Population genetics of Haminoea (Haloa) japonica Pilsbry, 1895, a widespread non-indigenous sea slug (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) in North America and Europe

The evolution of the molluscan biota of Sabaudia Lake: a matter of human history

“…Recent records of Haminoea japonica from Sabaudia Lake have considerably expanded its known Mediterranean range to the Tyrrhenian Sea (Crocetta et al 2013) and, according to our field observations, this species has completely replaced populations of other native Haminoea species. This finding is paralleled by a similar observation by Hanson et al (2013), who reported the complete replacement of the once common Haminoea vesicula (Gould, 1855) in Boundary Bay (North America). The records of Arcuatula senhousia confirm the presence of this species in the area (see Cossignani and Ardovini 2011).…”

Slipping through the Cracks: The Taxonomic Impediment Conceals the Origin and Dispersal of Haminoea japonica, an Invasive Species with Impacts to Human Health

“…In this paper we study the spread of Haminoea japonica , an opisthobranch sea slug native to Japan and Korea with a non-native range including the west coast of North America, Spain, Italy and France [7,8]. Documentation of the spread of H. japonica has been hampered by the taxonomic impediment.…”

“…Most alarming is the fact that H. japonica appears to be an aggressive competitor that might have displaced native congeneric species in North America and Europe. For example, Hanson et al [8] reported the complete replacement of a once-abundant population of Haminoea vesicula (Gould, 1855) in Boundary Bay (with up to 200 individuals per m 2 ) by H. japonica . This is paralleled by a similar observation made in Laguna di Sabaudia , Italy in which H. japonica is now dominant [10].…”

“…Previous research on the population genetics of H. japonica concluded that the non-native populations most likely originated in Northeastern Japan and dispersed via exports of commercial bivalves [8]. However, it was not possible to determine whether European populations were the result of a secondary invasion from North America, or an independent invasion from Japan.…”

“…However, it was not possible to determine whether European populations were the result of a secondary invasion from North America, or an independent invasion from Japan. Although it was hypothesized that non-native populations of H. japonica appeared to be constrained by cold-water requirements, because they originated in colder regions of Japan (influenced by the Oyashio ocean current) [8], and the warm-water Mediterranean populations appeared to have gone extinct [11], recent records of established populations in two western Mediterranean coastal lagoons contradict this hypothesis [9]. …”