Nassarius foveolatus (Gastropoda, Nassariidae), a new record of an exotic species in Brazil

Abstract

Exotic species are those that occur in an area beyond their natural limit and they are considered invasive when they cause harm to the economy, environment, or human health. In coastal environments, ballast water and inlays on the hull and other parts of vessels are the main ways of introducing invasive aquatic alien species. Nassarius foveolatus (Dunker, 1847) is native from the Central and East Indian Ocean to the East China Sea. The first specimens (empty shells) of N. foveolatus were collected manually on November 11, 2017 on the Rocio footbridge, located in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, on the coast of the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. Posteriorly, live specimens were collected in other localities of this bay. It is already possible to infer that the specimens of N. foveolatus occur together with the native specimens of N. vibex (Say, 1822), having the same niche. As previously only N. vibex existed in that place, at least a displacement of this native species has been occurred. However, certainly future ecological studies may confirm this displacement and additional consequences to the local ecosystem, as nassariids can be predators and scavengers. Control procedures should be also greatly implemented.

First record of the exotic Indothais lacera (Gastropoda, Muricidae) in Brazil

“…Although the real impact of this invader in Baía de Todos os Santos is only speculative for the moment, its introduction (from at least two source populations) is a reminder that there are still few efforts dedicated to the prevention of marine bioinvaders in Brazilian ports (e.g., Gernet et al, 2019;Spotorno-Oliveira et al, 2020). Considering the ecological importance of molluscs within the marine benthic fauna, a significant change in the species composition of mollusc assemblages could have cascading effects on the entire benthic community, especially considering a fauna that already suffers from the impacts generated by port activity (Hatje & Andrade, 2009).…”

“…As a result, transfer via ballast water in ships has acted as the main vehicle in the dispersion of bioinvaders across coastal environments (Wonham et al, 2001;Silva & Barros, 2011). For mollusks, in particular, Brazil has not been an exception, and several recent discoveries have been made in coastal marine environments, including gastropods, bivalves and a chiton (Simone & Gonçalves, 2006;Breves-Ramos et al, 2010;Rocha et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2017;Spotorno-Oliveira et al, 2018Amaral et al, 2019;Gernet et al, 2019;Belz et al, 2020;Jardim & Pedro, 2021).…”