Marine macrofauna introduced on the coast of Ceará State, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The dispersion of marine species through ballast water and its sediments and by fouling on the hulls of ships or  structures and floating organisms has been reported by several authors in all oceans. The occurrence and distribution  of marine benthic macrofauna introduced on the coast of the state of Ceará were compiled through a literature review  and data of Biota Monitoring Program at the marine jetty of Pecém Harbor. 7 species of marine benthic invertebrates  introduced on the coast of the state of Ceará (were listed). The group with the largest number of species was the Mollusca  (Bivalvia, 3 species, Gastropoda, 1 specie), followed by the Arthropoda (Crustacea, 2 species) and Annelida (Polychaeta,  1 specie), distributed in different locations in 9 coastal municipalities. Concerning their origin, 3 species were included  in the generic category of exotic and 4 in the generic category of cryptogenic. According to the population situation, 2  exotic species were included in the specific category of detected in the natural environment and 1 in the specific category  of established. Among the species of bivalve mollusk  Heterodonax bimaculatus Linnaeus, 1758 is the first record for the  state of Ceará, extending its distribution along the Brazilian coast.