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

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