Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: WA/Bellingham Bay (1926, Carlton 1979; Byers 1999)
Geographic Extent
WA/ Samish Bay (1924, Carlton 1979); WA/Bellingham Bay (1926, Carlton 1979; Byers 1999); WA/Chuckanut Bay (1976, Carlton 1979); WA/Padilla Bay (1960, Wonham et al. 2005; Riggs 2011)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Oyster Accidental |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Habitat Change | |
| In Padilla Bay, Washington, Batillaria attramentaria was shown to alter habitats in several ways that had positive effects on native species. The numerous dead shells provided habitat for attachment or shelter for the introduced slipper shell Crepidula convexa, the anemone Diadumene lineata, and the native hermit crabs Pagurus hirsutiusculus and P. granosimanus. In manipulative experiments, the introduced seagrass Zostera japonica increased in the presence of B. attramentaria. The increase in Z. japonica probably results from bioturbation, modifying oxygen and nutrient concentrations in sediment (Wonham et al. 2005). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Trophic Cascade | |
| In manipulative experiments, the introduced snail Nassarius fraterculus increased in the presence of B. attramentaria. The increase in N. fraterculus may result from differential grazing by B. attramentaria, resulting in increasing microalgae favored by N. fraterculus (Wonham et al. 2005). | ||