A brief overview of known introductions of non-native marine and coastal species into China

Abstract

In this reply, we address the criticism directed recently to our work by Galil et al. (2016) dismissing the hypothesis that the Suez Canal can act as a revolving door allowing marine species to move both ways between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. We reiterate that the presence in the Red Sea of the Indo-West Pacific sea slug Chelidonura fulvipunctata Baba, 1938 is most parsimoniously explained by an invasion from the Mediterranean and highlight several recent studies combing morphology and molecular phylogenetics where established views about the presence of alien Indo-Pacific / Red Sea species in the Mediterranean were proven wrong. Caution is suggested when assuming the conspecificity of species between these realms based solely on external features.

A Framework for Understanding Marine Cosmopolitanism in the Anthropocene

“…These vectors have been or now include the extensive niche areas on or in ocean-going vessels that transport fouling, entangled, and ballasted organisms, sea level (such as the Suez) and lock (Panama) canals, mariculture (aquaculture), the aquarium and saltwater bait industries, and long-distance rafting on anthropogenic debris. Reviews of some marine bionvasions successfully introduced via these mechanisms or corridors are available, for example, for North America (Cohen and Carlton, 1995; Ruiz et al, 2000, 2011, 2015), Europe (Wolff, 2005; Gollasch, 2006; Galil et al, 2014), the Mediterranean (Galil, 2009; Rilov and Galil, 2009; Ulman et al, 2017), the Azores (Cardigos et al, 2006) and Madeira (Canning-Clode et al, 2013), South Africa (Mead et al, 2011; Alexander et al, 2016), Argentina (Orensanz et al, 2002), Brazil (Ferreira et al, 2009); the Pacific coast of Mexico (Low-Pfeng and Peters-Recagno, 2012), Chile (Villasenor-Parada et al, 2017), the Hawaiian Islands (Carlton and Eldredge, 2009, 2015), Japan (Otani, 2006), China (Xiong et al, 2017), Korea (Park et al, 2017), Australia (Wyatt et al, 2005, and references therein; Sliwa et al, 2009), and New Zealand (Hayden et al, 2009). The majority of these introduced species—whether phytoplankton, foraminifera, other protists, invertebrates, fish, or plants—are recognized as neocosmopolitan taxa based upon morphological and other criteria noted above.…”

Long‐term changes of marine subtidal benthic communities in North East Asia (Yellow and Japan seas) in a global change context: A review

“…In addition, ballast water is one of the main sources of non-native species in coastal and marine ecosystems (Drake & Lodge, 2004). Up to now, at least 213 non-native marine species belonging to 52 orders, 89 families, and 133 genera have been found in China (including the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea; Xiong, Shen, Wu, Lu, & Yan, 2017). The Yellow Sea has the highest number of non-native marine species (86 species), followed by the Bohai Sea (72 species), the East China Sea (57 species), and the South China Sea (36 species).…”

“…Most non-native marine species in Chinese waters were introduced from the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean, which is mainly due to the fact that the countries (or regions) of the main aquaculture and aquarium trade with China are adjacent to these three oceans (Xiong et al, 2017).…”

“…Up to now, at least 213 non-native marine species belonging to 52 orders, 89 families, and 133 genera have been found in China (including the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea;Xiong, Shen, Wu, Lu, & Yan, 2017). The Yellow Sea has the highest number of non-native marine species (86 species), followed by the Bohai Sea (72 species), the East China Sea (57 species), and the South China Sea (36 species).Most non-native marine species in Chinese waters were introduced from the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean, which is mainly due to the fact that the countries (or regions) of the main aquaculture and aquarium trade with China are adjacent to these three oceans(Xiong et al, 2017).Non-native species are those that occur outside of their natural range. That natural range could be as far as another country or as close as a different region of the same country.…”

Factors influencing tropical Island freshwater fishes: species, status, threats and conservation in Hainan Island

“…Thus, local government, citizens, and environmental organizations should pay more attention to the impacts of dams and carry out habitat restoration where necessary. China is currently the most seriously threatened county by invasion of aquatic organisms (Xiong et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2016;Xiong et al, 2017). Although little is known about the negative impacts of these non-native freshwater fishes in Hainan Island, these non-native fish species have caused great negative impacts in other regions of world (Pimentel et al, 2000;Ribeiro and Leunda, 2012).…”