Vectores, antigüedad y procedencia de las especies alóctonas de agua dulce naturalizadas en Galicia

Abstract

The arrival of many non-indigenous freshwater species to Galicia is relatively recent but, despite of this,many of them are causing extensive damage and even economic losses in some areas. The design of policies forprevention and management requires a good knowledge on the introduced species present in the region and inadjacent areas, as they can be a source for dispersion. This paper provides the updated list and the first record dates of non-indigenous freshwater species naturalized in the Iberian Peninsula with special emphasis on Galicia.For each species we provide the vector of introduction, its native region and current status of its populations.At present, 31 naturalized non-indigenous freshwater species are known to be present in Galician freshwaterecosystems, a figure that is lower than those reported for Spain (89 species) and Portugal (42 species). Amongthese 31 species, 19 have been cited in the lower section of the Miño River basin. Indeed, this area is probablyone of the main entry pathways of non-indigenous species to Galicia, since first records for the 37% of specieslisted in Galicia were recorded here. Although the total number of freshwater invasive species recorded in Galiciais lower than those recorded in other areas, the high conservation value of the flora and fauna of Galicianfreshwater ecosystems urges the design of management plans to prevent the proliferation of these species.