Date of the first record

The date of the first documented record of the species occurrence in a country/country region.
Date fields usage example:

Date to be specifiedDate FromDate To
Exact 198519851985
18th century17011800
before 1700 1700
after 20012001 

Environmental position

Environment(s) occupied by a species throughout its life cycle.

OPTIONS:

Biofouling. Assemblage of organisms on wetted artificial substrates.

Commensal. An organism in a symbiotic relationship, in which one benefits while the other is not adversely affected.

Demersal. Synonyms: hyperbenthic, benthopelagic, nektobenthic. An organism living at, in or near the bottom of the sea, but having the ability to swim.

Ectoparasite. A parasite living on the surface of its host.

Endoparasite. A parasite living within the organs or tissues of its host.

Epifaunal. Synonym: epibenthic. An animal inhabiting the surface of the seabed, submerged plants and animals.

Epilithic. An organism living on the surface of rock or other hard inorganic substrata.

Epiphytic. An organism living on the surface of a plant, non-parasitic.

Epizoic. An organism living on the surface of an animal, non-parasitic.

Infaunal. Synonym: endobenthic. An animal living within the seabed sediments.

Interstitial. An organism (< 1 mm) living in the spaces between sediment particles.

Lithotomous. An organism burrowing into rock.

Neustonic. An organism living on (epineuston) or under (hyponeuston) the surface film of water bodies.

Pelagic. An organism inhabiting the water column.

Pleustonic. An organism inhabiting the water surface due to their own buoyancy, normally positioned partly in the water and partly in the air.

Habitat type

Estuary. River mouth, transition zone between riverine and marine environments, subject to influences from both.

Lagoon. Shallow, enclosed water body separated from the sea by barrier islands, narrow spit or reefs.

Offshore. Areas located at least 50 nautical miles from the shore.

Open coast. A coast not sheltered from the sea.

Strait/Sound. Channels between the mainland and an island or between two islands which are open at both ends to the open coast (it does not refer to similar features or narrows within marine inlets).

Sheltered coastal area. Coastal area partly surrounded by land (e.g., bay, inlet, fjord).

Ports. A location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbours where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land.

Port vicinity. The area near a port where ballast water operations may occur, including areas where vessels may conduct ballast water discharge or uptake operations when approaching a port or leaving it, e.g., port approaches, anchorage areas and designated ballast water exchange areas. The dimension is port specific.

Marina. A specially designed harbour for pleasure craft and small boats.

Aquaculture sites. Areas set out for the purpose of farming aquatic organisms.

Marine Protected Area (MPA). Defined marine area where natural resources are given greater protection than the surrounding waters. Different categories exist depending on the level of protection afforded by legislation.

Migration pattern

Diurnal. Movements between alternative habitats over day and night, e.g. vertical migration.

Life-time. One time migration between different habitats during the life cycle, e.g. anadromus migration.

Not relevant. No evidence of any life history cycle stages to migrate.

Seasonal. Movements between alternative habitats during a specific time of a year (e.g., spawning and feeding migrations).

Pathway / Vector

Pathway

A pathway is the route a NIS takes to enter or spread through a non-native ecosystem e.g. vessels. Each pathway may have a number of vectors.

Vector

A vector is a transfer mechanism and is the physical means by which species are transported from one geographic region to another. More than one vector within a pathway may be involved in a transfer of species.

Pathways and vectors included:
PathwayVector
Aquarium tradeIntentional organism release
Transported water
Waste discharge
Culture activitiesAquaculture equipment
Associated water & packaging material
Intercontinental stock movement
Regional stock movement
Unintentional release & escapees
Leisure activitiesAngling catch
Cultural releases
Live bait
Live souvenirs
Sport equipment
Stocking for angling
Waste discharge
Live food tradeIntentional organism release
Transported water
Waste discharge
ManagementBiological habitat management
Construction equipment
Construction materials
Release for biological control
Natural spread from neighboring countriesOther natural vectors
Water currents
Other canalsCanal de Midi (linking the Bay of Biscay with the Mediterranean Sea)
Kiel Canal (linking the North Sea with the Baltic)
Northern waterway (linking the Baltic with the Ponto-Caspian region through Volga river canal system)
Rhone waterway (linking the North Sea with the Mediterranean)
Southern waterway (linking the North Sea with the Black Sea through Danube river canal system)
Central waterway (linking the Baltic Sea with the Black Sea through the Dnieper river canal system)
Other waterways
Irrigation canals
Research and educationGear movement
Intentional releases
Unintentional release & escapees
Waste discharge
Suez Canal 
VesselsAnchor and anchor chain
Ballast tank sediments
Ballast water
Ship’s hull
Sea chest
Others
Wild fisheriesDiscard of by-catch
Fishing gear
Live bait release
Live packaging material
Processed live material
Stock movements
Transported water

Pathway / Vector – Levels of certainty:
LevelCriteriaExamples
Direct evidenceThe species was actually found associated with the specific vector(s) of a pathway at the time of introduction to a particular locality within a country/country region.Documented evidence of an introduction: release to the wild for stocking or biological control; escape/release of live food; import of cultured species and documented findings of their associate organisms, parasites and diseases on transmission; appearance of organisms by hull fouling, ballast water discharge sampling or other ship vectors documented upon an arrival with appropriate scientific methods.
Very likelyThe species appears for the first time in a locality where a single pathway/vector(s) is known to operate and where there is no other explanation that can be argued for its presence except by this likely pathway/vector(s).A highly localized distribution of a species in an area adjacent to an isolated port or other locality where the only pathway is vessels and its vector(s) (ballast water, hull fouling, etc). This often involves geographically discontinuous distributions. It may be a continuous spread as in case of introduction by canals or by natural means. The conclusion is deduced from the analysis of the invasion event and species distribution patterns.
PossibleThe species cannot be convincingly ascribed to a single pathway, but is known to be introduced by this pathway(s) elsewhere.There may be more than one pathway involved in the introduction within a country/country region. Arrival of a species known to have taken place elsewhere by the same pathway(s) which operates in an area. A conclusion is made by expert judgment based on pathways currently or historically present.
UnknownInvasion of a given alien species cannot be clearly explained.Where no rational explanation for the appearance of a species in a given country/region.

Population status

Population status (the lowest level of certainty):

Unknown. There is no reliable information on population status of a species.
Established. A species is known to form a reproducing population in a wild.
Not established. There is no evidence of a species’ reproducing population in a wild.

Population status (the moderate level of certainty):
Extinct/no recent record. There are old records where a species was recorded but have not been seen in the same region since.
Rare/single record. There are only casual observations or a single record of a species'presence available.
Common. A species with successfully reproducing populations in an open ecosystem, which are unlikely to be eliminated by man or natural causes. Not dominating native communities.
Abundant. A species with successfully reproducing populations in an open ecosystem, which are unlikely to be eliminated by man or natural causes. Locally dominating native communities.
Very abundant. A species with successfully reproducing populations in an open ecosystem, which are unlikely to be eliminated by man or natural causes. Largely dominating native communities.
Outbreak. A species undergoing pulse-like, short-term (days to few months) exponential population growth during which they have an adverse effect on one or more of the following: biological diversity, ecosystem functioning, socio-economic values and human health.

Recipient region

The country/region for which introduction is recorded.

References.



References should follow the standard of Biological invasions:


Journal article
Gamelin FX, Baquet G, Berthoin S, Thevenet D, Nourry C, Nottin S, Bosquet L (2009) Effect of high intensity intermittent training on heart rate variability in prepubescent children. Eur J Appl Physiol 105:731-738. doi: 10.1007/s00421-008-0955-8
Ideally, the names of all authors should be provided, but the usage of “et al” in long author lists will also be accepted:
Smith J, Jones M Jr, Houghton L et al (1999) Future of health insurance. N Engl J Med 965:325–329


Article by DOI


Slifka MK, Whitton JL (2000) Clinical implications of dysregulated cytokine production. J Mol Med. doi:10.1007/s001090000086


Book
South J, Blass B (2001) The future of modern genomics. Blackwell, London


Book chapter
Brown B, Aaron M (2001) The politics of nature. In: Smith J (ed) The rise of modern genomics, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York, pp 230-257


Online document
Cartwright J (2007) Big stars have weather too. IOP Publishing PhysicsWeb. http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/11/6/16/1. Accessed 26 June 2007


Dissertation
Trent JW (1975) Experimental acute renal failure. Dissertation, University of California

Reproductive duration

Long. Breeds in one or more discrete periods, each longer than three months.

Medium. Breeds in one or more discrete periods, each longer than a week and less than three months.

Short. Breeds in one or more discrete periods within a week.

Reproductive seasonality

Months for a species known to reproduce in the invaded site.

Salinity range

The exact salinity range if known (psu), else salinity zone(s) according to the Venice system:
1. Limnetic [<0.5psu]
2. β-Oligohaline [0.5-3psu]
3. α-Oligohaline [3-5psu]
4. β-Mesohaline [5-10psu]
5. α-Mesohaline [10-18psu]
6. Polymixohaline [18-30psu]
7. Euhaline [30-40psu]
8. Hypersaline [>40psu]

Source region

The area the species was introduced from to the recipient country/country region. Depending on the information availability may be ascribed to a particular locality (e.g. port), a country, a LME or a larger Ocean region.
CAUTION: in many cases the source area will be not the same as the area of native origin which is defined in the SPECIES block of the database.

Species status

Non-indigenous species. Non-indigenous species (synonyms: alien, exotic, non-native, allochthonous, introduced) are species, subspecies or lower taxa (such as a variety, form) introduced outside of their natural range (past or present) and outside of their natural dispersal potential. This includes any propagule of a NIS, such as a gamete, seed or resting spore, a gravid female or a pair of individuals of different sexes (in sexual reproduction), or a vegetative reproductive organ and section of tissue (in asexual reproduction), which might survive, reproduce and subsequently form a population. It also includes hybrids between an alien species and an indigenous species, fertile polyploid organisms and artificially hybridized species irrespective of their natural range or dispersal potential.

Cryptogenic. Cryptogenic species are such species which cannot be reliably demonstrated as being either introduced or native. In some cases the true origin of a species remains obscure because of either insufficient taxonomic knowledge or due to a lack of records from the time they became introduced, or for other reasons.

Temperature range

Indicate min. and max. annual temperature range in the area where a species is known to maintain an established (reproducing) population.

Wave exposure

Exposed. Open coastline facing prevailing wind and receiving both wind-driven waves and swell.

Semi exposed. Generally open coasts facing away from prevailing winds or sheltered by offshore reefs/structures.

Sheltered. Coasts with a restricted fetch (<20 km) and lacking persistent swell.

Zonation

Ecological zone(s) occupied by a species throughout its life cycle.

Benthic - Bathyal. Synonym: continental slope. The seafloor between the edge of the continental shelf and abyssal plain (200-4000 m).

Benthic - Littoral. Synonym: intertidal. The shore between the high and low water marks.

Benthic - Sublittoral beyond photic zone. Synonym: lower circalittoral. The lower part of the continental shelf, where photosynthesis cannot take place.

Benthic - Sublittoral within photic zone. Synonyms: subtidal, infralittoral. The shallow part of sublittoral where photosynthesis can occur.

Benthic - Supralittoral. Synonyms: splash zone, spray zone, supratidal zone. The area above the spring high tide line, subject spray or splash.

Pelagic - Littoral. Water mass within littoral zone.

Pelagic - Neritic. Water mass above the continental shelf.

Pelagic - Offshore. Synonym: oceanic. Water mass beyond the continental shelf.

Public domain: Introduction event account

Species Marenzelleria viridis  
Date of the first record (?) 1982

References (not structured):
McLusky, D.S., Hull, S.C., & Elliott, M. 1993. Variations in the intertidal and subtidal
macrofauna and sediments along a salinity gradient in the upper Forth estuary. Netherlands
Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 27: 101-109.
Elliot M & P.F. Kingstone (1987). The sublittoral benthic fauna of the estuary and Firth of Forth, Scotland. Proc.
Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 93B: 449-465.
Atkins, S.M., Jones, A.M. & Garwood, P.R. 1987. The ecology and reproductive cycle of a
population of Marenzelleria viridis (Annelida: Polychaeta: Spionidae) in the Tay Estuary.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 92B: 311-322.
Zettler M.L. (1997b). Bibliography on the genus Marenzelleria and its geographical distribution, principal topics and
nomenclature. Aquat. Ecol. 31: 233-258.
Bick, A. & R. Burkhardt (1989). Erstnachweis von Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta, Spionidae) für den Ostseeraum,
mit einem Bestimmungsschlüssel der Spioniden der Ostsee. Mitt Zool Mus Berlin 65: 237-247.
Essink K (1999) Dispersal and development of Marenzellaria spp. (Polychaeta, Spionidae) populations in NW Europe and the Netherlands. Helgolander Meeresunters. 52: 367-372.
Harrald M, Davies I (2009) An assessement of the MSFD pressures and impacts that are particularly relevant to the Scottish marine environment and their regulation to qualitative sdescriptors when determining environmental status for these waters. Fisheries Research services Internal report 04/09. 30pp. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Uploads/Documents/Int0409.pdf [12 March 2013]

Comments:
First recorded in the Firth of Forth and subequently in 1984 in the Firth of Tay (as M. viridis). It subsequently was found in the Humber in 1987. It is thought that the British populations evolved from the Firth of Forth population. Subsequent studies by Essink (1999) indicate that the species may actually be M. wireni. However, the species is referred to as M. viridis by Harrald and Davies (2009) and so verification is needed.
Recipient region (?) Country: United Kingdom (Britain)
LME: 22. North Sea
Source region (?) LME: 7. Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf
--> LME sub-region: Chesapeake Bay
--> LME sub-region: North-west Atlantic

References (not structured):
Röhner M., Bastrop R. & K. Jürss (1996). Colonization of Europe by two American genetic types or species of the
Marenzelleria (Polychaeta: Spionidae). An electrophoretic analysis of allozymes. Mar. Biol. 127: 277-287.

Comments:
Species is native to the NE Atlantic in and it is thought the species is from Chesapeake Bay.
Pathway / Vector (?) Level of certainty: Possible

Pathway: Vessels
Vector: Ballast water

References (not structured):
Bastrop R., Röhner M., Sturmbauer C. & K. Jürss (1997). Where did Marenzelleria spp. (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in
Europe come from? Aquat. Ecol. 31 (2): 119-136.
Daunys, D.; Zettler, M.L.; Gollasch, S. (1999). Marenzelleria cf. viridis (Verrill, 1873) Annelida, Polychaeta, Spionidae, in: Gollasch, S. et al. (Ed.) (1999). Exotics across the ocean. Case histories on introduced species: their general biology, distribution, range expansion and impact: prepared by Members of the European Union Concerted Action on testing monitoring systems for risk assessment of harmful introductions by ships to European waters (MAS-CT-97-0111). pp. 61-67

Comments:
Larval stages occur in the water column and adults with ripe eggs have been found off the bottom at night within their native range. Due to the relative isolation within estuaries on account of its restriction to relatively low salinities it is thought to have been introduced with ships' ballast water
Habitat type (?) Estuary

References (not structured):
Schiedek D. (1999). Ecophysiological capability of Marenzelleria populations inhabiting North Sea estuaries: an
overview. Helgol. Meereseunters. 52: 373-382.

Comments:
Occurs in the lower salinity range of estuaries and in salt marshes where they can attain high densities of >50,000 /m2.
Wave exposure (?) Sheltered
Salinity range (?) Exact range: 3 - 20

References (not structured):
Williams DJ, West JR 1975. Salinity distribution in the Tay Estuary. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Edinburgh 75B: 29-39.
Richard D. (1995). Rezistanzökologische Untersuchungen an Marenzelleria viridis (Verrill, 1873) (Polychaeta:
Spionidae). Diplom Univ. Rostock, 135 pp.
Sarda , R., Valiela, I., & Foreman, K. 1995. Life cycle, demography, and production of
Marenzelleria viridis in a salt marsh of southern New England. Journal of the Marine
Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 75: 725-739.

Comments:
This data is based on its tolerance to low salinities in the south of Britain in salt marshes and also the range of salinities in the Tay.
Temperature range (?) Not entered
Zonation / Substratum (?) Benthic and Pelagic:
Littoral (Benthic)
Littoral (Pelagic)
Sublittoral within photic zone
Substratum:
Soft (mud to pebbles)

References (not structured):
Sarda , R., Valiela, I., & Foreman, K. 1995. Life cycle, demography, and production of Marenzelleria viridis in a salt marsh of southern New England. Journal of the Marine
Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 75: 725-739.

Comments:
An infaunal species producing mucus lined burrows in muddy to sandy substrata occurring in upper reaches of estauaries and in salt marshes. Larvae have a pelagic stage. Mature adults are known to swim nocturnally within the water column. In the Baltic Sea it is known to 55m but these depths are unlikely to be colonised on the British coast at these depths where salinities lie outside of their tolerance range.
Reproductive duration (?)Unknown
Reproductive seasonality (?) Aug.

References (not structured):
Essink, K., & Kleef, H.L. 1993. Distribution and life cycle of the North American spionid
polychaete Marenzelleria viridis in the Ems estuary. In: Proceedings of the 21st Symposium
of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association held in Ghent, 9-14 September 1991.
Marine and estuarine gradients (ECSA 21), ed. by P. Meire & M. Vincx. Netherlands
Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 27: 237-246.
Bochert R., Zettler M.L. & A. Bochert (1996). Variation in the reproductive status, larval occurrence and recruitment
in an estuarine population of Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta : Spionidae). Ophelia 45 (2): 127-142.

Comments:
The species lives approximately three years attaining maturity after one year. Breeding in the SE Baltic takes place in the autumn.
Migration pattern (?) Not entered
Population status (?) Established (Low level of certainty)

References (not structured):
Schiedek D (1999) Ecophysiological capability of Marenzellaria populations inhabiting North Sea estuaries: an overview. Helgolander Meeresunterers. 52: 373-382.
Species status (?) Non-indigenous species

References (not structured):
Atkins, S.M., Jones, A.M., Garwood, P.R. 1987. The ecology and reproductive cycle of a population of Marenzelleria viridis (Annelida: Polychaeta: Spionidae) in the Tay Estuary. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 92B, 311-322.
ICES 2005. Report of the Working Group on the Introduction and Transfers of Marine Organisms (WGITMO) by correspondence. ICES CM 2005/ACME05. 173pp.
Sikorski, A.V. and A. Bick, A., 2004. Revision of Marenzelleria Mesnil, 1896 (Spionidae, Polychaeta). SARSIA vol 89(4): 253-275.
Daunys, D.; Zettler, M.L.; Gollasch, S. (1999). Marenzelleria cf. viridis (Verrill, 1873) Annelida, Polychaeta, Spionidae, in: Gollasch, S. et al. (Ed.) (1999). Exotics across the ocean. Case histories on introduced species: their general biology, distribution, range expansion and impact: prepared by Members of the European Union Concerted Action on testing monitoring systems for risk assessment of harmful introductions by ships to European waters (MAS-CT-97-0111). pp. 61-67

Comments:
The species is locally established and may be confused with M. wireni. Distinctions betwen the two species can be found at Daunys et al. (1999).
Created byDan Minchin, 2012-03-07
Last update byDan Minchin, 2013-03-12

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