Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record? SC/Charleston Harbor (Byers et al. 2012, 32.7515, 79.9030; 32.7707, 79.9513; 32.7866, 79.8946)
Geographic Extent
SC/Charleston Harbor (Byers et al. 2012, 32.7515, 79.9030; 32.7707, 79.9513; 32.7866, 79.8946; kollars et al. 2015); Fort Johnson, Charleston/SC/Charleston Harbor (Kollars et al. 2016, Gerstenmaier et al. 2016, 32.751305°N, 79.90142°W)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Alternate | Hull Fouling |
| Alternate | Ballast Water |
| Alternate | Natural Dispersal |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Habitat Change | |
| Agarophyton vermiculophyllum created extensive seaweed habitat in Charleston Harbor, Hilton Head, and the Savannah River Delta, by attaching tothe tubes of the polychaete. Diopatra cuprea, providing habitat for invertebrate fauna, especially amphipods and snails (Byers et al. 2012). Gracilaria vermiculophylla enhanced the growth of Diopatra cuprea by attracting amphipods and other prey, who use the seaweeds for shelter (Kollars et al. 2016). Genetic diversity of A. vermiculophylum patches did not affect the density or diversity of epifauna or epiphytes in Charleston Harbor (Gerstermaier et al. 2016). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Food/Prey | |
| Agarophyton vermiculophyllum created greatly increase seaweed biomass in Charleston Harbor, Hilton Head, and the Savannah River Delta, and rapidly decayed, providing a potential food source for invertebrates and microbes in the mudflats (Byers et al. 2012). | ||