Kirchenpaueria halecioides: a non-native hydroid in the coast of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Hydroid colonies are among the groups frequently carried and introduced by human actions. Many species have been successfully transported as fouling organisms on ship hulls or in ballast water (pelagic stages) and the sea harbours appear as the places with high probability to detect exotic species. During routinely SCUBA diving conducted in Mar del Plata Harbour, Argentina (38°08´S – 57°31´W; May 2005, December 2006, March 2007, and December 2016) clumps of a plumularid were photographed and collected. Hydroid colonies were identified as Kirchenpaueria halecioides, a species frequently reported in tropical and subtropical water from the southwestern Atlantic, Brazil. Records of mature colonies in 2006 and 2016 suggest local reproduction of this non-native species. Monitoring will be necessary in order to analyse if species colonize neighbouring areas or remain confined to the port area.