The detection and control of invasive alien species in marine ecosystems is especially challenging because it is difficult to visualize the full extension of an invasion, while control options are often limited. The invasive scleractinian coral Tubastraea coccinea have spread over 8000 km of the Atlantic coastline, from Florida in the USA to southern Brazil, mainly in association with oil and gas platforms. This invasive coral threatens endemic species, reduces native coral recruitment, and modifies communities and trophic interactions, posing a relevant threat to shallow Atlantic reefs. The main aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of an ongoing T. coccinea control program by analyzing the results of control interventions on population structure and cover of the target species in its southern Atlantic limit of distribution. We also describe the reproductive effort of T. coccinea in a 12-month time span. Between 2012 and 2019, almost 14,000 colonies were removed, most of them of small size (< 5 polyps). The highest reproductive effort was observed in September. Changes in T. coccinea cover, population structure and potential local propagule supply were observed. Control activities led to a reduction in up to half the cover of the invaded area, maintained the majority of the population in non-reproductive sizes, and consequently lowered the potential local propagule supply. Our paper highlights the fundamental role of control in preventing the local spread of T. coccinea. Recommendations on management frequency and timing are also discussed in order to contribute to the improvement of management efficiency.

海洋生态系统中外来入侵物种的检测和控制尤其具有挑战性，因为很难直观地看到入侵的完整范围，而控制选择通常很有限。从美国佛罗里达州到巴西南部，侵入性巩膜珊瑚Tubastraea coccinea遍布大西洋海岸线超过8000公里，主要与油气平台有关。这种侵入性珊瑚威胁着特有物种，减少了本地珊瑚的吸收，并改变了群落和营养相互作用，对浅海大西洋珊瑚礁构成了相关威胁。我们研究的主要目的是评估进行中的T的有效性。球菌通过分析对大西洋南部分布范围内目标种群的种群结构和覆盖范围进行控制干预的结果，制定控制计划。我们还描述了T. coccinea在12个月的时间范围内的生殖力。在2012年至2019年之间，移除了近14,000个菌落，其中大多数是小规模的（<5个息肉）。九月份是最高的生殖努力。球菌的变化覆盖，人口结构和潜在的当地繁殖体供应。管制活动导致入侵区域的覆盖面积减少了一半，使大多数人口处于非生殖状态，因此降低了当地繁殖体的潜在供应。我们的论文着重指出了控制在防止T.coccinea局部扩散中的基本作用。还讨论了有关管理频率和时间安排的建议，以有助于提高管理效率。