Cronius ruber (Lamarck, 1818) arrives to Madeira Island: a new indication of the ongoing tropicalization of the northeastern Atlantic

Abstract

This manuscript reports the first sightings and collection of the swimming crab Cronius ruber (Lamarck, 1818) on the coast of Madeira Island, Portugal. After the recent record in the Canary Islands, this represents a further step northward on this species’ expansion in distribution in the eastern Atlantic. The crab was first spotted during underwater visual census surveys done by scuba diving in July 2018 and was repeatedly observed during the following months, in different locations on the south coast of Madeira. Analysis of temperature data from several geographic locations where C. ruber is present was performed to assess how thermal regimes and ongoing changes may influence this recent distribution shift. Current temperature trends in Madeira suggest that the arrival and establishment of C. ruber to Madeira might have been facilitated this thermophilic species, adding evidence for the ongoing tropicalization of this area. Finally, the current spread of C. ruber in both Canaries and Madeira island systems highlights the need for a long-term monitoring program targeting this and other non-indigenous species (NIS).