First record of the invasive Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia (Benson, 1842) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in West Africa

Researchers have documented the first occurrence of the invasive Asian date mussel, Arcuatula senhousia, in West Africa. A single live specimen was discovered on a mudflat near Bubaque Island in Guinea-Bissau's Bijagós Archipelago, marking an expansion of this species' range beyond its previously recorded distributions in North America, Oceania, and the Mediterranean. The finding raises concerns due to the ecological significance of the region, which serves as a critical wintering ground for shorebirds and supports local fisheries. Given the invasive nature of A. senhousia, further monitoring is recommended to determine if a self-sustaining population has established in the area.

Lourenço, P. M., Henriques, M., Catry, I., Granadeiro, J. P., & Catry, T. (2018). First record of the invasive Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia (Benson, 1842) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in West Africa. Journal of Natural History, 52(39-40), 2567–2571. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.1545058