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The presence of Mya arenaria in the Ria de Aveiro is the third confirmed record of this invasive clam on the Portuguese coast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2012

Anxo Conde ,
Júlio M. Novais  and
Jorge Domínguez
Anxo Conde*
Affiliation:
IBB (Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering), Center for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
Júlio M. Novais
Affiliation:
IBB (Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering), Center for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
Jorge Domínguez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende, Vigo E-36310, Spain
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: A. Conde, IBB (Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering), Center for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal email: aconde@ist.utl.pt
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Abstract

The occurrence of the invasive clam Mya arenaria is confirmed in the Ria de Aveiro (northern Portugal). Some live specimens were collected from the mid-upper intertidal zone. The population density was low (about 0.15 ind m−2) and the individuals were large, of mean shell length 82.22 ± 14.85 mm. Large empty shells of M. arenaria, of mean shell length 85.32 ± 11.31 mm, were found in a life-like position, which indicates an episode of mass mortality in the sampling area and suggests that invasion by the clam in the Ria de Aveiro is not a recent event. Differences in the size-classes of empty shells of the invasive clam indicate that the clam is able to reproduce in this habitat. Occurrence of established populations of M. arenaria at different locations on the Portuguese coast, such as the Tagus estuary, the Lima estuary and the Ria de Aveiro, may be due to intentional introduction of M. arenaria in at least some cases.

Keywords

Mya arenariaestablished populationempty shellsRia de AveiroPortugal
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 5 , August 2012 , e88
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012

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