New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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First records of the Australian blenny, Omobranchus anolius, from New Zealand

Malcolm P. Francis
Peter J. Smith

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
Private Bag 14 901
Wellington, New Zealand
email: m.francis@niwa.co.nz

Cameron Walsh

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
P.O. Box 109 695
Auckland, New Zealand

Martin F. Gomon

Museum Victoria
G.P.O. Box 666E
Melbourne
Victoria 3001, Australia

Abstract  Twenty-four blennies collected in east Auckland, New Zealand, were identified as the Australian oyster blenny, Omobranchus anolius using taxonomic and molecular characters. This species appears to have been introduced recently to New Zealand. Auckland oyster blennies mainly inhabited dead oyster shells in water pooled under intertidal boulders on mudflats. Specimens ranged from small juveniles to large mature males, suggesting that the species is breeding in New Zealand, or that there have been multiple incursion events. Oyster blennies may be capable of colonising estuaries throughout the northern North Island, and possibly farther south. Control or eradication of O. anolius would be facilitated by its intertidal habitat, lack of an escape response when found, and the very limited movement and natural dispersal of adults and larvae.

Keywords  Omobranchus anolius; blenny; invasion; biosecurity; mitochondrial DNA

M04062; Received 26 March 2004, accepted 18 May 2004; Online publication date 5 August 2004
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2004, Vol. 38: 671-679
0028-8330/04/3804-0671 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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