Barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia) of the estuarine and marine areas of the port of Recife (Pernambuco, Brazil)

This study aimed to survey barnacle species that occur in the estuarine and marine areas of Port of Recife, Northeast of Brazil and to characterize their ecological niche and assess to what extent exotic species have colonized since previous surveys. Sampling was undertaken in 2006-2007, from intertidal and shallow sublittoral. A total of 19 barnacle species was identified, being 12 from the estuarine area and 15 from the marine one, which 8 were found in both areas: Amphibalanus amphitrite, A. eburneus, A. improvisus, A. reticulatus, Balanus trigonus, Chthamalus bisinuatus, C proteus, and Tetraclita stalactifera. In relation to the invasive status, eight native species were identified, four cryptogenic species, and the remaining species were classified as exotic, including one potentially invasive, A. subalbidus and two invasive species, A. reticulatus and Striatobalanus amaryllis. Tetraclitella divisa is recorded for the fist time for the state of Pernambuco.