The invasion of five alien species in the Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Marine biological invasions have been regarded as one of the major causes of native biodiversity loss, with shipping and aquaculture being the leading contributors for the introductions of alien species in aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, five aquatic alien species (one mollusk, three crustaceans and one fish species) were detected during dives, shore searches and from the fisheries on the coast of the Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area, in the States of Piauí and Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. The species were the bicolor purse-oyster Isognomon bicolor, the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the Indo-Pacific swimming crab Charybdis hellerii and, the muzzled blenny Omobranchus punctatus. Ballast water (I. bicolor, C. hellerii, and O. punctatus) and aquaculture activities (L. vannamei and M. rosenbergii) in adjacent areas are the most likely vectors of introduction. All exotic species found have potential impact risks to the environment because they are able to compete against native species for resources (food and habitat). Isognomon bicolor share the same habitat and food items with the native bivalve species of mussels and barnacles. Litopenaeus vannamei share the same habitat and food items with the native penaeids such as the pinkspot shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, the Southern brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus subtilis, and the Southern white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti, and in the past few years L. vannamei was responsible for a viral epidemics in the cultivation tanks that could be transmitted to native penaeid shrimps. Charybdis hellerii is also able to cause impacts on the local fisheries as the species can decrease the populations of native portunid crabs which are commercialized in the studied region. Macrobrachium rosenbergii may be sharing natural resources with the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum. Omobranchus punctatus shares habit with the native redlip blenny Ophioblennius atlanticus and other fishes, such as the frillfin goby Bathigobius soporator. Some immediate remedial measures to prevent further introductions from ballast water and shrimp farm ponds should be: (i) to prevent the release of ballast water by ship/vessels in the region; (ii) to reroute all effluent waters from shrimp rearing facilities through an underground or above-ground dry well; (iii) to install adequate sand and gravel filter which will allow passage of water but not livestock; (iv) outdoor shrimp pounds located on floodable land should be diked, and; (v) to promote environmental awareness of those directly involved with ballast water (crews of ship/vessels) and shrimp farms in the region. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (3): 909-923. Epub 2010 September 01.

Histological development of the digestive system of the Amazonian pimelodid catfish Pseudoplatystoma punctifer

“…Aquaculture in Latin America accounts for 3.1% of the world's production (FAO, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, 2013) and is mostly based on the culture of exotic freshwater species, such as the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Martínez-Espinosa and Pedini, 1998). However, different authors have highlighted an increasing concern over the impact of exotic species on native fish populations and aquatic habitats (Zambrano et al, 2006;Gozlan et al, 2010;Loebmann et al, 2010 among others), whereas this area, especially the Neotropical region, has the most diverse freshwater fish fauna in the world (Goulding, 1980). Consequently, different authorities are paying more attention to the development of indigenous species aquaculture in rural habitats.…”

“…In this sense, the Amazonian basin, with one of the worlds' richest hydrological and fish resources, is an area with major potential for the development of the aquaculture of indigenous freshwater species, that represent a source of good quality protein and an important income for local communities (Beeby, 2012). In addition, the development of the aquaculture of native freshwater fish species in Latin America is a challenge that may serve to reduce the impact of exotic species on native fish populations and aquatic habitats, as well as to contribute to food production of locally appreciated fish species, and land diversification in rural areas and coastal zones (NACA/FAO, 2001;Subasinghe et al, 2009;Loebmann et al, 2010). Freshwater aquaculture in South America has shown strong and continuous growth, particularly in Brazil and Peru (FAO, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, 2013).…”

Isognomon bicolor (C. B. Adams, 1845) (Mollusca: Bivalvia): first record of this invasive species for the States of Paraíba and Alagoas and new records for other localities of Northeastern Brazil

“…Domaneschi and Martins 2002, Oliveira and Creed 2008, Breves-Ramos et al 2010, Loebmann et al 2010, Zamprogno et al 2010, Martinez 2012). Yet it should be noted that other biological substrates, such as the fronds of macroalgae may also be colonized by this species .…”

A new record of the non-native fish species Butis koilomatodon (Bleeker 1849) (Teleostei: Eleotridae) for southeastern Brazil

“…Subsequently, it has been recorded for the West African coast (MILLER et al, 1989) and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean coast, where it has been found in Venezuela (LASSO-ALCALÁ et al, 2005) and from northern to southeastern Brazil (LOEBMANN et al, 2010;MACIEIRA et al, 2012). It is speculated that the species was introduced by way of ballast water and biofouling material (LOEBMANN et al, 2010;MACIEIRA et al, 2012).…”

“…Most of this order can live in the biofouling matter of the hull and ballast water tanks of cargo ships, which generally leads to global dispersal (WONHAM et al, 2000;LASSO-ALCALÁ et al, 2005;LOEBMANN et al, 2010;MACIEIRA et al, 2012).…”