Research articles |
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Ana Cristina Cardoso and Gary Free
Incorporating invasive alien species into ecological assessment in the context of the Water Framework Directive
(pp 361-366)
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The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is currently the principal document covering the management of inland,
transitional and coastal waters in the EU. The current approach to its implementation regarding ecological
assessment of biological elements is to develop assessment systems tailored to detect a response to a specific
pressure. Although the WFD does not specifically mention invasive alien species (IAS) discussion has commenced
on how to incorporate them into ecological assessment owing to their ability to significantly alter the structure
and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. A potential framework is presented whereby IAS are treated as both a pressure
and as part of a biological element to be monitored. It is proposed that the densities and distribution of IAS in water
bodies are matched to normative definitions for quality classes in the WFD by expert groups at EU level. This would allow
a rapid and consistent assignment of ecological status on the basis on IAS abundance and distribution in a water body.
Such assessment should deal with IAS separately from other pressures. This would allow a separate report of the ecological
degradation resulting from IAS so that specific management measures may be designed.
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Ignacio Bárbara, Sook-Young Lee, Viviana Peña, Pilar Díaz, Javier Cremades, Jung Hyun Oak and Han-Gu Choi
Chrysymenia wrightii (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta) a new non-native species for the European Atlantic Coast
(pp 367-375)
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Chrysymenia wrightii, originally described from Japan, was found for the first time from the European Atlantic coast.
It was collected in several subtidal rocky bottom habitats (9-14 meters depth) of the Ría de Arousa (Galicia, NW Spain).
In this work, a description of Galician gametophytic and tetrasporophytic plants is provided. They are similar to the Mediterranean
and Japanese plants. DNA sequence data of materials from Galicia and Korea were investigated using nuclear SSU and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA
and plastid rbcL sequences. No genetic variation was observed in the SSU, and only one substitution was detected in ITS and rbcL data
between Galician and Korean samples, respectively. Our molecular data indicate that the Galician populations of C. wrightii are
probably due to a recent introduction event from the northwest Pacific. Despite the fact that C. wrightii was formerly recorded
as a new non-native species from a Mediterranean hotspot (Thau Lagoon, 1987-1989), it was never reported for the European Atlantic coast.
After 30 years of its first report in the Mediterranean Sea, the simultaneous occurrence of C. wrightii in four subtidal localities
of NW Spain suggests that this species may have colonized the region unnoticed for several years which may be related to its subtidal
habitat and short life cycle. Similarly to the Mediterranean Sea, the introduction of C. wrightii on the European Atlantic coasts
could be enhanced by the intensive aquaculture widely spread along the Galician coast. Curiously, C. wrightii is apparently
restricted to both areas, the Ría de Arousa and the Thau Lagoon. In addition, many non-native species markedly represented in Galicia
since the 1980’s were firstly reported in the Ría de Arousa. Consequently, the Ría de Arousa should be considered an outstanding European
Atlantic hotspot of introduced marine species similar to the Solent region (South of England) or the Thau Lagoon..
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Kjersti Sjøtun, Vivian Husa and Viviana Peña
Present distribution and possible vectors of introductions of the alga Heterosiphonia japonica (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in Europe
(pp 377-394)
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In order to trace the introduction history of the western Pacific species Heterosiphonia japonica to and within Europe,
information on distribution pattern of the species in Europe, oyster import and shipping activity has been compiled and analyzed.
Additionally survival of fragments of H. japonica during a simulated journey in ballast water from Asia (Korea) to Europe
(France) has been observed. The species was first recorded in Europe near an oyster culture area in Brittany (France) in 1984.
Since then, it has spread quickly in Europe. The first introduction into Europe and secondary dispersal in southern Europe has
most likely been trough movement of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. However, survival of H. japonicain temperatures
varying from 14 to 28 degrees during a simulated 28-days journey in ballast water was demonstrated, and an introduction by ships
from the Pacific Ocean may thus be considered as possible. Spreading of the species in the North Sea area and Scandinavia is most
likely due to transport by ships, e.g. as attached to ships hulls, as fragments in ballast water or entangled e.g. in fishing gear.
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Piotr Gruszka and Adam Woźniczka
Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinski, 1894) in the River Odra estuary – another invader threatening Baltic Sea coastal lagoons
(pp 395-403)
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Dikerogammarus villosus is a pontogammarid species that has rapidly extended its range in Europe starting from the Ponto-Caspian basin.
In the 1990s it moved from the Hungarian to Austrian section of the River Danube, and then (after the opening of the Main-Danube canal)
invaded German inland waterways. Using the canals joining the different river systems, the species has reached the River Odra.
There it quickly spread both up- and downstream, reaching for the first time the Baltic Sea coastal waters (the Szczecin Lagoon) by 2002,
extending the list of alien species that can be found in the Baltic. Based on samples taken in 2002-2004, D. villosus occurrence
in the Szczecin Lagoon and adjacent coastal waters were identified. A mass occurrence of the species was found in some places already in 2002.
Owing to the fact that an important (both for open sea and inland traffic) shipping route crosses the lagoon, populated by the new species,
it is very probable that the area can act as a stepping stone in dispersal of D. villosus to other oligohaline Baltic Sea coastal waters.
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Anna Packalén, Samuli Korpinen and Kari K. Lehtonen
The invasive amphipod species Gammarus tigrinus (Sexton 1939) can rapidly change littoral communities in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)
(pp 405-412)
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The invasive amphipod Gammarus tigrinus was found for the first time and in abundant populations
in shallow-water habitats in coastal areas of the city of Helsinki (Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea).
In summer-autumn 2007 the species occurred at four out of seven study sites, dominating almost exclusively
at one site and comprising a progressively increasing share of the local gammarid community at another site
with a reducing portion of the native Gammarus zaddachi during the study period. The species did not
occur at the least polluted archipelago stations, which are also most exposed to wave action. With only single
previous observations of this species in Finland the current findings show that G. tigrinus has now
firmly established itself into the northern Baltic littoral ecosystem. As this exceedingly omnivoric species
is able to outcompete and replace native herbivorous Gammarus species its environmentally detrimental
effects may include lesser consumption of e.g. filamentous macroalgae, which are already highly abundant
in the study region due to eutrophication.
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Short communications |
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César Peteiro
A new record of the introduced seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) from the Cantabrian Sea (northern Spain) with comments on its establishment
(pp 413-415)
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Undaria pinnatifida was recorded for the third time at the Cantabrian Sea, northern Spain.
This record represents the easternmost occurrence of this non-indigenous seaweed along the Spanish coast.
Information on the establishment of the species is also provided.
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Jaen Nieto Amat, Frederico Cardigos and Ricardo Serrão Santos
The recent northern introduction of the seaweed Caulerpa webbiana (Caulerpales, Chlorophyta) in Faial, Azores Islands (North-Eastern Atlantic)
(pp 417-422)
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Until recently, introduced species did not seem to have a significant adverse impact on the Azorean marine native flora and fauna.
Nevertheless, one of the recent alien species listed for this region belongs to a genus with high invasive potential:
Caulerpa (Caulerpales, Chlorophyta). Caulerpa webbiana was first detected in 2002 near the main yachting harbour
of the Azores, Horta, in Faial. Through the years it has rapidly extended its colonized area and the density of colonies encountered
have increased in the harbour and adjacent areas. The establishment of the seaweed represents a northern extension of its distribution
and may have been facilitated by changes in climate. However, the actual pattern of C. webbiana distribution seems to indicate
that this new species was possibly introduced by maritime traffic rather than reaching the island through natural rafting. There is an
urgent need to address the issue of this seaweed in the Azores.
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Elif Özgür and Bayram Öztürk
A population of the alien jellyfish, Cassiopea andromeda (Forsskål, 1775) [Cnidaria: Scyphozoa: Rhizostomea] in the Ölüdeniz Lagoon, Turkey
(pp 423-428)
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TAn established population of the alien jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda is present in Ölüdeniz Lagoon,
off southwestern Turkey. This is the third record of this invasive species off the Turkish coast. The high abundance of the species in the Ölüdeniz Lagoon and along the Turkish coast is of great concern
as it may annoy bathers and impact tourism.
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Marie Storr-Paulsen and Bastian Huwer
Changes in distribution and lengths of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the central Baltic Sea between fall and spring
(pp 429-434)
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In March 2008, we conducted a survey to investigate the distribution and abundance of the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi
in the Bornholm Basin after the winter period. Compared to the situation in November 2007 the centre of the distribution had shifted
towards the deeper parts of the Basin where temperatures were higher than at the surface. Furthermore, we found a decrease in average
size from 18.6 mm ± 7.6 SD in November to an average of 10.5 mm ± 4.9 SD in March, which may indicate the emergence of a new generation
of M. leidyi between the two sampling dates.
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Mehmet Gökoğlu and Elif Özgür
First report of Chromodoris annulata Eliot, 1904 (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Chromodorididae)
on the Levantine coast of Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean
(pp 435-437)
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The present work reports the find of a new alien opisthobranch, Chromodoris annulata on the Levantine coast of Turkey.
It constitutes also the second record for the Mediterranean Sea. One specimen of C. annulata was photographed and collected
from a shallow rocky habitat in Beldibi, Antalya.
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César Ayres
A new record of Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) in Galicia (Iberian Peninsula) - Ribeiras do Louro e Gandaras de Budiño wetland
(pp 439-440)
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This paper presents the first record of Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) in the Centeans Ponds,
Ribeiras do Louro e Gandaras de Budiño wetland (northwestern Iberian Peninsula). This exotic invasive
bivalve has been found in January 2008 in the Centeans ponds. The way and date of introduction it is
still unknown.
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Oxana Munjiu and Igor Shubernetski
First record of Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Moldova
(pp 441-442)
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The living individuals of Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
has been recorded for the first time in Moldova, in July 2008, from Lake Beleu, Prut River basin.
Perhaps, this invasive species entered the Prut River basin from the Romanian and (or) Ukrainian
territory where it was found earlier.
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Bella S. Galil
Sphaeroma walkeri Stebbing, 1905 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) established on the Mediterranean coast of Israel
(pp 443-444)
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The isopod Sphaeroma walkeri is one of the most widely ship-transported alien species in the world,
and was first recorded in the Mediterranean during the earlier part of the last century. Although this species
has been mentioned in passing from the Israeli coast the present record suggests that S. walkeri is established in the region.
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Vitaliy Semenchenko and Vasiliy Vezhnovetz
Two new invasive Ponto-Caspian amphipods reached the Pripyat River, Belarus
(pp 445-447)
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During a survey of the Pripyat River (part of the European central invasive corridor, within Republic of Belarus) in June 2008,
we for the first time found two alien amphipod species of Ponto-Caspian origin: Obesogammarus obesus (Sars, 1896)
and Obesogammarus crassus (Sars, 1894). The maximum number of specimens was found at sites close to river ports.
The data on distribution of species along the Pripyat River show that during the last 10-15 years, the fauna of invasive
Ponto-Caspian amphipods in the Belarusian part of the European central invasion corridor has become enriched with new species.
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Christophe Piscart, Chafik Maazouzi and Pierre Marmonier
Range expansion of the North American alien amphipod Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939 (Crustacea: Gammaridae) in Brittany, France
(pp 449-453)
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Since the first observation in September 2005 of Gammarus tigrinus in Brittany (Western France),
the species’ range has expanded slowly. By September 2008, the range of G. tigrinus expanded > 63.6 km
to the North and 60.4 km to the West of that observed in 2005. G. tigrinus is thought to be responsible
for the replacement of native Gammarus pulex. The relatively slow expansion rate of G. tigrinus
in Brittany may result from either a low frequency of ship traffic, a known vector for the species, or from
the species’ slow acclimatisation to brackish waters. A number of simulated invasion scenarios are presented
for the future dispersal of G. tigrinus in Brittany.
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Nadezhda A. Berezina and Zdeněk Ďuriš
First record of the invasive species Dikerogammarus villosus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in the Vltava River (Czech Republic)
(pp 455-460)
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Dikerogammarus villosus, an amphipod crustacean of the Ponto-Caspian origin, was introduced into the Labe (Elbe)
River from the Danube River in 1998 after the opening several of man-made canals and by 2001 it had invaded the whole
German course of the Elbe and the lower part of Czech course of the river. In September of 2008 D. villosus
was found in the Vltava River, a tributary of the Labe (Elbe) River and the biggest river in the Czech Republic.
The density and biomass of this species in the Vltava River in September of 2008 reached 214-247 ind. m-2
and 5-7 g wet weight m-2. 40% of specimens in the study population were mature females and around 23% were
juveniles (up to 6 mm), which indicates successful conditions for reproduction. D. villosus has become a major
component of the macrobenthic fauna in large rivers of the Czech Republic, and further monitoring and assessment
of its ecological significance in aquatic communities is warranted.
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Åsa M. Kestrup and Anthony Ricciardi
Occurrence of the Ponto-Caspian mysid shrimp Hemimysis anomala (Crustacea, Mysida) in the St. Lawrence River
(pp 461-464)
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An invasive Ponto-Caspian shrimp, the bloody-red mysid Hemimysis anomala, is recorded for the first time in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal.
The presence of gravid females and juveniles suggest an ongoing colonization of the river, likely driven by downstream dispersal of individuals from
source populations in Lake Ontario. Two years after being discovered in Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario, H. anomala has now been recorded in all
major waterbodies within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system, except for Lake Superior.
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Eric R. Larson and Julian D. Olden
Do schools and golf courses represent emerging pathways for crayfish invasions?
(pp 465-468)
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Prevention is frequently promoted as the most desirable management strategy for biological invasions.
Crayfish introductions are typically associated with aquaculture and bait bucket releases, but here we report
two alternate pathways that may be responsible for the recent invasion of Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852)
and Orconectes virilis (Hagen, 1870) in Washington State, U.S.A. Using distributional data and personal
interviews we identified (1) school science programs, which use crayfish as laboratory organisms, as a likely pathway
of introductions, and (2) golf courses bordering lakes, in which ponds have been constructed and are suspected to be
stocked with O. virilis to control aquatic macrophytes. Particularly concerning, we found the highly invasive
crayfish Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852) in use as a laboratory organism at multiple schools, although this
species is not known to be established in the region. Vector management is critical for interrupting the transfer
of invasive species, and our study has identified two emerging pathways that require greater research attention and
stricter regulation.
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Sezginer Tuncer and Sabri Bilgin
First record of Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) in the Dardanelles, Canakkale, Turkey
(p 469)
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A single mature female specimen of Callinectes sapidus was captured on 14 November 2008 off Canakkale, Turkey.
This is the first record of the blue crab from the Dardanelles.
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Fulvio Garibaldi and Lidia Orsi Relini
Record of the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838 in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean)
(pp 471-474)
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The record of one adult female of the bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Rüppell, 1838,
caught using trawl nets in coastal waters near Sanremo, Western Ligurian Sea, in October 2007 is reported.
This record confirms the rapid spread of the species and suggests a possible fast expansion toward French
and Spanish waters by means of the Western Mediterranean Northern Current. Previous records in Italian waters
apparently indicate a pioneer phase of colonization by adult fish and a stabilized phase, with adult and young
fish, four years later.
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Murat Bilecenoglu, Mehmet Baki Yokeş and Ahmet Eryigit
First record of Vanderhorstia mertensi Klausewitz, 1974 (Pisces, Gobiidae) in the Mediterranean Sea
(pp 475-478)
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A dense population of the slender shrimpgoby, Vanderhorstia mertensi Klausewitz, 1974, was observed in Fethiye Bay (Turkey),
in association with burrows constructed by the alpheid shrimps, Alpheus glaber and A.rapacida. This is the first record
of the species in the Mediterranean Sea, and the fifth alien goby in the region.
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