Association of the global invader Carcinus maenas to intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats of Patagonia

BARÓN, PEDRO J.; HIDALGO, FERNANDO J.; PACCOTTI, VANESA; RAPOSO, PABLO; GAVIO MARÍA A.; BAZTERRICA, MARÍA C.; DELLATORRE, FERNANDO G.; CARRASCO, MAURO F

Mar del Plata

Conferencia; 2nd BIOLIEF; 2011

Grupo de Investigación y Educación en Temas Ambientales

Carcinus maenas is a NIS expanding its distribution along the coastlines of many world regions. The types of habitat occupied by the species are diverse, both within and between native and invaded ranges of distribution, but presence and abundance seem to be influenced mainly by: 1) bottom structure, 2) degree of exposure to breaking waves, and 3) biotic interactions with the native community. The aim of the present work is to report the range of distribution of C. maenas along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia, its expansion rate, patterns of relative abundance and habitats occupied. Surveys were conducted in 2004-2011, covering the coastline of continent and islands from 43°49’S to 51°36’S. At each sampling location, crabs were trapped and hand collected. Also, geomorphological characteristics, topographic profile, dominating substrate facie and biotic coverage and level in the intertidal were recorded. Wave exposure indices were calculated for each site as function of the average wave fetch and average wind energy. The geographical range of distribution recorded for C. maenas in Patagonia extends 800 km from 44º30’ to 47°. The species is present in a varied repertory of coastline forms, from embayments to headlands, with contrasting geomorphological characteristics (e.g., intertidal sanstone bedrocks, gentle slope muddy bottoms covered by rocks and cobble). Highest relative abundances are found on the southern margins of San Jorge gulf. Range expansion during the last 5 years was only 50km. In contrast to other invaded regions, in Patagonia the species is adapted relatively high levels of wave exposure. is a NIS expanding its distribution along the coastlines of many world regions. The types of habitat occupied by the species are diverse, both within and between native and invaded ranges of distribution, but presence and abundance seem to be influenced mainly by: 1) bottom structure, 2) degree of exposure to breaking waves, and 3) biotic interactions with the native community. The aim of the present work is to report the range of distribution of C. maenas along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia, its expansion rate, patterns of relative abundance and habitats occupied. Surveys were conducted in 2004-2011, covering the coastline of continent and islands from 43°49’S to 51°36’S. At each sampling location, crabs were trapped and hand collected. Also, geomorphological characteristics, topographic profile, dominating substrate facie and biotic coverage and level in the intertidal were recorded. Wave exposure indices were calculated for each site as function of the average wave fetch and average wind energy. The geographical range of distribution recorded for C. maenas in Patagonia extends 800 km from 44º30’ to 47°. The species is present in a varied repertory of coastline forms, from embayments to headlands, with contrasting geomorphological characteristics (e.g., intertidal sanstone bedrocks, gentle slope muddy bottoms covered by rocks and cobble). Highest relative abundances are found on the southern margins of San Jorge gulf. Range expansion during the last 5 years was only 50km. In contrast to other invaded regions, in Patagonia the species is adapted relatively high levels of wave exposure.