AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Ficopomatus enigmaticus [WoRMS] | |
Authority | (Fauvel, 1923) | |
Family | Serpulidae | |
Order | Sabellida | |
Class | Polychaeta | |
Phylum | Annelida | |
Synonym (?) | Mercierella enigmatica (Fauvel, 1923) Phycopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923) |
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Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Country: Australia References (not structured): Zibrowius, H., & Thorp, C.H. 1989. A review of the alien serpulid and spirorbid solychaetes in the British Isles. Cahiers de Biologie Marine,30: 271-285. Comments: Recent Australian literature lists Ficopomatus enigmaticus as introduced, and the best conclusion is that it is clearly southern hemisphere in origin (L. McCann & J. Carlton pers. comm.) - From: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1700 (Accessed July 2012) |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
Comments: Larvae are brooded before release to a planktonic stage for some months. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
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Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous References: Obenat SM, Pezzani SE (1994) Life Cycle and Population Structure of the Polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Serpulidae) in Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon, Argentina. Estuaries 17: 263-270. Comments: The life cycle of this species can be summarized as follows: annual iteroparous-1 to 2 batches of small eggs per female during each lifespan, free spawning, planktotrophic larvae, sedentary suspension-feeder worms. |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Obenat SM, Spivak E, Orensanz JM, (2006) Reproductive biology of the invasive reef-forming serpulid, Ficopomatus enigmaticus, in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, 49(4):263-271 Comments: F. enigmaticus has separate sexes but there is evidence of protandric hermaphrodism. True gonads are absent and the germ cells are produced by a germinal epithelium associated with genital blood vessels in the intersegmental septa. |
Developmental trait (?) | Planktotrophy Spawning References: Wilson WH (1991) Sexual reproductive modes in Polychaetes: classification and diversity. Bull Mar Sci 48(2): 500-516. Obenat SM, Spivak E, Orensanz JM, (2006) Reproductive biology of the invasive reef-forming serpulid, Ficopomatus enigmaticus, in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, 49(4):263-271 Comments: This species has external fertilization and spawning occurs through the specialized ducts in abdominal setigers of both males and females |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Olivier SR, Escofet A, Penchaszadeh P, Orensanz JM (1972) [English title not available]. (Estudios ecológicos de la región estuarial de Mar Chiquita (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Relaciones tróficas interespecíficas) Anales de la Sociedad Científica Argentina, 194:89-104 Comments: F. enigmaticus is a filter feeding organism that mainly feeds on phytoplankton and other detritus in suspension. They are seston feeders in brackish to hypersaline sheltered environments, usually estuaries and lagoons. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
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Salinity tolerance range (?) | Venice system: 4. β-Mesohaline [5-10psu] 5. α-Mesohaline [10-18psu] 6. Polymixohaline [18-30psu] 7. Euhaline [30-40psu] References: Paavola M, Olenin S, Leppäkoski E (2005) Are invasive species most successful in habitats of low native species richness across European brackish water seas? Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 64(4), 738-750 References: Rasmussen E (1958) Emigranter i Kobenhavs Sydhavn. Naturens Verden 1958: 3-8 |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Autogenic ecosystem engineers Keystone species Comments: Ecosystem engineer F. enigmaticus is an invasive, ecosystem engineering, brackish-water serpulid polychaete that builds calcareous aggregates in estuarine and coastal environments within subtropical/temperate areas throughout the world. This species has a fast growth rate, high tolerance to variable environmental conditions, and it is causing important ecological impacts in several regions by modifying the ecological and the physical processes of the ecosystems. It creates hard substrate in soft-bottoms environments. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Unknown Comments: Not available. |
Known human health impact? | Not known Comments: Not available. |
Known economic impact? | Known References: AquaNIS. Editorial Board, 2015. Information system on Aquatic Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Species. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.corpi.ku.lt/databases/aquanis. Version 2.36+. Accessed 2021-09-01. Gollasch S, Macdonald E, Belson S, Botnen H, Christensen JT, Hamer JP, Houvenaghel G, Jelmert A, Lucas I, Masson D, McCollin T, Olenin S, Persson A, Wallentinus I, Wetsteyn LPMJ, Wittling T (2002) Life in Ballast Tanks In: Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impact and management. Leppäkoski, E., S. Gollasch & S. Olenin (eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers: 217-231 http://www.corpi.ku.lt/nemo/aqua_app_gollasch.pdf Sorokin YI; Sorokin PY; Zakuskina OY; Dallocchio Franco, 2004. Features of hypereutrophic Molino lagoon ecosystem dominated by sedentary polychaetes. Hydrobiologia, 518:189-200. Streftaris N; Zenetos A, 2006. Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean -the 100 'Worst Invasives' and their Impact. Mediterranean Marine Science, 7(1):87-118. Thomas NS; Thorp CH, 1994. Cyclical changes in the fauna associated with tube aggregates of Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel). Mémoires de Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 162:575-584. Zibrowius, H., & Thorp, C.H. 1989. A review of the alien serpulid and spirorbid solychaetes in the British Isles. Cahiers de Biologie Marine,30: 271-285. Comments: One of the major fouling agents on artificial surfaces obstructing managment of ports and ships (Streftaris and Zenetos, 2006). |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Known References: AquaNIS. Editorial Board, 2015. Information system on Aquatic Non-Indigenous and Cryptogenic Species. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.corpi.ku.lt/databases/aquanis. Version 2.36+. Accessed 2021-09-01. Gollasch S, Macdonald E, Belson S, Botnen H, Christensen JT, Hamer JP, Houvenaghel G, Jelmert A, Lucas I, Masson D, McCollin T, Olenin S, Persson A, Wallentinus I, Wetsteyn LPMJ, Wittling T (2002) Life in Ballast Tanks In: Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impact and management. Leppäkoski, E., S. Gollasch & S. Olenin (eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers: 217-231 http://www.corpi.ku.lt/nemo/aqua_app_gollasch.pdf Sorokin YI; Sorokin PY; Zakuskina OY; Dallocchio Franco, 2004. Features of hypereutrophic Molino lagoon ecosystem dominated by sedentary polychaetes. Hydrobiologia, 518:189-200. Streftaris N; Zenetos A, 2006. Alien Marine Species in the Mediterranean -the 100 'Worst Invasives' and their Impact. Mediterranean Marine Science, 7(1):87-118. Thomas NS; Thorp CH, 1994. Cyclical changes in the fauna associated with tube aggregates of Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel). Mémoires de Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 162:575-584. Zibrowius, H., & Thorp, C.H. 1989. A review of the alien serpulid and spirorbid solychaetes in the British Isles. Cahiers de Biologie Marine,30: 271-285. Comments: Competition, habitat alteration (Thomas and Thorp, 1994; Sorokin et al., 2004). |
Included in the Target Species list? | Yes Comments: Assessed by the COMPLETE project experts (2021), included in target species list. |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Ballast waters Biofouling References: Gollasch S, Macdonald E, Belson S, Botnen H, Christensen JT, Hamer JP, Houvenaghel G, Jelmert A, Lucas I, Masson D, McCollin T, Olenin S, Persson A, Wallentinus I, Wetsteyn LPMJ, Wittling T (2002) Life in Ballast Tanks In: Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impact and management. Leppäkoski, E., S. Gollasch & S. Olenin (eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers: 217-231 http://www.corpi.ku.lt/nemo/aqua_app_gollasch.pdf |
Last update by | Monika Pelėdienė, 2022-01-18 |