New records of invasive tubeworms (<i>Ficopomatus</i>, Serpulidae) in Mexico

Abstract Ficopomatus Southern, 1921 is a serpulid genus currently composed of six species, two which ( F. enigmaticus and miamiensis ) are reef-builders. The former has invaded subtropical warm-temperate estuaries worldwide, causing environmental economic harm. In this study, uschakovi reported from brackish-water coastal localities in both Atlantic Pacific sides Mexico, including Biosphere Reserve, estuaries, as well shrimp oyster farms. Veracruz (southern Gulf Mexico territory) Sinaloa California). for the first time southern (Mexico repeatedly recorded Chiapas Mexican Pacific). There no phenotypic differences between specimens coasts Mexico. Comparison mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) DNA sequences further support notion that type locality (Florida) also found along coast Morphological variability within single (either Laguna del Ostión or La Encrucijada) suggest potential presence multiple cryptic species. Molecular genetics studies needed to confirm taxonomic invasive status .