New Data on Exotic Muricid Species (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) from Spain Based on Integrative Taxonomy

The occurrence of <i>Ocinebrellus inornatus</i> and <i>Rapana venosa</i>, two exotic marine gastropods of the family Muricidae originating from the northwest Pacific, is reported in Spanish waters, specifically in the Galician waters (NW Spain) in 2023. Live specimens of <...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rafael Bañón, Juan Fariña, Alejandro de Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-11-01
Series:Diversity
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/12/1185
Description
Summary:The occurrence of <i>Ocinebrellus inornatus</i> and <i>Rapana venosa</i>, two exotic marine gastropods of the family Muricidae originating from the northwest Pacific, is reported in Spanish waters, specifically in the Galician waters (NW Spain) in 2023. Live specimens of <i>O. inornatus</i> were found on Illa de Arousa, in the Ría de Arousa, southern Galicia, where they are already established. Two new specimens of <i>R. venosa</i> are recorded in Galicia, one of them for the first time out of the Ría de Arousa, representing a range expansion for the species. The DNA barcoding analysis confirms the previous morphological identifications. It is suspected that both species may have been introduced through importation of clam spat and middle-sized oysters from countries such as France, the United Kingdom or Italy for subsequent culture, as has been the case with other exotic species that can currently be found in Galician waters. The continuous arrival of marine exotic species strongly supports the need to establish a monitoring program in Galician waters.
ISSN:1424-2818