Abstract
This paper reports the first records of the dwarf surf clam Mulinia lateralis (Say, 1822) outside its native area, which is the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of St Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2017 and 2018 specimens were found in the Dutch coastal waters (North Sea), in the Wadden Sea and in the Westerschelde estuary, in densities of up to almost 6000 individuals per square meter. In view of its ecology and distributional range in the native area M. lateralis has the potential to become an invasive species. Its ability to quickly colonize defaunated areas, its high fecundity and short generation time, its tolerance for anoxia and temperature extremes and its efficient exploitation of the high concentrations of phytoplankton and natural seston at the sediment-water interface may bring it into competition with native species for food and space.
Highlights
For at least half a century, the process and the environmental, economic and social impacts of invasions of non-indigenous species are a focus of ecological research (Elton 1958; Rilov and Crooks 2009; Marbuah et al 2014)
As early as 1969 ICES had established a working group to address multiple research and applied issues related to bio-invasions, such as early detection and alerts to potential spread, population dynamics and distribution, ecological impacts, and risk assessments
Many non-indigenous species have been introduced in NW European coastal waters
Summary
For at least half a century, the process and the environmental, economic and social impacts of invasions of non-indigenous species are a focus of ecological research (Elton 1958; Rilov and Crooks 2009; Marbuah et al 2014). Our specimens agree with the following combination of characteristics of Mulinia lateralis (Fig. 2), namely (1) triangular shell outline, (2) distinct radial ridge along posterior end of valves, (3) ligament exclusively internal, (4) accessory lamella well developed, (5) anterior lateral teeth in right valve of different sizes, the ventral one longer; two posterior lateral teeth similar in size, (6) shell colour whitish to cream, with thin, yellowish periostracum, may be thickened along the postero-dorsal margin past the. 6. – left valve with lamellar lateral teeth, posterior Mulinia lateralis one short (length about one third of postero- (Fig. 2) dorsal margin); upper and lower surfaces of these teeth smooth or with tiny crenulations, sometimes in indistinct rows; umbo on midline of shell and directed slightly forward at most. – left valve with stout lateral teeth, anterior one L- Rangia cuneata shaped, posterior one long (almost along entire (Fig. 5) postero-dorsal margin); upper and lower surfaces of these teeth serrated; umbo in front of midline of shell and directed markedly forward. The obtained consensus sequences were all 99% homologous to the M. lateralis references, despite some remaining homopolymer errors
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