THE EXOTIC SPECIES Litopenaeus vannamei (BOONE, 1931) OCCURRENCE IN CANANEIA, IGUAPE AND ILHA COMPRIDA LAGOON ESTUARY COMPLEX

Exotic species are an exponential problem throughout the world, being one of the main causes of alterations both of the environment and of biodiversity. The introduction of exotic species is typically linked to activities of socioeconomic relevance. The consequences of such invasions have ecological, economic and sanitary components, and these components sometimes operate synergistically. The present study records the presence of Litopenaeus vannamei in several areas of CananDia, Iguape and Ilha Comprida estuary. A total of 109 samples taken with a gerival net were examined to evaluate the presence of L. vannamei as a bycatch of fishing activities seeking Farfantepenaeus paulensis, F. brasiliensis and Litopenaeus schmitti, between March 2005 and December 2013. Sixty-four individuals of L. vannamei were captured the size and weight of the smallest and the largest specimens of which were, respectively: 1.68 and 6.30 cm and 26.70 and 31.78 g. The data give no indication that L. vannamei is proliferating in the region to the point of being considered an invasive species nor that it is causing economic problems.