Species Regional Summary
Gonionemus vertens
Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras ( NA-ET3 )

Invasion History Vectors Impacts References

Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Woods Hole/MA/Eel Pond (1894, not seen after eelgrass die-off in 1930, Mayer 1910, 'erratic since eelgrass die-off', Gosner 1978)

Geographic Extent

Woods Hole/MA/Eel Pond (1894, not seen after eelgrass die-off in 1930, Mayer 1910, 'erratic since eelgrass die-off', Gosner 1978, Edwards 1976); Naushon Island/MA/Hadley Harbor (Mayer 1910, Sumner et al. 1913); Vineyard Haven (Mayer 1910); Martha’s Vineyard/MASengekontacket Pond, (1960s, Govindarajan and Carman 2015); Oak Bluffs, Marthas Vineyard/MA/Farm Pond (2006, Friends of Farm Pond 2012); Menemsha, Marthas Vineyard/MA/Menemsha Pond (Vineyard Haven, Friends of Farm Pond 2012); Martha’s Vineyard/MA/Farm, Sengekontacket, Edgartiwn Great Ponds (2018, Carman et al. 2019); Mashpee/MA/Hamblin and Jehu Ponds (1990s, Govindarajan and Carman 2015, severe stings reported); South Cape Beach State Park, Mashpee/MA/Sedge Lot Pond (7/2010, Kehrl 2010); Vineyard Haven, Marthas Vineyard/MA/Vineyard Haven (Sumner et al. 1913); Muskeget Island/MA/Vineyard Sound (Sumner et al. 1913); Southold, Long Island/MY/Cedar Beach Creek (2011, Govindarajan and Carman 2015, severe stings not reported); Waterford/CT/Niantic River (Mayer 1910); Point Pleasant Canal/NJ/Manasquan River (6/6/2016, Gaynor et al. 2016, 1 specimen?); Monmouth Beach/NJ/Shrewsbury River (6/8/2016, Gaynor et al. 2016); near Point Pleasant Canal/NJ/Barnegat Bay (6/10/2016, Goldman 2016, 1 specimen?)

Vectors

Level Vector
Alternate Oyster Accidental
Alternate Hull Fouling
Alternate Ballast Water

Regional Impacts

Economic ImpactHealth
This medusa has stung researchers working in Farm Pond and Menemsha Pond, Martha's Vineyard, MA (Friends of Farm Pond 2011), and Sedge Lot Pond, in Mashpee, MA (Kehrl 2010). Some of these people suffered muscle cramps, chest tightness, and swollen throats, and received hospital treatment (Kehrl 2010).
 

References

Full Reference List for Gonionemus vertens

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