Species Regional Summary
Didemnum vexillum
Northern California to Mid Channel Islands ( NEP-V )

Invasion History Vectors Impacts References

Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: CA/San Francisco Bay (1993, USGS Woods Hole Science Center 2006)

Geographic Extent

CA/Bodega Bay (2003, Bullard et al. 2007; 2011, California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2014); Mason's Marina/CA/Bodega Harbor (2004, de Rivera et al. 2005a); Porto Bodega Marina/CA/Bodega Harbor (2004, de Rivera et al. 2005a); CA/Tomales Bay (2001, Bullard et al. 2007; 2011, California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2014); Drake's Bay Oyster Farm/CA/Drake's Estero (2010, Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 10/15/2012); Clark/CA/Tomales Bay (2004, de Rivera et al. 2005a); Marshall/CA/Tomales Bay (2004, de Rivera et al. 2005a); Miller Park/CA/Tomales Bay (2004, deRivera et al. 2005a); Sacramento Landing/CA/Tomales Bay (2004, deRivera et al. 200a5); Thomas Station/CA/Tomales Bay (2004, de Rivera et al. 2005a); CA/San Francisco Bay (1993, USGS Woods Hole Science Center 2006); Sausalito/CA/San Francisco Bay (2000); Hunters Point/CA/San Francisco Bay (Ruiz et al., unpublished data); Port of San Francisco/CA/San Francisco Bay (Ruiz et al., unpublished data); Richmond Marina, Richmond/CA/San Francisco Bay(Ruiz et al., unpublished data; 2010, Marrafini et al. 2017); Treasure Island/CA/San Francisco Bay (Ruiz et al., unpublished data); San Francisco Marina, Richmond/CA/San Francisco Ba y(Ruiz et al., unpublished data; 2010, Marrafini et al. 2017); San Leandro Marina, Richmond/CA/San Francisco Ba y(Ruiz et al., unpublished data; 2010, Marrafini et al. 2017); Treasure Island/CA/San Francisco Bay (Ruiz et al., unpublished data); Pier 39, San Francisco/CA/San Francisco Bay (2004, Cohen et al. 2005)a; Presidio Yacht Club, San Francisco/CA/Golden Gate (2004, Cohen et al. 2005)a; San Mateo Bridge Pylon/CA/South San Fracisco Bay (Cohen et al. 2005b); CA/Halfmoon Bay (1997, Bullard et al. 2007); CA/Elkhorn Slough (1998, USGS Woods Hole Science Center; Bullard et al. 2007); Moss Landing/CA/Elkhorn Slough (2003, de Rivera et al. 2005a; 2011, California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2014); CA/Morro Bay (2000, Bullard et al. 2007; Needles 2007; 2011, California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2014); Port San Luis/CA/Pacific Ocean (2002, Bullard et al. 2007)

Vectors

Level Vector
Alternate Hull Fouling
Alternate Fisheries Accidental (not Oyster)
Alternate Oyster Accidental

Regional Impacts

Ecological ImpactCompetition
Didemnum vexillum was one of several invasive fouling species which showed increased growth (% coverage) at temperatures 3.5 and 4.5⁰C above the ambient temperature in Bodega Harbor (13.5⁰C), while the native Distaplia occidentalis showed reduced survival (Sorte et al. 2010). Didemnum vexillum was one of a group of seven non-native species, most of which were rare or absent in 1970-1971, but were among the eight most abundant species in 2005-2009. Spawning periods and abundance of species in this group appeared to be favored by a 1⁰C increase in average temperatures at this site over a 30-year period (Sorte and Stachowicz 2011). Didemnum vexillum overgrowth had a modest effect on the growth of eelgrass (Zostera marina) blades in mesocosms filled with water from Tomales Bay (Long and Grosholz 2015).
 
Ecological ImpactHabitat Change
Didemnum vexillum faciltated growth of invertebrates (polychaetes and tanaids) on eelgrass blades (Long and Grosholz 2015)
 

References

Full Reference List for Didemnum vexillum

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