Engel L. auteur aut IRD Premathilake L. auteur aut IRD Barrier Nicolas auteur aut IRD Khangaonkar T. auteur aut IRD Garavelli L. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access The presence of invasive species is a growing concern in coastal marine ecosystems because of their adverse effects on biodiversity. The European green crab Carcinus maenas (EGC) is a small crab inhabiting inshore areas. Although it is native to the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea, its distribution has expanded to North America, where it is an invasive species. Its main food sources are small invertebrate species that support valuable fisheries in the USA. The first presence of EGC in northern Washington was observed around 20 yr ago, along the Pacific Coast of the USA. Recently, EGC has been detected throughout the Salish Sea (Washington, USA, and British Columbia, Canada) wherein spread dynamics are unknown. The overall distribution of EGC is mainly driven by larval dispersal and, in the Salish Sea and surrounding waters, the assessment of EGC population dynamics is essential to understand its migration patterns and prevent its future expansion. To investigate the dispersal patterns of EGC larvae, a larval dispersal model was developed which couples a regional model of hydrodynamic circulation with an individual-based model of ichthyoplankton dynamics. Simulations were performed over 9 yr (2013-2022) to analyze average larval transport trends in the Salish Sea and surrounding waters, interannual variability of EGC larval connectivity, and the influence of larval behavior on connectivity patterns. Lastly, areas were identified to inform invasive species management moving forward. The prediction of likely sources and settlement locations of EGC larvae from the model will help improve the management of the population in the Salish Sea and surrounding waters. specialized Larval connectivity Invasive species Physical-biological interactions Biophysical modeling ETATS UNIS CANADA WASHINGTON COLUMBIE BRITANIQUE PACIFIQUE NORD SALISH MER 036 034 754 77-92 2025 0171-8630 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092788 10.3354/meps14778 0171-8630 [F B010092788] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092788 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-04/010092788.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-04-02 2025-04-02 fdi:010092788 fre