Invasive Species

1. Invasive Species Mrs. Brostrom Oceanography

2. Non-native Species • Invasive species are those that are alien to the ecosystem that they have been introduced into • likely to cause harm to the environment or human health • exhibit an aggressive growth habits • can out-compete and displace native species

3. Zebra mussels Eurasian water milfoil

4. Phragmitesaustralis Common reed, stout grass Description: Stalks reach heights of 6-12 feet; color of inflorescence is purple to light brown. Found at edges of marshy areas, both fresh and brackish water, along roadsides, or in open disturbed areas Pathway: natural immigration Current Distribution: Found in all of the New England states; native to some parts of the U.S.; has been in New England for at least 4000 years. Non-native strains were also introduced and are believed to be the ones with the invasive tendencies. Impact: Forms huge monocultures that exclude native species

5. Littorinalittorea Common periwinkle Description: gastropod mollusk found on intertidal rocks; brown, black, or grey in color; reaches up to 3 cm; herbivore; also known as European periwinkle Pathway: introduced via ballast, rocks, or intentionally as food; introduced to eastern Canada in early 1800s, reached Cape Cod to Long Island Sound by 1870s Current Distribution: Labrador to Virginia Impact: one of most dominant intertidal omnivores, particularly on rocky shores; competes with native Littorina species; densities can reach 1,000 per square meter; grazes on algae

6. Hemigrapsussanguineus Asian shore crab Description: also known as Japanese shore crab; reaches 7-8 cm, brown striped legs with red spots on claws, with three spines on either side of carapace Pathway: introduced from Asia to eastern seaboard most likely by ballast water; discovered in New Jersey in 1988; spread north and south; reported in Long Island Sound in 1993 Current Distribution: Maine to North Carolina; prefers rocky cobble Impact: dominant rocky intertidal crab; consumes juvenile mussels and oysters, green crabs, snails, polychaetes, algae, hydroids, barnacles

7. Codium fragile ssp. fragile Dead man's fingers Description: also known as oyster thief, green fleece, Sputnick weed; branching green algae with spongey fingers, can reach a meter tall Pathway: introduced from Asia; appeared in New England waters coincidentally with launch of world's first satellites, Sputnik I and II, by former Soviet Union in 1957; probably came attached on hulls of ships via Europe Current Distribution: New Brunswick to North Carolina Impact: forms extensive beds in shallow bays and harbors; called "oyster thief" or "scallop thief" because holdfast grew around oyster or scallop, then as algae grew, became buoyant and drifted off with shellfish attached

8. Pteroisvolitans Lionfish Description: also known as zebrafish or turkeyfish; one of several species of venomous coral reef fishes; striking reddish-brown striped pattern on body and fins Pathway: native to Indian and Pacific Oceans; introductions likely the result of intentional or unintentional releases by aquarists; reported in LIS (1999) Current Distribution: Florida to Long Island Sound; seasonal invader of eastern Long Island Sound; comes in with warm core rings of water that break off from Gulf Stream; first observed by divers in Florida in 1994 Impact: venomous; no natural predator

9. Prevention • Before leaving a boat launch practice the Clean, Drain, Dry technique. • Inspect and remove all visible plant, fish, and animals as well as mud or other debris at the launch. Do not transport them home. • Eliminate all water from every conceivable space and item before you leave the area you are visiting.  • Dry Equipment, if possible, allow for 5 days of drying time before entering new waters. • You can be fined $95 per violation

10. Invasive Species Essay • You will prepare a written case study on an invasive aquatic species. • The report should include the • native location of the species • how it was introduced to the ecosystem • where it became invasive • what impacts are associated with the invasive species • what control measures are possible. • The Essay should be no longer than two pages double spaced but should be long enough to include all of the above information. • Do not forget to cite your sources in MLA format.

11. Choices of Invasive Species Protista Whirling Disease (Myxoboluscerebralis) Rock Snot (Didymospheniageminata Algae Mediterranean Clone of Caulerpa (Caulerpataxifolia) Seed Plants Brazilian Waterweed (Egeriadensa) Common Reed (Phragmitesaustralis) Eurasian Water-milfoil (Myriophyllumspicatum) Giant Hogweed (Heracleummantegazzianum) Giant Reed (Arundodonax) Giant Salvinia (Salviniamolesta) Hydrilla (Hydrillaverticillata) Melaleuca (Melaleucaquinquenervia) Purple Loosestrife (Lythrumsalicaria) Water Chestnut (Trapanatans) Water Hyacinth (Eichhorniacrassipes) Invertebrates European Green Crab (Carcinusmaenas) Zebra Mussel (Dreissenapolymorpha) Fishes Lionfish (Pteroisvolitans) Sea Lamprey (Petromyzonmarinus) Arthropod Asian Shore Crab Amphibians North American Bullfrog (Ranacatesbeiana) Mammals Nutria (Myocastor coypus)