First record of introduction of metacarcinus magister dana, 1852 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Cancridae) and range extension of Eriocheir sinensis Milne-Edwards, 1853 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Varunidae) in the long Island sound

Abstract

Invasive crustacean species have been present in the Long Island Sound, northwestern Atlantic Ocean, for over two centuries. Three new records of introduction are recorded here from collections by local fishermen. Two records are for male Dungeness crabs, Metacarcinus magister (Dana, 1852), collected in the Western Long Island Sound (2017) and Cape Cod Bay (2018). The other record is that of a range extension documented by a single male Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (Milne-Edwards, 1853), found in New Haven Harbor, Connecticut. Both species could potentially harbor nonnative epibionts and endoparasites. Additionally, E. sinensis may be more likely to establish, as it has in numerous locations in the region and worldwide.