Historical invasions of the intertidal zone of Atlantic North America associated with distinctive patterns of trade and emigration.

ABSTRACT: Early invasions of the North American shore occurred mainly via deposition of ballast rock, which effectively transported pieces of the intertidal zone across the Atlantic. From 1773-1861, >880 European ships entered Pictou Harbor, Nova Scotia, as a result of emigration and trade from Europe. The rockweed Fucus serratus (1868) and the snail Littorina littorea ( approximately 1840) were found in Pictou during this same period. With shipping records (a proxy for propagule pressure) to guide sampling, we used F. serratus as a model to examine the introductions because of its relatively low genetic diversity and dispersal capability. Microsatellite markers and assignment tests revealed 2 introductions of the rockweed into Nova Scotia: 1 from Galway (Ireland) to Pictou and the other from Greeno

SUBMITTER: Brawley SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2677092 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature