@article{fdi:010096391,
  title = {{M}ultiscale modelling of dispersal pathways for the invasive blue crab larvae ({C}allinectes sapidus) in the {M}editerranean {S}ea},
  author = {{B}arrier, {C}. and {L}a-{P}iana, {T}. and {B}arrier, {N}icolas and {L}ett, {C}hristophe and {G}aravelli, {L}. and {G}arrido, {M}. and {P}asqualini, {V}. and {D}urieux, {E}. {D}. {H}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he blue crab ({C}allinectes sapidus) is an invasive species present in the {M}editerranean {S}ea since the mid-twentieth century, which has undergone a significant population increase in the last decade. {T}his demographic explosion raises urgent concerns, necessitating detailed information on its dispersal dynamics at multiple scales. {T}o investigate the dispersal pathways and connectivity patterns of {C}. sapidus, we conducted a biophysical modelling study over an eleven-year period (2010-2020), combining a {L}agrangian particle-tracking tool with two hydrodynamic models of contrasting resolutions: a basin-scale model ({M}ed{MFC}, similar to 4 km) and a high-resolution regional model ({MARS}3{D}, 1.2 km). {B}y analyzing the path-use density of millions of simulated larvae, we identified major links connecting distant sub-basins, while highlighting the critical role of high-resolution modelling in resolving coastal retention features. {A}n ensemble analysis of larval fate revealed strong spatial heterogeneity: while distant settlement drives recruitment in sink areas such as the {L}igurian {S}ea and {E}astern {C}orsica, local retention is the dominant mechanism in semi-enclosed environments such as the {G}ulf of {L}ion, the {G}ulf of {G}abes and the {A}driatic {S}ea, particularly during the summer spawning season. {C}onnectivity matrices identified robust regional clusters, notably linking {T}unisia, {S}icily, {S}ardinia, and the {T}yrrhenian coast, suggesting that islands act as critical stepping stones in the colonization process. {T}hese findings provide a quantitative baseline of larval exchange networks, highlighting key areas for future investigation to support the development of operational tools for management strategies.},
  keywords = {{L}arval dispersal ; {M}arine connectivity ; {L}agrangian model ; {I}nvasive species ; {C}allinectes sapidus ; {MEDITERRANEE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{B}iological {I}nvasions},
  volume = {28},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {61 [22 p.]},
  ISSN = {1387-3547},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1007/s10530-026-03781-y},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096391},
}