WORMSOUT PLUS

The WORMSOUT PLUS project aims to advance knowledge of the polychaete Hermodice carunculata (fireworm), a native invasive species in the Mediterranean that is rapidly expanding and now poses a threat to marine biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and human health. Its spread is driven by seawater warming, the absence of natural predators, and its high reproductive capacity. As an opportunistic predator, the fireworm is mainly concentrated in areas subject to high anthropogenic pressure, often linked to inappropriate human behaviour and low environmental awareness.

WORMSOUT PLUS will be the first European project focused on transformative change, integrating science, society, and policy to mitigate the impacts of fireworm invasion and enhance the resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems. The project will be implemented in seven Mediterranean countries with varying levels of invasion and will adopt a holistic approach, combining ecological, economic, and biotechnological perspectives. Biological, genetic, and isotopic analyses will be conducted to better understand the diet and identify the most threatened taxa, alongside field regeneration experiments to assess the impact of asexual reproduction on ecosystems. In parallel, the economic and social costs of the invasion on local communities will be evaluated, and the potential use of fireworm biomass as a resource will be explored. Finally, the project will provide policy-makers with evidence-based tools to mitigate impacts in already invaded areas and prevent future expansions of the species.

(picture credits: Righi & Maletti, Unimore Lab)