A review of recent introductions of aquatic invertebrates in Puerto Rico and implications for the management of nonindigenous species

The Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia); Florida applesnail, Pomacea paludosa (Gastropoda); and Australian redclaw, Cherax quadricarinatus (Crus tacea) have recently become established or possibly established in Puerto R ico. The giant floater, Anodonta grandis (Bivalvia); giant freshwater prawn , Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Crustacea); and red swamp crawfish, Procambaru s clarkii (Crustacea), have been introduced but not released. This paper pr esents the history of these introductions, their potential ecological conse quences, and the loopholes that allowed each one to happen. Among the latte r were: the danger inherent in C. fluminea was apparently not advertised, v ery similar snails (P. paludosa and South American applesnails, Pomacea cum ingii) were not distinguished, existing enforcement systems were not design ed to prevent package-delivery shipments and mass shipments of C. quadricar inatus to individuals, and P. clarkii and A. grandis were introduced by the aquarium industry and transferred to aquaculture.