Abstract
We present here the first record of Salacia tetracythara as an alien species for the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the coast of the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil. The species was found attached to an artificial experimental plate installed in the rainy period (July-October 2017), in an estuarine region of the Sergipe River near the Sergipe Harbour. Salacia tetracythara is characterized by a small triangular space below each hydrotheca and two types of microbasic mastigophore nematocysts that differ in shape, size, and location. The species was described from Australia and has been recorded only for tropical to temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific. Salacia tetracythara seems to be a recent introduction into the Atlantic Ocean and, its introduction probably derived from ship transport between the Sergipe Harbour and regions of Oceania and/or Asia. Further investigation should be conducted to determine whether the species is established in the region and how far inside the estuary it has gone.
Highlights
Hydroids constitute the polypoid stage of hydrozoans and are common components of benthic communities around the world (Gili & Hughes, 1995)
We present here the first record of Salacia tetracythara as an alien species for the Atlantic Ocean, the coast of the state of Sergipe, northeast Brazil
Salacia tetracythara is characterized by a small triangular space below each hydrotheca and two types of microbasic mastigophore nematocysts that differ in shape, size, and location
Summary
Hydroids constitute the polypoid stage of hydrozoans and are common components of benthic communities around the world (Gili & Hughes, 1995). Pelagic dispersal is performed by the medusa and/ or planula stages of the life cycle, and by the presence of tolerant or resistant stages (frustules) released from colonies, autotomy of hydranths, as well as rafting of colonies on floating structures (Boero, 2002; Haydar, 2012). As a result, these organisms are among the groups with the highest number of species transported and introduced by human actions (Haydar, 2012). Many hydroid species have been successfully transported as fouling organisms on ship hulls, in ballast water (pelagic stages), or associated with the commercial traffic of other marine species (Farrapeira et al, 2011).
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