The spread of Aoroides longimerus Ren & Zheng, 1996 across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: genetic diversity, anthropogenic transport, and ecological implications

Accurate knowledge of the global distribution of non-indigenous species (NIS) is essential for understanding their invasion dynamics and for implementing timely management measures. This study reports the first records of the marine amphipod Aoroides longimerus, putatively native to the East Asian coast, in Italy (2018), Spain (2019) and Tunisia (2022) and provides the earliest documented record of the species in its introduced European range (Portugal, 2011). Furthermore, it expands the species’ known distribution in mainland Portugal (including the northernmost record), Macaronesia (with first records in the Canary Islands and Madeira), and confirms its presence along the Atlantic coasts of France and the Netherlands. Aquaculture facilities, particularly those associated with oyster farming, are probably the primary vector of introduction, while recreational boating may have contributed significantly to secondary dispersal. In comparison to other exotic amphipods, A. longimerus remains absent from many marinas, ports and/or aquaculture facilities in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent regions, such as the Red Sea. This suggests that the species may still be in the early stages of expansion, or that its dispersal ability across marinas and ports is more limited than that of other amphipods. The present study, however, highlights several key ecological traits of A. longimerus: (i) it can survive year-round despite seasonal fluctuations, and reach high local densities, (ii) it exhibits strong colonisation capacity, as shown by its rapid establishment on settlement plates, and (iii) it displays opportunistic feeding behaviour, primarily consuming detritus. These characteristics underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and effective communication with stakeholders to prevent further expansion of this species.

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Journal
Mediterranean Marine Science
Published
2025-10-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.41784
Primary Topic
Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
Type
article
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article

The spread of Aoroides longimerus Ren & Zheng, 1996 across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: genetic diversity, anthropogenic transport, and ecological implications

Angelo Poliseno, Victoria Fernández-González, Frédérique Viard, Francesco Tiralongo et al.
Mediterranean Marine Science
Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
article

The spread of Aoroides longimerus Ren & Zheng, 1996 across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: genetic diversity, anthropogenic transport, and ecological implications

Angelo Poliseno, Victoria Fernández-González, Frédérique Viard, Francesco Tiralongo, Giuliano Reis, Giorgos Chatzigeorgiou, Sahar Chebaane, Pablo Saenz-Arias, Benoît Gouillieux, Paula Chaínho, Eva Aylagas, Morgane Le Moal, Patrício Ramalhosa, Serena Mucciolo, Mathilde Charbonnelle, Lauren Hughes, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Wanda Plaitis, Ferdinand Schlicklin, Hiroyuki Ariyama, Inmaculada Frutos, Carlos Navarro‐Barranco, Andrea Desiderato, Sandra Navarro‐Mayoral, Jasmine Ferrario, Jean‐Philippe Pezy, Andrea Bonifazi, Thomas Burel, Sofia Duarte, Jean–Claude Dauvin, Susana Carvalho, Triana Revanales, Celia Olabarría, Adriaan Gittenberger, Jean‐Charles Leclerc, Eva Cacabelos, Jesus Souza Troncoso, Ignácio Gestoso, João Canning‐Clode, Agnese Marchini, M. Pilar Cabezas, Maria Lampa, Gemma Martínez-Laiz, Sílvia de Juan, Nawfel Mosbahi, Céline Houbin, Emanuele Mancini, Romeu S. Ribeiro, Sonia Díaz-Vergara, Sofía Ruiz-Velasco, Yanrong Wang, Cristina Espírito Santo, Éric Thiébaut, Vincent Le Garrec, Aurore Raoux, José M. Guerra‐García, MACARENA ROS, Iván Afonso, Jairo Pinheiro, PAULA MORETTI
article en

Abstract

Accurate knowledge of the global distribution of non-indigenous species (NIS) is essential for understanding their invasion dynamics and for implementing timely management measures. This study reports the first records of the marine amphipod Aoroides longimerus, putatively native to the East Asian coast, in Italy (2018), Spain (2019) and Tunisia (2022) and provides the earliest documented record of the species in its introduced European range (Portugal, 2011). Furthermore, it expands the species’ known distribution in mainland Portugal (including the northernmost record), Macaronesia (with first records in the Canary Islands and Madeira), and confirms its presence along the Atlantic coasts of France and the Netherlands. Aquaculture facilities, particularly those associated with oyster farming, are probably the primary vector of introduction, while recreational boating may have contributed significantly to secondary dispersal. In comparison to other exotic amphipods, A. longimerus remains absent from many marinas, ports and/or aquaculture facilities in the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent regions, such as the Red Sea. This suggests that the species may still be in the early stages of expansion, or that its dispersal ability across marinas and ports is more limited than that of other amphipods. The present study, however, highlights several key ecological traits of A. longimerus: (i) it can survive year-round despite seasonal fluctuations, and reach high local densities, (ii) it exhibits strong colonisation capacity, as shown by its rapid establishment on settlement plates, and (iii) it displays opportunistic feeding behaviour, primarily consuming detritus. These characteristics underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and effective communication with stakeholders to prevent further expansion of this species.

Mediterranean Marine ScienceVol. 26(4)
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ES), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of Alicante (ES), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR), Natural History Museum (GB), University of Lisbon (PT), University of Sfax (TN), University of Salento (IT), Université de Bordeaux (FR), Ifremer (FR), École Pratique des Hautes Études (FR), Université de Bretagne Occidentale (FR), University of Monastir (TN), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR), Université de Montpellier (FR), University of Évora (PT), University of Pavia (IT), Madeira Tecnopolo (PT), Station Biologique de Roscoff (FR), University of Łódź (PL), University of Catania (IT), Sorbonne Université (FR), Osaka Museum of Natural History (JP), Continental (France) (FR), Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (FR), Universidade Politécnica de Setúbal (PT), Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (FR), Normandie Université (FR), Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (FR), Ambiente Italia (Italy) (IT), Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin (FR), Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (GR), Hospital Universitario Puerto Real (ES), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (FR), Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux (FR), Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (FR), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), Universidade de Vigo (ES), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (SA), Universidad de Sevilla (ES), Université de Caen Normandie (FR), University of Minho (PT)
European Commission, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Agence de l'Eau Seine-Normandie, Junta de Andalucía, Région Normandie, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, European Regional Development Fund
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
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