Diversity, environmental requirements, and biogeography of bivalve wood-borers (Teredinidae) in European coastal waters.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bivalve teredinids inflict great destruction to wooden maritime structures. Yet no comprehensive study was ever carried out on these organisms in European coastal waters. Thus, the aims of this study were to: investigate the diversity of teredinids in European coastal waters; map their past and recent distributions to detect range expansion or contraction; determine salinity-temperature (S-T) requirements of species; flag, for future monitoring, the species that pose the greatest hazard for wooden structures.

Results

A total of nine teredinid species were found established in European coastal waters. Seven were considered cryptogenic, of unknown origin, and two were considered alien species. Teredo navalis and Nototeredo norvagica were the species with the widest

SUBMITTER: Borges LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3925441 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature