, over the years, have contributed to the collection of data and to the implementation of the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, 48 Moo 3, Chalok Ban Kao, Koh Tao, 84360, Thailand

    Baruffaldi Matilde

  2. Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Brecce Bianche s.n.c, 60131, Ancona, Italy

    Baruffaldi Matilde, Roveta Camilla, Tonolini Rosita, Pulido Mantas Torcuato & Cristina Gioia Di Camillo

  3. National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133, Palermo, Italy

    Roveta Camilla, Pulido Mantas Torcuato & Cristina Gioia Di Camillo

  4. Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy

    Cristina Gioia Di Camillo

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  1. Baruffaldi Matilde
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  2. Roveta Camilla
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  3. Tonolini Rosita
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Contributions

Di Camillo CG and Baruffaldi M contributed to the study conception and design. Baruffaldi M and Di Camillo CG wrote the first draft of the paper and provided figures. Baruffaldi M and Tonolini R performed samplings and collected data. Roveta C, Baruffaldi M, Pulido Mantas T analyzed data. All authors contributed to improve and revise the manuscript.

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Cristina Gioia Di Camillo.

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Matilde, B., Camilla, R., Rosita, T. et al. Short- and long-term effects of culling invasive corallivorous gastropods.
Sci Rep (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32915-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32915-w

Keywords

  • Biological invasions
  • Removal
  • Muricidae
  • Control of pests
  • Surge

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