Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Table of Contents - May 2012 - Volume 92, Issue 03  

Research Article

Spatial distribution of the invasive bivalve Isognomon bicolor on rocky shores of Arvoredo Island (Santa Catarina, Brazil)

A.S. Martineza1 c1

a1 Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Oceanografia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Invertebrados Bentônicos, Cx. P. 474, CEP 96.201-900, RS, Brazil

Abstract

The invasion of marine species is a threat to local and global biodiversity and can have many ecological, economic and social impacts. The bivalve Isognomon bicolor has invaded the rocky shores of Brazil and spread along the coast, occurring from Rio Grande do Norte to the Santa Catarina State. The present study evaluated the distribution of I. bicolor on different rocky shores of Arvoredo Island (Santa Catarina State) and its relationship with other taxa. A high density of I. bicolor was found on the exposed shore, which was associated with the occurrence of articulated calcareous macroalgae. In addition, I. bicolor was also found in empty shells of the barnacles Tetraclita stalactifera and Megabalanus spp. The physical structure of these habitats probably plays an important role in the success of I. bicolor invasion. For these reasons, I. bicolor evidences an alteration on the benthic community of the rocky shores and its potential consequences become a threat to local species.

(Received September 26 2010)

(Accepted May 18 2011)

(Online publication July 22 2011)

Keywords

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence should be addressed to: A.S. Martinez, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Oceanografia, Laboratório de Ecologia de Invertebrados Bentônicos, Cx. P. 474, CEP 96.201-900, RS, Brazil email: aline_oceano@yahoo.com.br