Species Regional Summary
Clymenella torquata
_CDA_P293 (Strait of Georgia) ( P293 )

Invasion History Vectors Impacts References

Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Blanchard/WA/Samish Bay (Blanchard/WA/Samish Bay (2006, Davis 2007; Mach et al. 2012, present for several years before 2006).

Geographic Extent

(Blanchard/WA/Samish Bay (2006, Davis 2007; Mach et al. 2012, present for several years before 2006).

Vectors

Level Vector
Alternate Oyster Accidental

Regional Impacts

Economic ImpactFisheries
In Samish Bay, WA high densities of Clymenella torquata have altered the texture of mudflats, releasing fine excreted feces, turning mid-sand tidelands into soft muck. The suspended sediments are detrimental to Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) being cultivated in the Bay (Davis 2007; Hancock et al. 2008; Mach et al. 2012). Hancock et al. (2008) tested five control methods: adding shells to sediment, rototilling, hydraulic pumping, covering, and compression for reducing worm and tube biomass, and increasing sediment firmness. These treatments did not reduce worm abundance, but some of them did increase sediment firmness (Hancock et al. 2008).
 
Ecological ImpactHabitat Change
In Samish Bay, WA high densities of Clymenella torquata have altered the texture of mudflats, creating a spongy texture, due to the tubes, and fine, excreted feces, turning mid-sand tidelands into soft muck. These suspended sediments are detrimental to oysters and to Eelgrass (Zostera marina) (Davis 2007; Hancock et al. 2008; Mach et al. 2012).
 

References

Full Reference List for Clymenella torquata

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