Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: East Point, Nahant/MA/Massachusetts Bay (spring 1983, Allmon and Sebens 1988, reached high densities in 1985, disappeared by summer of 1986, no further records);
Geographic Extent
East Point, Nahant/MA/Massachusetts Bay (spring 1983, Allmon and Sebens 1988, reached high densities in 1985, disappeared by summer of 1986, no further records);
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Alternate | Hull Fouling |
| Alternate | Ballast Water |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Predation | |
| During its brief peak of abundance, T. plebeia eliminated soft corals (Alcyonium siderium) from rock walls at several sites. Predation by the nudibranch facilitated further predation by sea urchins (Strongylocentrus droebachiensis) by opening up space, permitting urchins to move into the coral-dominated areas and eat most of the remaining corals (Allmon and Sebens 1988). | ||