New Data on Exotic Muricid Species (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) from Spain Based on Integrative Taxonomy

Abstract

The occurrence of Ocinebrellus inornatus and Rapana venosa, two exotic marine gastropods of the family Muricidae originating from the northwest Pacific, is reported in Spanish waters, specifically in the Galician waters (NW Spain) in 2023. Live specimens of O. inornatus were found on Illa de Arousa, in the Ría de Arousa, southern Galicia, where they are already established. Two new specimens of R. venosa are recorded in Galicia, one of them for the first time out of the Ría de Arousa, representing a range expansion for the species. The DNA barcoding analysis confirms the previous morphological identifications. It is suspected that both species may have been introduced through importation of clam spat and middle-sized oysters from countries such as France, the United Kingdom or Italy for subsequent culture, as has been the case with other exotic species that can currently be found in Galician waters. The continuous arrival of marine exotic species strongly supports the need to establish a monitoring program in Galician waters.