The role of marinas and recreational boating in the occurrence and distribution of exotic caprellids (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in the Western Mediterranean: Mallorca Island as a case study

• Published in: Journal of sea research Vol. 83; pp. 94 - 103
• Main Authors: Ros, Macarena, Vázquez-Luis, Maite, Guerra-García, José M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.10.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amphipoda; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Artificial Hard Substrate; Biological and medical sciences; boating; Caprella scaura; case studies; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Exposure; fouling; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; habitats; introduced species; Invasive Species; Invertebrates; Islands; Mallorca; Marinas; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Paracaprella pusilla; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; population density; risk; Sea water ecosystems; Secondary Dispersal; Ship Fouling; Shores; Synecology; Southern Europe; Balearic Islands; Mediterranean Sea; West Mediterranean; Europe; Spain; MED, Western Mediterranean; MED, Spain, Balearic Is., Mallorca; MED, Spain, Balearic Is; Paracaprella pusilla; Secondary Dispersal; Invasive Species; Artificial Hard Substrate; Caprella scaura; Ship Fouling; Hard substrate; Island; Dispersion; Artificial substrate; Amphipoda; Marina; Recreational activity; Crustacea; Case study; Marine environment; Invasive species; Arthropoda; Ship; Invertebrata; Mediterranean region; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seares.2013.04.004
• ISSN: 1385-1101

In the Mediterranean Sea, the number of alien marine crustacean species has increased over the past two decades. However, knowledge about small alien marine crustaceans, like caprellid amphipods, is still very scarce. To understand the role of marinas and recreational boating in the early step of the invasion process by non-indigenous caprellids, we studied the recreational boating pressure and the spatial distribution of caprellid species in Mallorca Island. We collected caprellids from 14 marinas and 9 exposed intertidal rocky shores between November 2011 and April 2012 and we analyzed the differences in habitat use of native and exotic caprellids. Eight caprellid species, six native and two exotic, were found. Alien caprellids were only present in marinas, reaching high densities of population. The analysis of recreational boating pressure reveals that Palma–Migjorn is the area that is subject to the highest potential risk of introduction of exotic species via ship fouling. In the secondary dispersal of alien caprellids, the study reflects that recreational boating seems effective as a secondary vector in the transport of exotic species from marinas to marinas but not from marinas to natural and exposed areas. An illustrated key of caprellids from Balearic Island is provided to differentiate native and non-indigenous species. •Native and non-native caprellids differ in their habitat use.•Exotic caprellids were found associated with artificial hard substrate of marinas.•Recreational boating spreads exotic caprellids between marinas.•It does not transport exotic caprellids from marinas to natural and exposed areas.•This study provides an illustrated key of Caprellidea from Balearic Island.