Introduction of the alien Xenostrobus securis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) into Hong Kong, China: Interactions with and impacts upon native species and the earlier introduced Mytilopsis sallei (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 92; no. 1-2; pp. 134 - 142
• Main Authors: Morton, Brian, Leung, K.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15-03-2015
• Subjects: Animals; Bivalvia - physiology; China; Dreissenidae; Hong Kong; Interspecific interactions; Introduced Species; Invasive species; Life spans; Marine; Mytilidae; Mytilidae - physiology; Mytilopsis sallei; Opportunism; Population Dynamics; Population sizes; Rivers - chemistry; Salinity; Shell length frequency distributions; Xenostrobus securis; Hong Kong; China; ISEW, China, People's Rep., Hong Kong, Mirs Bay; ANE, Spain, Galicia; China, People's Rep; ISEW, China, People's Rep., Hong Kong; Australia; MED, Western Mediterranean; MED; INW, Korea, Rep; A, Atlantic; INW, Japan; Invasive species; Interspecific interactions; Population sizes; Opportunism; Life spans; Shell length frequency distributions
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.12.046

•The Australian X. securis is recorded from Hong Kong, China.•This species has a high salinity tolerance from almost freshwater to near-marine.•Continued spreading within China is predicted.•Warning is given of subsequent spreads, especially into the America’s.
This constitutes the first record of the Australian alien mytilid Xenostrobus securis in China. The introduction occurred prior to 2010 probably via shipping arriving at Yantian in Mirs Bay, China, close to Hong Kong. Point sources of infection could be Australia or Korea or Japan where it has similarly been introduced. Analysis of X. securis in Hong Kong shows that it tolerates a wide range of salinities from 5.4‰ to 28.7‰. Water temperatures in Hong Kong match those in its native range.
In Hong Kong, X. securis co-occurs with the similarly introduced Mytilopsis sallei and a native bivalve community. The population structure of X. securis suggests a lifespan of >2years with new generations produced by conspecifics. Such a life history strategy is also exhibited by M. sallei. Now established in China, northern Asia, the Mediterranean and, most recently, the Iberian Atlantic, the invasion of other locations by X. securis seems probable.