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- Low-cost citizen science effectively monitors the rapid expansion of a marine invasive speciesPublication . Encarnação, João; Baptista, Vânia; Teodosio, Maria; Morais, PedroCitizen science and informed citizens have become fundamental in providing the first records and accounts about the expansion of numerous non-indigenous species. However, implementing a successful citizen science campaign can be expensive and particularly difficult for aquatic species. Here, we demonstrate how a low-cost citizen science campaign and its outreach plan in social and traditional media enabled to track the expansion of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 along the coast of Algarve (southern Portugal, Europe). We describe the outreach strategy and a cost-benefit analysis of the first year of the citizen science campaign. Social media platforms allowed us to reach a significant number of citizens (over 31,500 clicks in Facebook publications), while traditional media gave national visibility to the citizen science campaign and biological invasions. In only 1 year, we documented the spread of the invasive Atlantic blue crab across the entire 140 km of the Algarve coast with 166 valid observations referring to 1747 specimens, submitted by 62 citizen scientists. We spent 0 € on the citizen science campaign, but considering the time invested in the campaign the cost would have summed up to 3,751 €, while the total minimum cost for one scientist to go to the field and retrieve the equivalent information would have exceeded 11,000 €. We used free online tools of communication to obtain the records about the Atlantic blue crab, instead of a dedicated web platform or mobile app, and handled social media accounts ourselves, which saved us at least 18,815 €. The citizen science campaign revealed that the Atlantic blue crab is unequivocally established in southern Portugal and that females appear to exhibit summer migrations to coastal areas to spawn as in the native area. Overall, our lowcost citizen science campaign effectively documented the rapid spread of a marine invasive species while providing some insights into its ecology. Our strategy can be easily replicated and implemented elsewhere in the world to tackle the ever-growing problem of biological invasions while increasing the scientific literacy of local populations.
- A horizon scan exercise for aquatic invasive alien species in Iberian inland watersPublication . Oficialdegui, Francisco J.; Zamora-Marín, José M.; Guareschi, Simone; Anastácio, Pedro M.; García-Murillo, Pablo; Ribeiro, Filipe; Miranda, Rafael; Cobo, Fernando; Gallardo, Belinda; García-Berthou, Emili; Boix, Dani; Arias, Andrés; Cuesta, Jose A.; Medina, Leopoldo; Almeida, David; Banha, Filipe; Barca, Sandra; Biurrun, Idoia; Cabezas, M. Pilar; Calero, Sara; Campos, Juan A.; Capdevila-Argüelles, Laura; Capinha, César; Casals, Frederic; Clavero, Miguel; Encarnação, João; Fernández-Delgado, Carlos; Franco, Javier; Guillén, Antonio; Hermoso, Virgilio; Machordom, Annie; Martelo, Joana; Mellado-Díaz, Andrés; Morcillo, Felipe; Oscoz, Javier; Perdices, Anabel; Pou-Rovira, Quim; Rodríguez-Merino, Argantonio; Ros, Macarena; Ruiz-Navarro, Ana; Sánchez, Marta I.; Sánchez-Fernández, David; Sánchez-González, Jorge R.; Sánchez-Gullón, Enrique; Teodosio, M A; Torralva, Mar; Vieira-Lanero, Rufino; Oliva-Paterna, Francisco J.As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential In-vasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on taxa with expert opinion, we identified the most relevant aquatic IAS in the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., those with the greatest geographic extent (or probability of introduction), severe ecological, economic and human health impacts, greatest difficulty and acceptability of management. We highlighted the 126 most relevant IAS already present in Ibe-rian inland waters (i.e., Concern list) and 89 with a high probability of being introduced in the near future (i.e., Alert list), of which 24 and 10 IAS, respectively, were considered as a management priority after receiving the highest scores in the expert assessment (i.e., top-ranked IAS). In both lists, aquatic IAS belonging to the four thematic groups (plants, freshwater invertebrates, estuarine invertebrates, and vertebrates) were identified as having been introduced through various pathways from different regions of the world and classified according to their main functional feeding groups. Also, the latest update of the list of IAS of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 includes only 12 top-ranked IAS identified for the Iberian Peninsula, while the national lists incorporate the vast majority of them. This fact underlines the great importance of taxa prioritisation exercises at biogeographical scales as a step prior to risk anal-yses and their inclusion in national lists. This HS provides a robust assessment and a cost-effective strategy for decision -makers and stakeholders to prioritise the use of limited resources for IAS prevention and management. Although ap-plied at a transnational level in a European biodiversity hotspot, this approach is designed for potential application at any geographical or administrative scale, including the continental one.
- The invasive Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 expands its distributional range southward to Atlantic African shores: first records along the Atlantic coast of MoroccoPublication . Chaouti, Abdellatif; Belattmania, Zahira; Nadri, Amal; Serrao, Ester; Encarnação, João; Teodosio, Maria; Reani, Abdeltif; Sabour, BrahimThe occurrence of the exotic Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae) is reported for the first time from the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Working with local fishermen, we gathered 160 records of the Atlantic blue crab from several estuarine, coastal and marine areas, in the period between June and August 2021. These new records confirm its establishment in the Atlantic coasts of North Africa, suggesting a southern range expansion. These findings, likely exacerbated by growing populations along the Atlantic coast of Morocco and temperate coastal waters, provide new insights into the invasion dynamics of this species in the northeast Atlantic Ocean.
- Citizen Science and Biological Invasions: A ReviewPublication . Encarnação, João; Teodosio, Maria; Morais, PedroBiological invasions are among the most challenging ecological and conservation riddles of our times. Fortunately, citizen science projects became a valuable tool to detect non-indigenous species (NIS), document their spread, prevent dispersion, and eradicate localized populations. We evaluated the most undisputed definitions of citizen science and proposed that a combination of two of them is a better reflection of what citizen science has become. Thus, citizen science is any environmental and/or biological data collection and analysis, including data quality control, undertaken by members of the general public, as individuals or as organized groups of citizens, with the guidance and/or assistance of scientists toward solving environmental and/or community questions. With this review, we also assessed how citizen science has been advancing biological invasions research and its focus, by analyzing 126 peer-reviewed articles that used citizen science methods or data concerning NIS. Most of the articles studied terrestrial species (68%) and terrestrial plants were the most studied group (22.7%). Surprisingly, most first detection reports were of non-indigenous marine fish probably due to the constraints in accessing aquatic ecosystems which delays the detection of new NIS. Citizen science projects running over broad geographical areas are very cost-effective for the early detection of NIS, regardless of the studied environment. We also discuss the applicability and need to adapt the methods and approaches toward the studied ecosystem and species, but also the profile of the participating citizens, their motivations, level of engagement, or social status. We recommend authors to better acknowledge the work done by contributing citizens, and the putative limitations of data generated by citizen science projects. The outreach planning of citizen science projects is also evaluated, including the use of dedicated web platforms vs. pre-existent and disseminated web platforms, while discussing how such outreach actions can be maximized. Lastly, we present a framework that contextualizes the contributions of citizen science, scientific research, and regional and national stakeholders toward the integrated management of biological invasions.
- First record of the nudibranch tenellia adspersa (Nordmann, 1845) in Portugal, associated with the invasive hydrozoan cordylophora caspia (Pallas, 1771)Publication . Encarnação, João; Seyer, Thomas; Teodosio, Maria; Leitão, FranciscoThe estuarine nudibranch Tenellia adspersa (Nordmann, 1845) was recorded for the first time in Portugal, while sampling for fouling fauna of artificial structures along the salinity gradient of the Guadiana estuary (SW Iberian Peninsula). Two specimens were found in association with the invasive hydrozoan Cordylophora caspia (Pallas, 1771) and kept in the laboratory for taxonomy purposes. After two days, batches of eggs were seen in C. caspia branches, while the nudibranchs were also actively feeding on the hydrozoan polyps. The fast generation times of T. adspersa, along with its food preference for C. caspia, might suggest a positive role of the nudibranch on controlling this invasive hydrozoan in the Guadiana estuary. Introduction routes and facilitation interactions are discussed.
- A multi-taxa assessment of aquatic non-indigenous species introduced into Iberian freshwater and transitional watersPublication . Zamora-Marín, Jose M.; Ruiz-Navarro, Ana; Oficialdegui, Francisco J.; Anastácio, Pedro M.; Miranda, Rafael; García-Murillo, Pablo; Cobo, Fernando; Ribeiro, Filipe; Gallardo, Belinda; García-Berthou, Emili; Boix, Dani; Medina, Leopoldo; Morcillo, Felipe; Oscoz, Javier; Guillén, Antonio; Herrero-Reyes, Antonio A.; Aguiar, Francisca C.; Almeida, David; Arias, Andrés; Ayres, César; Banha, Filipe; Barca, Sandra; Biurrun, Idoia; Cabezas, M. Pilar; Calero, Sara; Campos, Juan A.; Capdevila-Argüelles, Laura; Capinha, César; Carapeto, André; Casals, Frederic; Chainho, Paula; Cirujano, Santos; Clavero, Miguel; Cuesta, Jose A.; Deltoro, Vicente; Encarnação, João; Fernández-Delgado, Carlos; Franco, Javier; García-Meseguer, Antonio J.; Guareschi, Simone; Guerrero-Gómez, Adrián; Hermoso, Virgilio; López-Cañizares, Celia; López-Soriano, Joaquín; Machordom, Annie; Martelo, Joana; Mellado-Díaz, Andrés; Moreno, Juan C.; Olivo del Amo, Rosa; Otero, J. Carlos; Perdices, Anabel; Pou-Rovira, Quim; Quiñonero-Salgado, Sergio; Rodríguez-Merino, Argantonio; Ros, Macarena; Sánchez-Gullón, Enrique; Sánchez, Marta I.; Sánchez-Fernández, David; Sánchez-González, Jorge R.; Soriano, Oscar; Teodosio, M A; Torralva, Mar; Vieira-Lanero, Rufino; Zamora-López, Antonio; Oliva-Paterna, Francisco J.Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), lead-ing to multi-faceted ecological, economic and health impacts worldwide. The Iberian Peninsula comprises an exceptionally biodiverse Mediterranean region with a high number of threatened and endemic aquatic species, most of them strongly impacted by biological invasions. Following a structured approach that combines a systematic review of available information and expert opinion, we provide a comprehensive and updated multi-taxa inventory of aquatic NIS (fungi, macroalgae, vascular plants, invertebrates and vertebrates) in Iberian inland waters. Moreover, we assess overall patterns in the establishment status, in-troduction pathways, native range and temporal introduction trends of listed NIS. In addition, we discuss the legal coverage provided by both national (Spanish and Portuguese) and European NIS regulations. We inventoried 326 aquatic NIS in Iberian inland waters, including 215 established, 96 with uncertain estab-lishment status and 15 cryptogenic taxa. Invertebrates (54.6%) and vertebrates (24.5%) were the groups with the highest number of NIS, with Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Chordata being the most represented phyla. Recorded NIS originated from diverse geographic regions, with North and South America being the most frequent. Vertebrates and vascular plants were mostly introduced through intentional pathways (i.e. release and escape), whereas invertebrates and macroalgae arrived mostly through unintentional ways (i.e. contaminant or stowaway). Most of the recorded NIS were introduced in Iberian inland waters over the second half of the 20th century, with a high number of NIS introductions being reported in the 2000s. While only 8% of the recorded NIS appear in the European Union list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, around 25% are listed in the Spanish and Portuguese NIS regulations. This study provides the most updated checklist of Iberian aquatic NIS, meeting the requirements set by the EU regulation and providing a baseline for the evaluation of its application. We point out the need for coordinated transna-tional strategies to properly tackle aquatic invasions across borders of the EU members.
- Recent and consecutive records of the Atlantic Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896): rapid westward expansion and confirmed establishment along the Southern Coast of PortugalPublication . Vasconcelos, Paulo; Carvalho, Andre N.; Pilo, David; Pereira, Fabio; Encarnação, João; Gaspar, Miguel; Teodosio, MariaThe present study reports six new and consecutive records of the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896) in the southern coast of Portugal. Specimens were caught during less than two months (22nd November 2018 - 18th January 2019) as bycatch of trammel nets operated by small-scale fishing boats in scattered locations along the Algarve coast and in the Ria Formosa lagoon. Four adult males (221-236 mm carapace width) and two adult females (191-207 mm carapace width) were caught at relatively shallow depths (1-6 m), on muddy and sandy bottoms in the Ria Formosa lagoon and in the Algarve coast. Morphometric parameters of the specimens are compiled and the respective occurrences are mapped for biogeographic purposes. These first three occurrences in the Algarve coast and the second, third and fourth records in the Ria Formosa lagoon, further supported by additional anecdotal evidences and recent sales at the wholesale market, reveal a rapid westward expansion and confirm the establishment of C. sapidus along the southern coast of Portugal. Possible sources of introduction and causes for the distributional expansion are evaluated. The potential impacts of this invasive species on local ecosystems and fishing/harvesting resources are discussed.
- Corrigendum to ‘a horizon scan exercise for aquatic invasive alien species in Iberian inland waters’Publication . Oficialdegui, Francisco J.; Zamora-Marín, José M.; Guareschi, Simone; Anastácio, Pedro M.; García-Murillo, Pablo; Ribeiro, Filipe; Miranda, Rafael; Cobo, Fernando; Gallardo, Belinda; García-Berthou, Emili; Boix, Dani; Arias, Andrés; Cuesta, Jose A.; Medina, Leopoldo; Almeida, David; Banha, Filipe; Barca, Sandra; Biurrun, Idoia; Cabezas, M. Pilar; Calero, Sara; Campos, Juan A.; Capdevila-Argüelles, Laura; Capinha, César; Casals, Frederic; Clavero, Miguel; Encarnação, João; Fernández-Delgado, Carlos; Franco, Javier; Guillén, Antonio; Hermoso, Virgilio; Machordom, Annie; Martelo, Joana; Mellado-Díaz, Andrés; Morcillo, Felipe; Oscoz, Javier; Perdices, Anabel; Pou-Rovira, Quim; Rodríguez-Merino, Argantonio; Ros, Macarena; Ruiz-Navarro, Ana; Sánchez, Marta I.; Sánchez-Fernández, David; Sánchez-González, Jorge R.; Sánchez-Gullón, Enrique; Teodosio, M A; Torralva, Mar; Vieira-Lanero, Rufino; Oliva-Paterna, Francisco J.
- New evidence of marine fauna tropicalization off the Southwestern Iberian Peninsula (Southwest Europe)Publication . Encarnação, João; Morais, Pedro; Baptista, Vânia; Cruz, Joana; Teodosio, MariaClimate change and the overall increase of seawater temperature are causing a poleward shift in species distribution, which includes a phenomenon described as the tropicalization of temperate regions. This work aims to report the first records of four species off the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, namely, the oceanic puffer Lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), the Madeira rockfish Scorpaena maderensis Valenciennes, 1833, the ornate wrasse Thalassoma pavo (Linnaeus, 1758), and the bearded fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Pallas, 1766). These last three species, along with other occurrences of aquatic fauna and flora along the Portuguese coast, reveal an ongoing process of poleward expansion of several species, which urgently necessitates a comprehensive survey along the entire Iberian Peninsula. The putative origins of these subtropical and tropical species off continental Portugal are discussed, as well as the potential public health problems that two of the four reported species may cause.
- New records of fish species from the coast of Luanda, AngolaPublication . Baptista, Vânia; Encarnação, João; Serrao, Ester; Wirtz, Peter; Barros, Lueji; Faria, Silvana; Teodosio, MAThe coastal waters of Angola support a rich and diverse fauna. However, the ichthyofauna of the region is poorly known; the only fish species studied in detail are those with commercial importance. The main objective of the present study is to report the presence of several fish species for the first time from the coast of Angola. The records were made during a survey in the coastal area of Luanda Island. Species were identified based on photographs taken during SCUBA diving surveys. In the present study, we report for the first time the occurrence of seven fish species in the Angolan region, belonging to six families: Pomacanthidae (Guinean angelfish Holacanthus africanus), Pomacentridae (African sergeant Abudefduf hoefleri), Labridae (Guinean rainbow wrasse Coris atlantica and Newton's wrasse Thalassoma newtoni), Scaridae (Guinean parrotfish Scarus hoefleri), Blenniidae (oyster blenny Hypleurochilus aequipinnis), and Tetraodontidae (sharpnose-puffer Canthigaster capistrata). These records from Luanda Island are the southernmost known for the species reported here.