Barcodes of marine invertebrates from north Iberian ports: Native diversity and resistance to biological invasions

Abstract

Ports are gateways formanymarine organisms transported by ships worldwide, especially non-indigenous species (NIS). In this study carried out inNorth Iberian ports (Cantabrian Sea, Bay of Biscay)we have observed 38% of exotic macroinvertebrates. Four species, namely the barnacle Austrominiusmodestus, the tubewormFicopomatus enigmaticus, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas and the pygmymussel Xenostrobus securis, exhibited clear signs of invasiveness. A total of 671 barcode (cytochrome oxidase subunit I or 18S rRNA) genes were obtained and confirmed the species status of some crypticNIS.Negative and significant correlation between diversity estimators of native biota and proportion of NIS suggests biotic resistance in ports. This could be applied tomanagement of port biota for contributing to prevent the settlement of biopollutants in these areaswhich are very sensitive to biological invasions.