琉球列島における外来種ホンダワラコケムシAmathia verticillata（delle Chiaje, 1822) ( 苔虫動物門: 櫛口目) の初報告

The marine bryozoan Amathia verticillata (delle Chiaje, 1822) is recorded for the first time at two sites around Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. In other locations in Japan, Amathia verticillata is a major fouling organism that can have negative ecological and economic effects as an introduced species. It is highly likely that A. verticillata spreads via boat traffic, and the dispersal pattern of A. verticillata emphasizes the need for regular introduced species monitoring of boat traffic. For conservation of the unique coral reef marine biodiversity of the Ryukyu Islands, efforts should be made to limit the introduction of such introduced species. Such efforts should include the creation of more taxonomically diverse reference collections (including Bryozoa) in order to help conduct effective and regular monitoring throughout the region.